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

[littleleahstill]

No: HPFGUIDX 152711

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" 
<justcarol67 at ...> wrote:
>
> Alla:
> > > If you can show me that Snape never killed, tortured , 
>poisoned  people while being in Voldemort's employ, I will 
>absolutely say that he is not responsible for the acts of other  
>DE, just for his own, but I think he has plenty of blood on his 
>hands, NOT just by association.

(snipping)

> Carol responds:
> The thing is, Alla, you know that we can't show you what Snape 
>didn't do. It's simply not possible to do that. But it's also 
impossible to show at this point what he did do (with a few small 
>exceptions) and any judgment that he has murdered or tortured 
>others simply because he was a DE must be based on assumption. 

(snipping)

> JKR has had numerous opportunities to tell us what Snape did as a 
>DE, but aside from the eavesdropping incident, she has told us 
>nothing. We know only what others say he didn't do or fail to say 
>that he did do. Annoying and frustrating for people on both sides 
>of the question, but not at all enlightening.

Leah chips in;

I've been trying to keep out of this one, but I thought the 
following might be helpful, from JKR's 2004 talk at the Edinburgh 
Book Festival:

"Q: Apart from Harry, Snape is my favourite character because he is 
so complex and I just love him. Can he see the Thestrals, and if so, 
why? Also, is he a pure blood wizard?

JKR: Snape's ancestry is hinted at. He was a Death Eater, so clearly 
he is no Muggle born, because Muggle borns are not allowed to be 
Death Eaters, except in rare circumstances. You have some 
information about his ancestry there. He can see Thestrals, but in 
my imagination most of the older people at Hogwarts would be able to 
see them because, obviously, as you go through life you do lose 
people and understand what death is. But you must not forget that 
Snape was a Death Eater. He will have seen things that
 "

I note here that the answer is that he has 'seen' rather than done.  
This would suggest to me that Snape has not used an AK for example.  
However, it is implied that he has been present when some pretty 
unpleasant things have been done that have resulted in death, so 
there must be some guilt at least by association. The words 'Snape 
was a Death Eater' to me imply that these things happened when Snape 
was a DE of his own volition, rather than as DDM.

Carol again;

> What we *do* have evidence for in HBP is Snape's heretofore
> unsuspected gifts as a Healer. Maybe, just maybe, Harry isn't the 
>only one with a "saving people thing." That's the Snape angle I 
>hope to see more of in Book 7.

Leah: I agree completely that Snape as Healer was a fascinating 
addition, and is one of the things that go to convince me that Snape 
is not on LV's side.  I found the healing of Draco quite moving.  
However, continuing her answer to the question above, JKR said,

"Why do you love him? Why do people love Snape? I do not understand 
this. Again, it's bad boy syndrome, isn't it? It's very depressing. 
[Laughter]. One of my best friends watched the film and she 
said, "You know who's really attractive?" I said, "Who?" She 
said, "Lucius Malfoy!""

I find this answer quite depressing, because it makes me feel that 
JKR's view of Snape is most closer to Alla's, than it is to mine or 
Carol's.   I wonder if she is being deliberately obtuse here, 
because the questioner makes quite clear why she (I assume it's a 
she from the answer), loves Snape: it is because he is such a 
complex and interesting character.  There may be a bit of bad boy 
syndrome in there, (Sexy!Snape), but that's not enough. I have very 
little interest in discussing Draco or his father at length, however 
attractive Jason Isaacs may be (I'm far too old for Tom Felton). I 
just get the feeling that Snape is a character that's run away from 
his creator- but then, what's with the healing; why make him more 
complex than ever?    

 
> Carol, wishing that JKR would write an eighth book, "The 
Autobiography
> of Severus Snape"

Leah:

Me too! (reaches for iron).

Leah