Headmaster for a day (was Prank WAS :Re: CHAPDISC: DH33, The Princ

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 184974

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at ...> wrote:
>
>  
> > Montavilla47:
> > But isn that Snape?  He's disciplined, controlled, and intellectual 
> > with a very blind spot when it comes to himself.  But, I think that
> > his memories do show that he understands his own culpability 
> > in losing Lily--both times.
> snip 
> > From that point on, his journey is one of slowly (very slowly) 
> > expanding his circle of concern from Lily outwards, until, by 
> > HBP, he's protecting everyone he can from Voldemort.

> Potioncat:
> It seems Snape's mission to protect Lily's son just barely kept him 
> alive. He wears black and lives in a dungeon two-- big hints that he 
> was in mourning and imprisoned emotionally. His occupation--perhaps not 
> one he would have chosen--kept him out of the world most of the year. 
> But even if he had the inclination to move about among people, who 
> could he befriend? 

Montavilla47:
I agree that Snape doesn't have much opportunity to grow--and
I like the symbolism of the black clothing and living in a prison.
(I always imagined a crucifix on his wall and hair shirt and
all that--even before DH came out.)

But he's also put in the position where his job demands that
he take care of children.  Harry's filter doesn't allow for the 
possibility of showing much compassion on Snape's part--
except for the famous "favoritism" he shows his Slytherins,
but I like to think his *professional* care for his students
could have led to a genuine affection for them--and that 
allowed him to get somewhat beyond Lily.

Harry, of course, exists in the deepest part of the psychic wound 
that is Lily, so all he can see is Snape's defense mechanisms.  
He's never in a position to see the positive side.

Potioncat:
> His situation wasn't as bad as Sirius's, but it was similar. He was 
> alone, even among others. If the Potters had lived, both Sirius and 
> Severus would have had the chance to actually grow up. Had Lily lived, 
> Severus would have gotten over her.

Montavilla47:
I like to think so.  Because, frankly, he could have done
*much* better. 

:)