The Continuing Tragedy of Severus Snape: Will Snape live or die and why?

[Ronin_47]

No: HPFGUIDX 164584

leslie:
  <<The situation surrounding his death will cause Harry to forgive him (Snape will save someone, or his death will prove somehow he was 
  loyal to DD). >>

  <<One of the reasons I admire Snape so is that he is capable of doing the right thing even though it brings him little praise and even less joy. >>
    
  _

First, I'd like to say hello to everyone. I am new to the group but a long time HP fan. I have pre-ordered DH from Amazon the day it was announced and can't wait until July.

I am also a Snape supporter, but I only partially agree with the comments from leslie41.

I'm not sure how I feel about Snape dying to save Harry. He may be a casualty in DH, but I have some theories on how Harry may come to trust him. In keeping up with the comments and clues from JKR in her interviews, she mentions that something will come to light about Lily Potter that we never knew. I've noticed that Snape hates James, Sirius and Lupin, but never really says anything much about Lily. So, my theory is that perhaps Snape was in love with Lily or they may have even had a relationship at one time before James and Lily began dating in their 7th year. 

This would explain a lot about why Snape hated James so much and why he protects Harry even though he hates part of him. I'm sure he sees James in Harry, but also knows that part of him is all that's left of Lily.  It may also be that Lily's murder at the hands of Voldemort, was what caused Snape to leave the Deatheaters and join the order. Dumbledore may be the only one whom Snape confided in about Lily and that may be why he trusts Snape.

My hope is that in his haste to leave Hogwarts, the pensieve holding Snape's memories was left behind and Harry learns more about Snape through this. There was a major breakthrough when Harry saw Snape's memories before in OotP. Harry can identify with Snape and after seeing him bullied, he even questioned who James really was.

I don't doubt that James and Lily are Harry's parents. Even though there has been speculation that Harry was actually Dumbledore's or Voldemort's son, these theories have been confirmed as false by JKR. Harry looks too much like James and Lily to have been parented by someone else, but I do think that Snape's love of Lily is what drives this part of the story. That is the unknown power of love that Voldemort hasn't learned which may be his undoing.

If anyone is to die to save Harry, I would expect Wormtail, since he owes Harry a life debt. Aunt Petunia also has secrets which we have not yet discovered. So based on things that JKR has slipped us in her interviews, I think that one of those two may die or surprise us somehow in helping Harry.
   
Finally, I agree that Snape shows extreme discipline in doing what he does in such a thankless role. He must be driven by something very deep. To murder the one person who showed him any trust, friendship or respect over the last 15 years must have stung pretty badly. But he still managed it and saved Draco and Harry. Whether it was planned in advance or not, it must've been very difficult to handle. I also agree that Snape would crush Luscious Malfoy. I'd rather Harry, Ron or Hermione had at him though.

Cheers,
Ronin