My two cents: Snape

[daylyn]

Well, I just feel the desperate need to add my own two cents in.

After calming down and a good night’s sleep, I can honestly say that my Snape love knows no bounds and is as strong as ever.

Yes, I felt almost raw after finishing HBP. And yes, I actually cried (just a little) for Snape. And I’d like to say ‘kudos’ to JKR for having that sort of impact on me. While I have a few issues with her writing (and seriously, has she been trolling fanfics for ideas/’ships/terms? – she actually called it the DADA position), I remain in love with the world she created.

But Snape. Snape. My god, she managed to take an already interesting and morally ambiguous character and give him so many more dimensions. We see his interactions and manipulations with “Cissy” and “Bella”. How perfectly he plays them. He knows just what to say to get the information he wants (he knew the Dark Lord’s plans beforehand my ass!). He’s a master at his game.

We learn of his time in school as the HBP, and what a brilliant potions student he really was. How he created new spells, and basically rewrote the advanced potions textbook.

We see his eloquence in the classroom. How he commands a room. And how he finally, finally, can teach the subject he loves.

We learn how he argues with Dumbledore, and how Dumbledore has taken too much for granted. What, exactly, has Dumbledore taken for granted? Could it be his demand that Snape fulfill his oath? And we see, over and over again, how much Dumbledore trusts him, and how little he’s concerned with Harry’s conviction that Snape will betray him. Dumbledore is no dummy – I don’t believe that he’s gotten it wrong for all these years.

We see two powerful Occulmens staring at each other as one lies dying – you can’t tell me that there was no communication between them. We see the hatred and revulsion Snape has at carrying out his task. Hatred and revulsion at what? Dumbledore? Unlikely. Himself? His task? Much more likely.

We see how Snape keeps Harry safe from the Death Eaters, protecting him yet again. We see Snape, even after everything happens, still trying to teach Harry: “Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter.” Harry needs to learn wordless magic and control – Snape’s just trying to make him see that.

And when does Snape lose it? When Harry uses his own spells against him (like Harry’s father had done) and then calls him a coward. Of all the insults Harry could have used, why would that one bother Snape the most? Because, assuming that Snape really is the “good” guy I just know him to be, he has just done the most difficult thing of his life – killed his mentor, protector, and the only person who trusts him fully. And he killed him for a greater purpose – to get closer to Voldemort and work against him internally. Not the work of a coward, but the duty of someone who was willing to sacrifice everything – his friends, his job, his life – to do what must be done.

I fully believe that Dumbledore knows what’s coming. He knows of Draco’s plan (and where do you think he got that information from, hmm?) He knows he’s dying from his injury. And he knows Snape will have to leave at the end of the year – that Snape’s oath must be fulfilled. (Why else would he be allowed to teach DADA? Dumbledore knows the position is cursed. And he doesn’t actually hire a new potions master until after Snape makes his oath.) I believe that Dumbledore and Snape had Dumbledore’s death planned all along.

I completely refuse to believe that Snape is The Evil. While I feel that his final redemption will come with a heavy price, I do feel that he will redeem himself in the last book.


Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, how many of you foresee Dobby/Kreacher OTP fics? I know I do.

And I still love my Snarry, no matter what. Now the challenge really begins…

Comments

[fuzzy-bumpkins.livejournal.com]

omg, I read the cissy and bella thing and fell off my chair laughing!

[fuzzy-bumpkins.livejournal.com]

when I was reading the book, I mean - she is so stealing the fanficcers nicknames! next, it'll be sevvie-pie and dwackie-poo!

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

It really did read a bit like a fanfic, didn't it? I know I've read several like it, in which Snape uses those EXACT reasons for why the DEs should still trust him. Pretty damn funny.

[fuzzy-bumpkins.livejournal.com]

and you've just written my views on the whole snape issue in this book! wow. that was exactly how I saw it too! and when dumbledore said severus pleadingly? I so think it meant, please, kill me, I need you to or something!

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. There was now way that Dumbledore was pleading with Snape to save his life with four Death Eaters surrounding them. He knew that Snape would be killed if he tried.

[the-owlcat.livejournal.com]

I totally agree about Snape. He isn't a bad guy and Dumbledore didn't plead for mercy, he wanted Snape to kill him to avoid Draco becoming a murderer. If the other Death Eaters had killed Dumbledore Snape would have broken the oath he made.
I think Harry will realise the truth about Snape in the next book. And yeah, Snape really is a genious in Potions. :)

Even though Dumbledore wasn't perfect and made mistakes as any man does I don't think he would have been so stupid to trust Snape if he wasn't worthy of that trust. He knew more than anyone about why to trust Severus and he never doubted his loyalty so I don't think he could have been wrong about it. :) And asking for Severus when coming back to school and not Madam Pomfrey was a clue as well- he knew he was dying and that it needs to be Snape who kills him.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

I'm fully convinced of this theory. Dumbledore may not have been perfect, but he knew what he was doing. And I don't think he could have been so wrong about Snape for so many years.

Snape's loyalty to the DE's will appear to be complete, allowing Snape to work from within to kill Voldemort.

[sternel.livejournal.com]

Dumbledore didn't plead for mercy

I actually did intrepret it as a plea for mercy -- because giving Albus a swift and painless end was mercy, compared to the effect of the poison he drank.

And I find it actually supports Snarry, in a way -- Severus and Harry were both agents in Albus' death, Harry with a goblet and Severus with his wand, both obeying Albus' own orders. The connection between them, if Harry ever is able to learn/accept the truth, is stronger than ever.

:;tries to shush the plot bunnies in her brain::

[mana-sama.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY what I thought, to the letter. Not to mention that Dumbledore knew he was going to die and we know this because he passed all those memories onto Harry and had him accompany him on a dangerous mission so he would know exactly what he was facing alone.
I do not think Snape is evil at all, I think he's just made the biggest sacrifice of his life.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. Certainly not the act of a coward. And there's no way that Dumbledore would have taken Harry on a dangerous mission if he wasn't trying to pass on important info to Harry. Dumbledore knew what was happening - and so did Snape.

[pervert-bitch.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you and I felt so bad for Snape at the end of it. How everyone hates him (EVEN MORE) now... and damn, but he was teaching and protecting Harry until the end (or rather until the ungrateful little prick insulted and attacked him with his own tricks)
And really I know so much more of him and this book has made me love him even more...

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

My heart ached for Snape at the end of the book. Now EVERYONE is convinced he's a traitor. And as a Snape fan, we learned so much about him in this book. It was absolutely awesome.

[writeblindly.livejournal.com]

I can truely admit I was crying, sobbing more after the Snape thing. He has been my favorite character since day one. I'll give hmi credit for being an amazing actor though! He fooled a lot of people. I think he hates himself right now, for what he did. I will still always love Severus Snape, no matter what

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

I'm such a Snape fan. He's flawed. He's ambigious. He's damn interesting.

[demilo19.livejournal.com]

I see you on the Snape bandwagon.
I can even see my old seat beside you.
I want back on and gosh darn it, I love how you argue this.

There is only one problem that is prohibiting me from jumping up there with you - if Snape is going to spy internally and even if he gathers Tommy's most secret plans, who in the Order will believe him?

Someone answer this riddle (no pun intended - well not too much) and save me from my Snape grief.

[mokarran.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't think that anyone would believe him, either. But, I don't believe that Snape has to spy internally to redeem himself. I don't even think that gathering the most secret of plans would redeem him in many people's eyes. I just think that with all that's been said, and all that was implied through Dumbledore and Snape's actions (and my belief that Dumbledore's not a complete fool), it just doesn't make sense that Snape had truly been acting the entire time he was spying for Dumbledore.

[mokarran.livejournal.com]

♥ This expresses exactly what I feel about Snape in HBP. What wonderful insight! And I think we will all love Snape, no matter what.

Now the challenge really begins…
So true. But what a wonderful challenge it is!

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

what a wonderful challenge it is!

Isn't it though? Damn, I think that the new fics that will come out of this will become my favorites because there's going to be A LOT of intensity there.

[cs-whitewolf.livejournal.com]

That pretty much sums up my own thoughts on the whole Snape matter (not that I'd be adverse him being a real DE mind ;)) I'd just like to know if Severus will be redeemed before he dies in book7, because I do infact believe that JK is setting this all up to kill off our beloved Severus Snape with some heroic and fatal deed (killing Voldemort anyone? Just a few theories on that going around!) ::sob:: though I do rather hope that's not the case.

Peace.
CS WhiteWolf

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

I know -- I do think that it's very likely that Snape will die in the next book (he did kill Dumbledore, after all, and I can't imagine that JKR will let him get away with that). But I also think that it will be heroic and redeemable.

*sob*

[sputz-n-micah.livejournal.com]

Oh gods, I when I read the Dobby/Kreacher fight scene a thought crept into my brain: UST. *is horrified*

...on the other hand, tormenting Sputz with the suggestion of house-elf sex will be so much fun... ~_^

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

I know. Just how much slash can JKR add to her story? Lots and lots, it appears.

I need a Dobby/Kreacher icon. Desperately.

Have fun tormenting.

[august-showers.livejournal.com]

Here via the Daily Snitch.

Not the work of a coward, but of duty of someone who was willing to sacrifice everything – his friends, his job, his life – to do what must be done.

Yes, exactly. Thank you.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Your welcome. I truly believe that Snape's part is not over in this tale, and that more ambiguity surrounds him. No matter what you think about Snape, this wasn't a clear cut betrayal, but is part of some higher plan.

ok here is my theory....

[sass-macfru.livejournal.com]

I think that the person who wrote the note for Lord V to find was Regulus Black. It fits, the note was written by a Death Eater (as far as I know they are the only ones who use the "Dark Lord" bit) who was wanting to leave the DE's and stop Lord V and knew because of this that they would soon be dead. I believe that it is either hidden at 12 or that Kreacher knows where it is. He would be happy to do Regulus's bidding. What do you think?

Re: ok here is my theory....

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

I completely agree. I'm sure that one of the Horcruxes is at Grimmauld Place. I also wonder if Snape helped to make the poison that Regulus and Dumbledore took, and therefore knew that Dumbledore was already dying.

[playingwithfyre.livejournal.com]

haha, omg.
I heart you.
Your summary of your convictions in Snape and what he has done and still must do mirrored my own so well, and so eloquently. I didn't think a post about a topic eaten to death over the past few days could make me cry. I feel bad for the people that underestimate Snape and were just dying to pin the Evil title on him. Thanl you for this lovely and heart warming revue of him.
I am friending you so hard.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I really so think there are more dimensions to Snape. It doesn't make sense for JKR to make him just The Evil at this point. She definitely has more up her sleeves.

And I'll friend you back. Snape fans need to unite!

Cheers.

[amandasaitou.livejournal.com]

Snape is no evil, the whole of book six is a plot planned by Dumbledore himself, and Snape play along as the master he is... and yeah, I fear the price of his redemption, if Rowling doesn't mind about killing Dumbledore, then she might be able to kill anyone, even SNape, right?
Amanda

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, JKR has shown little resistance to killing off her favorite characters. I do fear that Snape is very unlikely to survive the next book. *sigh*

But I do think there will be redemption before the end.

And I LOVE your icon, btw.

[http://users.livejournal.com/__starbuck__/]

i agree completely with everything you just said, and i noticed all the things you mentioned. he totally was ORDERED by dumbledore to commit the murder (and in my mind, to protect draco). yep yep, snape is the most UNSELFISH and BRAVE chara in the book. ROCK ON SEVVY!

now i'm off to feel more pity for draco and cry my eyes out.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Poor Sevvie. So misunderstood. I hope against hope that Harry will see it in the end.

And I feel for Draco. He's in a bad way, isn't he? But Snape was able to save him from becoming a murderer, so maybe not all is lost for him either.

[celtic-phantasm.livejournal.com]

Pft. How did I miss this earlier?
Reading this makes some of the other stuff people have said seem quite a bit less significant and well, a lot of the points you've said make a lot of sense. I suppose I'll have to read a bit more deeply the second time around. :)

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

I truly believe that Snape has more of a role to play and that his loyalties are not clear-cut. He's an interesting character (one of the most interesting that JKR created, I think), and he's going to be damn important to the final confrontation.

[vejgeta9.livejournal.com]

After reading your theroy on Snape, I am inclined to agree. And suprisingly, I agree with you more than I agree with Arr!! (Please Arr, don't be angry with me!!) I can understand what you mean, and how it all comes together. Makes perfect sense. I only give that praise out when there is no way I can disprove it, or find a loophole.

However, keep in mind, we all could be wrong! ;p

Luv ya, Daylyn!!

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I believe that Snape will be redeemed in the end (of course I also think he's going to have to die for it to happen). For JK to do anyting other than redeem Snape would be disappointing. Of course, I am a huge Snape fan (OK, not that has anything to do with Alan Rickman and his oh so sexy voice), so I can find Snape redemption if I look hard enough.

But seriously, Snape is one of the most interesting characters of the HP books because of his moral ambiguity. I think if JK makes him totally evil (as Harry suspected all along), then she has seriously undermined her character and even her story. Nothing is cut and dried, black and white, good and evil. Snape is interesting because he lives in the shades of grey. I think it would be a good lesson for Harry to learn that not everything is exactly the way he thinks it is.

Of course, as you point out, I could be completely wrong and end up throwing my copy of book 7 around the room in a few years' time.

Cheers.