The Overarching message (of the HP books)

[willsonteam]

No: HPFGUIDX 191639

James wrote:
> snip

> It takes very little to see where canon would take someone and saying that a specific act was not mentioned in a kiddies book does not mean it isn't  quite logical that it happened. At least the Brothers Grimm told you what was happening.

Potioncat:
Nothing in canon implies that Snape wanted Lily as a toy--except maybe LV's statement--and we all know how unreliable LV is.

Here's a summary of canon.

When Snape learned that LV was planning to kill the Potters, he asked for Lily to be spared. LV agreed. If it stopped there, I'd say your speculation was credible, but then taking a big risk, Snape went to DD to ask for Lily's protection. His first words were, "Don't kill me!" Obviously he was afraid. DD suggested that Lily's family be protected as well and Snape agreed. DD  asked for payment and Snape agreed to  "anything." He began spying for DD at "great risk"( per DD). When Lily died, Snape was distraught. However he agreed to protect her son from LV and again put himself at great risk to do so. 

In a conversation with DD 15 or so years after Lily's death, Snape conjured a Patronus that reflected his continued love for  Lily-- a silver doe. We know Lily and Severus were friends though 5th year and per a JKR interview, a romantic relationship would have been possible. Snape's Worst Memory (a fine piece of misdirection) was calling Lily a Mudblood and losing her friendship.
 
My interpretation is that Severus loved Lily and wanted to save her life.  I know some readers think he hoped to save her, then win her love again. (love, mind you.) I don't. I think there was a rapid span of time between learning she was in danger and in begging for her protection--that his only thought was of saving her. That he agreed to protection for her family meant there was to be no mutual rekindling of past feelings. Nor, do I think there ever could have been.

Pippin, Alla and Potioncat, arm in arm defending Severus Snape--2011 is going out with a bang!