Harry and Snape's Salvation (Re: No progress for Slytherin?)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 173944

Lupinlore: 
> > > So, in that sense, Harry could be a savior to Snape in that he
> > > offers an opportunity for salvation.  But, as shown in the scene
> > > where Snape reveals his patronus, the damage and bitterness and
> > > hate and cruelty run too deep for salvation.  Snape cannot find 
> > > it within himself to embrace the salvation Harry represents, 
> > > and thus it remains a door never opened.
 
Jen: 
> > And yet, that bitter person helped save Harry's life and defeat 
> > Voldemort, thus saving thousands of lives.  It seems like Snape 
> > would be a selfish to work on 'saving' himself when he can do 
> > more trying to help Harry rid the world of the current evil. 

Nora: 
> I don't see why it has to be an either/or situation.  For instance,
> with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I really do believe that
> Dumbledore was setting up a situation for Harry and Snape to
> understand each other better back in OotP.  Now, *if* Snape had been
> able (or really wanted to, in my opinion) to deal with some of his
> bitterness there, see who Harry actually is, ask him about his
> reaction, etc. etc. etc. all of those things which would open the
> door, the plot and especially the denoument of the book could have
> been much different.  Arguably, Harry would have had more support 
> and Voldemort could have been fought more effectively earlier on.


SSSusan:
What a fascinating discussion. :)

Heck yes, the ending would've been different if Snape had done this!  
But I'm not at all sure that Snape ever could have shown more of 
himself to Harry until the very end.  Can anyone actually imagine him 
able to do so?

He *might* have been able to get to know Harry better, I suppose... 
but was he capable?  Was he in control of himself (his emotions, his 
bitterness & resentment, his responses to each of the Potters) enough 
to make the effort?  I doubt it.  

And honestly, without some ability to lead in that direction and 
without an ability/willingness to reciprocate on Snape's part, I 
can't imagine Harry would trust Snape enough to do any revealing of  
himself either.

I know what you're saying about DD, and that might well have been his 
intention or his hope.  But I don't think there was a chance in hell 
of its ever having played out that way.  

Siriusly Snapey Susan