Severus Snape

[allthecoolnamesgone]

No: HPFGUIDX 178447

> Amanda wrote:
> >
> > Since I started to re read the books from the begining, I have 
noticed
> > something. She gives a brief glimpse that maybe Severus Snape was 
not
> > exactly who we thought him to be.
> > 
>

Allthecoolnamesgone

Snape was the main example of this, but the technique was used on 
many of the key characters.  My views of James, Sirius, Lupin and 
even Lily underwent major reappraisals as the series drew to its 
close. Dumbledore of course transformed from 'all-knowing', all-
wise,benevolent grandfatherly figure to Macchiavellian chess-master.


 
> Potioncat:
> I'm looking forward to re-reading the series, but I don't plan to 
start 
> until DH dies down a bit. It will be fun to read slowly, knowing 
what I 
> know now and trying to remember what I thought then.

allthecoolnamesgone

I haver re-read the earier books post DH, with particular attention 
to PoA as that was the one where I had the biggest problem with how I 
remembered Snape has behaved. But it was amazing on the re-read to 
see how my view and memory of his actions had been wrong. Nothing he 
did was inconsistent with the final revelation that he had been on 
the side of the good all along.

potioncat 
> I take it that you thought of Snape as "foe" all along. I was one 
of 
> those who thought he was working toward some good purpose. It has 
been 
> fun to read sections and catch the "tricks" that were played on us. 
> Many of his worst moments have been "explained" by his fans---
mainly 
> JustCarol--and I'm eager to see if these explanations will hold up. 
> Many of us thought that he and DD were working closely---almost as 
good 
> cop/bad cop. Now we know DD wasn't working closely with anyone.
>

allthecoolnamesgone.

I ended HBP convinced that Snape was the consummate Double agent and 
had endless (well they seemed it at the time) arguments with my 
teenage son who was firmly in the 'Snape is evil' camp. I did however 
hope against hope that Dumbledore was not dead but would 'do a 
Gandalf' in some way. The Portrait was sufficient for his required 
role in DH though. JKR did do a marvellous job on Snape (until the 
end of DH)in that she did leave just enough doubt of his loyalty, 
even in my mind, to make the revelations of the Princes Tale,for me 
the climax of the books. I am still hurt at the treatment Snape got 
at the end with only the oblique acknowledgement of the epilogue, but 
on the whole my own musings, newsgroups and FanFics have filled the 
gaps she left.

I hope you enjoy your re-readings.