Snape, Apologies, and Redemption--Lupin vs. DD

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 152685

> 
> Lanval:
> Well, see, I'm a bit nitpicky that way. When people claim that 
> Snape 'repeatedly' saves Harry's and DD's life, then no -- once is 
> not enough. 

Leslie41:

Okay, here's one more.  He prevents the other Death Eaters from 
killing Harry at the end of HPB.  We could argue about "why," of 
course, depending on whether or not he's DDM, but he does it.  

Need more?

Lanval: 
> And I don't really think of myself as a Snape Hater (though 
> everyone is free to call me that, of course...*g*). I merely 
> dislike him. And I'm unhappy with a certain part of fandom that 
> gives Snape a pass where he doesn't deserve it.

Leslie41:
I personally don't think I'm giving him a "pass."  I have sound 
reasons for why I believe what I believe about him, why I accord him 
the respect and admiration I think he *deserves*.  

Many people seem to have the idea that if someone isn't likeable, 
they cannot be admirable or good.  Niceness and likability are not at 
all related to whether or not a human being is a person of 
character.    

Snape is a person of character.  But he's not nice.  (And, just for 
the record, I don't like him either.)

> Lanval:
<snip> 
> Just for fun, let's for a moment play alternate universe and 
> imagine the following scenario:
> 
> Sirius follows orders, and obediently stays behind at Grimmauld 
> place, instead of going to the MoM -- but Snape goes, and dies 
> fighting Bellatrix.
> 
> Enter a hapless fan, claiming that "Snape could have done more for 
> Harry".
> 
> Oh dear. Oh my.

But Sirius didn't die "for" Harry. He ends up at the MoM fighting 
Bellatrix.  I don't recall any point then at which he saves Harry 
from anyone or any thing there.  Could be wrong though.  I don't have 
my book here.

Now, he does save Harry (et all) from Lupin in PoA.  That's 
definitely true.  But then Snape tries to save Harry (et al) from 
Lupin there as well.  
 
 
> Lanval:
> 
> If you want to equal "hexing anyone who annoys you" with "social 
> evisceration of the weak, the ugly and the unpopular" then, yeah, I 
> guess it's supported. Personally, I see a world of difference.

Leslie41:
I might agree with you if Black and Potter weren't so preoccupied 
with Snape's unattractiveness, if they didn't make cruel comments 
about Snape's nose, his greasy face, his hair, etc.  They relish in 
the fact that Snape is profoundly ugly.  As much as they relish in 
the fact that they are beautiful.  

If you are expecting me to believe that this kind of behavior stops 
with Severus Snape, and Black and Potter are kind and generous souls 
with regard to every other greasy ugly teen that crosses their 
blessed path, I would say that you're probably someone who never went 
to high school. 

> Lanval:
> And I tend to be very wary of this kind of exaggeration. There's so 
> much of it out in Fandom. Like those who firmly believe that the 
> Marauders gang-raped Snape on a regular basis...

Leslie41:
Ha!  I think they'd probably all have committed suicide rather than 
do that!  :^)

 
> Lanval:
> But I can't blame Sirius for his attitude towards Kreacher. It 
> wasn't smart, but it was understandable. One hardly needs to have 
> a "mean streak" to get crotchety with that particular elf.

Leslie41:
Agreed.  But you did ask...