Snape's true love

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 161061

Carol
> As for Severus's hatred of James relating to Lily, weren't they
> enemies from their first year onward? The enmity seems to predate any
> attraction Teen!James might have had to Lily. I think what *really*
> made Severus hate James, even more than the Pensieve incident, was
> that James saved his life. How humiliating to be so deeply indebted 
to
> your enemy!

wynnleaf
It's possible that it's a combination of reasons for hatred and that 
it is somewhat mirrored by Harry's reasons for hating Snape.

Snape and James hated each other from 1st year at Hogwarts.  Then 
James saved Snape's life, but Snape wanted to blame it on the idea 
that James *had* to do it to keep himself and his friends out of so 
much trouble.  Let us suppose that Snape cared for Lily (friendship or 
more?). Later, however, Snape's own actions in taking the prophecy to 
Voldemort caused the Potters to be targeted.  In deep regret and in an 
effort to protect Lily, Snape turns to the Order, becomes a spy, etc.  
At one point a spy (perhaps Snape) brings word that the Potters are 
likely being betrayed by a friend.  But James disregards this and 
trusts a friend who ultimately does betray him.  Snape's original 
hatred of James grows even more.  Rather than focus on his own guilt 
in taking the prophecy to Voldemort, Snape transfers the guilt to 
James and his mistakenly trusting his friend, thereby giving him even 
more reasons to hate James.  He further expands that hatred to include 
James' son.

Similarly, Harry hates Snape from 1st year on.  Snape saves Harry's 
life, but Harry refuses to feel the slightest gratitude for it -- 
blaming Snape's action on the fact that Snape perhaps had to in order 
to fulfill a life-debt, or maybe just to keep Dumbledore happy with 
him.  Harry continues to hate Snape.  In OOTP Harry's own actions and 
mistakes take him to the MOM and ultimately result in Sirius' coming 
to the rescue and getting killed.  Harry transfers whatever guilt he 
feels for his involvment in the death of someone he loves, to Snape 
and blames him for Sirius' death, thereby intensifying his hatred of 
Snape.

Now, as JKR has said, Snape's AKing of Dumbledore as made Harry's 
hatred of Snape even more personal.  She obviously *wants* this 
personal hatred to occur between the characters.

Snape hated James and refused to feel gratitude for James saving his 
life.  Harry hates Snape and refused to feel gratitude for Snape 
saving his life.  Snape (possibly) blames James for Lily's death, 
rather than focus on his own actions in the situation.  Harry blames 
Snape for Sirius' death rather than focus on his own actions.  
(Possibly both are more focused on the guilt of each other, and 
escaping their own guilt, rather than Voldemort's part in it.)  

Snape's hatred of James intensified as he blamed James for Lily's 
death (theorizing obviously). Harry's hatred for Snape intensified as 
he blamed him for Sirius' death, and now for Dumbledore's death.  

Snape has gone a step further by extending his hatred to James' son 
Harry.  But I wouldn't be surprised that if Snape had a son Harry's 
age, Harry would hate him, too -- just because I think their hatreds 
are so alike.

I think JKR will want to have Harry deal with this hatred *prior* to 
allowing Harry to destroy Voldemort. And I don't think it's going to 
be something easy like just acknowledging Snape's loyalty after Snape 
gives his life to save Harry -- no "gosh, he was really loyal after 
all.  I guess I should forgive him."  Nope, too easy.  I expect Harry 
to have to deal with his hatred of a living, breathing Snape -- not 
the sacrificial dead body.  I have no guesses on whether or not JKR 
will have Snape deal with his own hatred, but I'm certain she'll have 
Harry deal with it.

wynnleaf