Chapter 33 discussion

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 184922

> Catlady: 
> I knew it was going to be LOLLIPOPS, but I still *wish* it had been
> Snape reaching a philosophical conclusion that murder is evil and
> bigotry against Muggleborns is stupid. I had long wondered what was
> DD's absolute proof that Snape was on his side, and the silver doe
> Patronus was it for LOLLIPOPS!Snape, and I still can't think what it
> would be for conscience!Snape. 

Zara:
It seems you believe that ALbus knew the form of Snape's Patronus. 
What greates this impression for you? I walked away from "The 
Prince's Tale" with the impression he might not have known this until 
Snape showed it to him in their conversation following the argment in 
the Forest. Albus's reactions ("After all these years?") suggested to 
me this was news to him. If they'd been routinely using it to 
communicate, I would find this an odd response. It would mean, 
somehow, that Albus knew the form but had never particualrly 
considered what this betokened abotu Snape's current emotions/motives.

If I am right, the patronus is not the absolute proof. (Because Albus 
referred to having such proof, long before he knew about the doe). SO 
my answer to the "LOLLIPOPS" proof is he saw Snape's terror for Lily, 
and his remorse over her death, and witnessed his dedication as a 
spy, and this sum total just made sense in a way that Albus 
considered rock solid. This, of course, would also be the proof 
for "conscience!Snape", as you term it.

Personally, I don't see these "versions" of Snape as mutually 
exclusive.