HBP post DH look Chapters 1-2.

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 184298

lizzyben wrote:
> 
> I kind of think that that was the moment where Snape actually became
genuinely moved by Narcissa's predicament. In DH, we see that Snape
did feel bad for the Malfoys, who had to endure the "slow torture" of
watching Draco fail at his task. Plus, there's also the fact that he
was unable to protect another mother (Lily). Snape was bluffing up 
till then, but when Narcissa tearfully asked for the vow, Snape had a
real emotional reaction. And he genuinely felt compelled to take the
vow to reassure her & protect Draco. It's almost gallant, like a
knight pledging allegiance to his Lady; which is pretty much what he
did with Lily as well. It's that Snape/"Prince" duality. Actually,
looking back now, he's quite kind to Narcissa throughout that chapter.
Pre-DH, we might think that was sarcasm or bluffing, but now I think
it was basically genuine. 

Carol:

The only point on which I ever thought he was bluffing was knowing
about Draco's mission (which I've already discussed in a previous
post). and, of course, he was telling half-truths about his loyalty to
Voldemort (also rhetorical questions and perhaps a few flat-out lies)
to persuade Bellatrix that he was loyal to Voldemort. But he treats
both Bellatrix and Wormtail with cool sarcasm, whereas he's a complete
gentleman to Narcissa throughout. I think, though, that his demeanor
changes from a calm but courteous refusal to help her to a thoughtful
appraisal of the stiuation as he turns away and stares at the curtain.
His words at that point, "I think he means me to do it in the end"
(quoting from memory) suggest that he's thinking not only about
Voldemort but about Dumbledore. And when he sees Narcissa's real
distress, her dependence on him to save Draco, I agree with you that
he's genuinely moved by her plight. Terrible as the Unbreakable Vow is
in its consequences for both Dumbledore and Snape, binding him to a
promise that he's already made against his will, it's still an act of
chivalry for a "damsel" in distress, swearing literally to do what she
wants or die (but, of course, it's also what DD wants). We're seeing
Snape at his best here, his bravest and most gallant. "Perhaps we sort
too soon," Dumbledore says. Snape would have made quite a Gryffindor
had fate and his own inclinations allowed it.

Carol, who now wonders what sort of "Prince" Severus imagined himself
as being when he took that nickname