Understanding Snape

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 153502

Nora wrote

> IF Snape is playing two sides against the middle--and thus has both 
> the ability and occasionally the motivation to work for either side--
> THEN there is nothing to contradict the idea that he's generally 
> being a good type in OotP but isn't acting for the good in HBP.  In 
> fact, that did seem the premise of the OP, and an argument which 
> can't either be proven or conclusively refuted at this point, given 
> the lack of information.  

Just prior to reading this post I was considering this option while
watching the POA film.  I don't feel the actions of Snape at the end
of POA (not the film alterations, but the actual book), are indicative
of someone who is playing both sides and basically working for himself.

At the end of POA, when Snape runs from Lupin's office to the Whomping
Willow, he knew that he was going alone to face Sirius -- thought to
be a possibly insane murderer of 13 -- and Lupin who hadn't taken his
Wolfsbane potion and was about to transform.  Yet Snape goes anyway. 
Of course, a "good" Snape might be going to help the children.  A
"bad" Snape might be going to take advantage of an opportunity to do
away with both Sirius and Lupin.  And a "playing both sides" Snape
might be doing the same, since he hated Sirius.

But actually, it makes almost no sense for Snape to put his life at
such great risk from both Sirius and especially Lupin, solely to take
an opportunity to capture or kill a hated school-time rival.  The
degree of risk that Snape willingly takes on can only be explained by
his seeing that the "benefit" of his action was equal to or outweighed
the risk of his own life.  And what could be worth the substantial
risk to his life?  I can't see a "for self only" Snape considering
that the capture of Sirius was worth the risk of his own life at the
teeth and claws of a werewolf.  Nor can I see why a "working for
Voldemort" Snape would consider it worth that risk either.  The only
thing that I can see that could be considered worth the risk Snape
took, would be if Snape was on the good side and was attempting to
save the lives of three others (the children).

I suppose that one might feel that Snape hated Sirius to such a degree
that he'd risk his own life at the teeth of a werewolf in order to get
Sirius, but I just don't think that's the sort of action a
self-serving person would take.  After all, Snape knew for certain
that Lupin was about to change.  The risk was huge that he'd be
dealing with a werewolf.  I can't see a self-serving person taking
such a risk solely to get at Sirius.

wynnleaf (who hopes I got the posting format correct this time!)