What turned Snape (Was: JKR site update SPOILERS)

[luna_loco]

No: HPFGUIDX 159009

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Eddie" <harryp at ...> wrote:
> 
> Eddie:
> I think this touches on a question I've been having: What turned Snape
> against Voldemort?  (If you think Snape was _NOT_ turned, then
> rephrase the question as "What excuse did Snape give Dumbledore as to
> why he turned against Voldemort?")
> 
> My literary sense is that the dramatic tension would be hightened by
> Snape being turned by some event(s) he witnessed at Godrick's Hollow
> on the night of Harry's parents' deaths.  Some have suggested that
> Snape was in love with Lily, and was horrified that Voldy killed her.
>  Yet another reason to have lots of anxiety about Harry.
> 
> But if my memory serves me right, Snape returned to Hogwarts BEFORE
> the Godrick's Hollow incident.  What excuse would Snape have given
> then?  (I think Snape tells Narcissa and Bellatrix that he was already
> spying on Dumbledore by that time.)
> 
> Sorry if this has been answered in other threads, but my search didn't
> find it.  At least not this exactly.
> 
> TIA,
> Eddie
>

Instead of turned or playing a complicated role, another option is
that Snape was maneuvered into some type of magical obligation that
forces certain actions.

Consider the following:
1) Snape had a life-debt to James
2) Snape overheard part of the first prophesy and reported this to
Voldemort.
3) Voldemort killed Lilly and James as part of his response to the
prophecy.

Thus, Snape played a direct and significant part in causing the death
of a person to which he owed a life-debt.

While there is much that we do not know about life-debts and how they
work, it seems that playing a part in causing the death of person owed
a life-debt is very likely to have serious side effects.  One possible
side effect to being magically forced to avenge the death in some
fashion.  It is thus possible that Snape is magically bound to somehow
see that justice is obtained for James.

A magical obligation imposed on Snape against his will could also
explain a number items.  Dumbledore's trust in Snape could be due to
the knowledge the Snape is magically forced to work towards Voldemorts
destruction by the obligation.  Snape's sorrow over Lilly and Jame's
deaths can likewise be explained by Snape realizing that he must now
take a long-term course of action that he might otherwise wished to
avoid, followed by years of bitterness at being bound to this new path
in life.  All in all, a magical obligation would have the power to
create a resentful and conflicted character that is unable to do what
he really wishes but must instead dedicate his life to avenging one of
the people he hated most.

Allen