The Continuing Tragedy of Severus Snape: Reflections on Books 1-5

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 164580

> wynnleaf:
> 3.  JKR has had Harry time and again reject Dumbledore's trust in
> Snape.  Therefore Harry, as DDM!Harry, will come to trust DDM!Snape.
> 
> Harry can forgive Snape in a dying!Snape scene.  But it takes time 
to
> build trust.  So I think that Harry will have some time over the
> course of DH to overcome his hatred, forgive Snape, *and* learn to
> trust him.  So no forgiveness while Snape is dying -- it's too 
quick.
> 
> But that doesn't mean Snape will live.
> 
> I am very curious as to what those of you who agree with DDM!Snape
> think.  Will Snape live or die and why?

zgirnius:
You took the words out of my mouth as far as what I think will happen 
with Snape and Harry.

To answer your question: though I would be thrilled to be wrong, I 
expect that Snape will die in DH. Only after, as you say, Harry has 
time to change his mind about him. 

I'm not exactly sure why, it just seems the more powerful ending to 
his story. And, someone is going to. I really do think Rowling's 
comments about killing people off in DH are heartfelt - she wants the 
(I presume) victory to come at a cost. I don't think she'll kill 
Harry. She likes him too much. For the same reason, she's not killing 
off Ron or Hermione or Ginny, because that would be as bad for Harry 
as actually dying, I would think. 

So, I guess I am looking at the characters and trying to see whose 
death, of those I have not already eliminated, would be most 
impactful for Harry and the readers. And I am coming up with Snape, 
assuming I'm right about his story, naturally. Slowly bring the 
readers, along with Harry, to realize that this guy's whole life 
since he 'returned' has been to try and atone for what he did by 
first, trying to save the Potters, and later, trying to protect Harry 
and help in the defeat of Voldemort. And that his life before that 
wasn't much to smile about either. And then, when we and Harry are 
seeing him in a different and far better light, wham, a tragic death. 

Rowling has said that she was really moved by the end of "Tale of Two 
Cities". I fear Snape is her Carton, even if his Lucie is long dead.

Also, I got a really bad feeling from the Unbreakable Vow scene. And 
it was not Dumbledore-centered. Yes, Snape is currently in a tough 
spot, but that fiery rope imagery was just creepy.

Or maybe it's a psychological defense mechanism <bg>. I really don't 
want him to die. This way, if it happens, I am prepared for the worst.

--zgirnius, who will be picking up a precautionary box of Kleenex on 
her way home from the midnight release party at her B&N, early on 
July 22.