Why we're sure that Snape is Evil

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 153861

> >>chrusotoxos:
> > <SNIP>
> > 8. Now, if we accept all this, what good is there in forgiving a
> > good man who made a mistake? 
> > <snip>

> >>Lupinlore:
> I think you are onto something very important here.  Most versions
> of DDM!Snape fail at this point, because it simply doesn't play   
> into a forgiveness and redemption theme very well.
> In most (but not all) versions of DDM!Snape, Snape has been on the
> good side all along.  He has not done anything really bad, or if he
> did it was because he made a mistake and has been atoning for it.
> Therefore, the confrontation with Harry would unfold as Snape
> putting forth his case and Harry reluctantly accepting that "OK,   
> you are a mean SOB but I've been wrong about you and I'm willing   
> to work with you."
> Okay, but where does forgiveness come in, particularly of the
> Christian type being discussed?  Where is the particular Christian
> message in admitting that you have been wrong about someone's
> motivations?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Recognizing that there are quite a few versions of DDM!Snape, I'll 
just speak for myself.  I really see Snape's story being more about 
redemption than forgiveness.

Here's my version of DDM!Snape in a nutshell: I see Snape as having 
made the massive mistake of joining the Death Eaters.  Through his 
actions as part of that crowd he helped bring about the death of 
Lily and James.  I think he recognized his mistake before Lily and 
James died, and he tried to prevent it from happening and failed.  
And I think he's been seeking redemption ever since.  (Though with a 
rather cynical notion that nothing he does will ever fully atone for 
his mistake.)

IMO, this is perfect for a redemption theme because it stresses 
*actions* over *words*.  It calls for Harry to finally recognize the 
actions Snape has taken over the years to try and achieve 
redemption, and (hopefully) for Harry to recognize that Snape has 
redeemed himself.  And, most importantly for Harry, it calls for 
Harry to see beyond the hatred he's amassed for Snape over the years.

You'll note, all of the action here is on Harry's part.  But that's 
because this is Harry's story.  It's Harry who should experience the 
most growth.

> >>Lupinlore: 
> Rather, the forgivness theme means the power of forgiveness for   
> both the one who forgives and the one who is forgiven.  And in    
> order to experience the power of forgiveness, you have to be in   
> the wrong. Not a suffering and misunderstood hero, not a double    
> agent doing the will of good, not someone who made an honest      
> mistake and has been atoning for it -- you have to have done      
> something wrong from which you need to be redeemed.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Enter Draco.  I think that if the theme of forgiveness is played at 
all it will be through Harry forgiving Draco the role he played in 
bringing the Death Eaters into Hogwarts.  And I suspect that this 
will take place early enough in book 7 for Draco to take some sort 
of action on behalf of the Order to show his change of heart to be 
real.

The thing is, Harry has a pretty good idea of who Draco is, 
especially by the end of HBP.  So he's in a better position to 
forgive Draco's actions.  But he's still in the dark on Snape.  His 
hatred blinds him there.  So with Snape I think it has a lot more to 
do with Harry finally seeing the true character of the man, finally 
seeing why it is Dumbledore trusted him so deeply, than with 
forgiveness.  Especially since Snape is such an echo or shadow of 
Harry.  It's like Harry needs to see and understand Snape clearly so 
he can see and understand himself clearly.

Um, I'm not entirely certain how to give that all a Christian spin...

Betsy Hp