Doing it for Lily? was Re: Snape and Harry and expulsion LONG

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 188907

> > Carol responds:
> > 
> > I think we can rule out that he was doing it for Harry, at least! But I agree with you that it would require mental gymnastics to convince himself that he was doing it for Lily. In effect, DD is now asking him to *stop* protecting Harry, as he has done since Lily's death so that her death will not be in vain, and send Harry to his death.
> 
> Pippin:
> 
> I agree he wouldn't undertake to  convince himself. But, and I realize I am modifying my theory here, I think something happened to convince him. A huge emotional upheaval, a state of such pity and fear that Snape's core assumptions would be shattered and rebuilt. A catharsis.
> 
> So, is there a such a moment  between the time Snape receives Dumbledore's instructions and the time he carries them out? Is there an opportunity for Snape to re-experience the tragedy of Lily's loss? Is there a huge emotional upheaval as a result?
> 
> There sure is -- Lily's letter.

Montavilla47:
Good catch, Pippin.  It bugged me that there *wasn't* some
kind of catalyst event to get Snape from his Protect Harry for
Lily mission to the Save the World mission.

But there is the letter, showing Lily's commitment to the 
cause.  And it's in the book.  Thank goodness.

It's oddly placed, though, isn't it?  It seems out of place 
chronologically.  I always thought that that scene would
be taking place the night of Dumbledore's death--that 
Snape went to the house to hide.

Why would Snape be in the house immediately
following the Seven Potters chase?  Unless maybe he was 
ordered to go there by Voldemort in case Harry showed up.

And it could make emotional sense for Snape to break down
at that point--if you can connect the dots.  Because it's a 
little weird in the text.  Harry identifies George as getting his
ear cut off in the chase memory, which makes it harder to 
remember that at this point, Snape would be seeing *Harry*
getting his ear cut off (due to Snape's blunder).

So, what happens is that Snape is following Dumbledore's
order, but risks his mission to help Lupin out--and then
screws up by harming Lily's son!  Then, for some reason 
he goes to 12 Grimauld Place, where he gets yelled at by 
the dustcloud of Dumbledore--just what he needs when 
he's already feeling like crap--and finds that letter.

So, is he crying in grief, or is it relief that he's now able to 
follow the Save the World mission without betraying Lily?