Snape and Petunia/ Snape and Lily

[Szehms]

No: HPFGUIDX 155631

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "katssirius" <katbofaye at ...>
wrote:
>
> So I was just re reading JKR's quotes at Madam Scoop on the topic
of
> Snape and it occured to me that maybe it is Petunia instead of Lily
> that was in love with Snape.  It would explain why Petunia would
hate
> both the magic and the boy that broke her heart as well as the
reasons
> for disliking James Potter et al.  Lily would be kind to her
sister's
> boyfriend.  Dumbledore calls Petunia by her first name.  The only
> people he does this with are people he knew as students.  Since we
know
> Petunia is not a witch he must have known her at least as a child
to
> use her given name.  He is obsessively old world in that regard.
> Petunia shares Snape's close feelings for Harry as well.  The
question
> as to how they would ever have met well I haven't a clue.  However
I
> also haven't a clue why Dumbledore would have met her and known her
> early and well enough to call her Petunia and yet he does.
>
>

I completely agree, Last year after re-reading OOTP Petunia's "that
awful boy" comment really stood out, I realized that Harry assumes
and through the "Harry filter" we assume that Petunia is talking
about James, but after reading HBP I began to think she was in fact
referring to Snape.
The reason the "awful boy" comment could be significant IMO is
because the Snape/ Lily connection rather than the Snape/Petunia
connection.
If Snape came to the Evans home perhaps he and Lily were closer than
has been let on...NOT A LOVE CONNECTION...but a respectful personal
relationship (keeping in mind how socially awkward Snape is I mean
personal in the loosest sense of the word).

When in HBP Harry wants to know why DD trusted Snape, DD pauses
reflecting if he should tell Harry, we know he decides that he can't
do so, I think DD could not reveal the reason because it involved
Lily.  I think Snape's greatest regret involves endangering Lily.

I think JKR has brilliantly written the role of Professor Snape,
particularly in HBP. After HBP I think those who think that SNape
is, and has always been, a death eater; and those who think Snape is
loyal to Dumbledore can effectively argue their side with canon
support. I think the character of Snape will be an issue debated
until put to rest in book 7.

 I think Professor Snape is JKR's most complex character. I think
Snape has become a perpetual red herring throughout the series (and
after book 6 this trend continues), primarily because even when he
saves or helps Harry, Hermione, Ron, or a member of the order his
demeanor is so, well repulsive. His loathing of a character we all
love, Harry Potter, makes Snape as a character difficult to like, on
top of that he is rude an hurtful to hermoine, and he relentlessly
torments loveable Neville Longbottom-
Snape's behavior, his prejudices, in conjunction with the fact that
he was (and to some still is) a death eater has made Snape an easy
target to vilify.
 However, I think Snape can indeed be will be redeemed by JKR.

If Snape was always a traitor, then Dumbledore has been played a
fool, and that is a wretched way to end Dumbledore's life-as a great
wizard who in the end has been "hoodwinked" by a repulsive character
like Snape.

I think JKR can turn our opinion  by showing us exactly how Snape
earned Dumbledore's trust and maybe we as readers can, like
Dumbledore, pity and regain trust of Snape once we learn the reason
(which I believe is connected to Lily).

I think he is neither as good as dumbledore, nor is as evil as
Voldemort; I believe it was Lupin who said we cannot classify
wizards into death eaters and non-death eaters, there are shades of
grey.

I think JKR has done a brilliant job conveying the complexity of
Snape's character, and I think she will effortlessly bring the story
full circle.

Scarlett--hoping I didn't stray too far off the subject....