Ambiguous Snape (was:Sadistic Teachers (was:Re: Teaching Styles)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 148264

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > It could be.  But then I expect JKR is setting up Harry to heal 
> > Snape, to find that lost boy and bring him out.  Which seems a 
> > fairly formidable task, <snip>

> >>a_svirn:
> Not just formidable – entirely futile. You can't bring out someone  
> who is no more. Or do you go with the assumption that Snape conceals 
> more than one personality within himself? Something like horcrux-   
> hidden-in-his-own-body theory? The best one can hope is that Harry   
> brings about yet another change – this time for the better. Not that 
> he's likely to rise to this particular challenge, though. (But then, 
> why should he?)

Betsy Hp:
Just to clarify: I was riffing off of Nora's suggestion (see up-
thread).  I don't really think the good in Snape (represented by the 
boy in the potions text-book) is lost or buried or anything like 
that.  I think Snape has evolved, certainly, but he's still got that 
core to his character that is quite similar to Harry's.  It's what led 
him to the path of redemption he's been walking down for so many 
years, it's what led him to have such a deep loyalty to Dumbledore, 
and, ironically, it's what leads him to judge himself so harshly. 
(Leading to those punishing cross-country runs, the Clash blasting in 
his ipod... hee!)

So I do agree that Harry won't waste his time trying to make Snape 
into something he's not.  Instead, Snape will use all of his strength 
to help Harry become what he must.  Oh my God, the 
humanity!!  ::snuggles Snape some more, with feeling::

At least, that's my opinion.

Betsy Hp