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Reader Comments: (Page 3)

i think snape is a good guy as somebody as already said he was in the foe mirror,

Posted by barbara hendy on October 1, 2006 06:13 AM

i agree to what all of you have said. i think tht R.A.B is really a great wizard...any ideas about R.A.B?

Posted by Mike Padua from Philippines on October 1, 2006 10:01 AM

Hey, am I wrong or is it never actually SAID what that unbreakable vow is about? we all assume it is about ing Dumbledore, but can't it be something else? I also believe Snape knew what it was as he read Beatrix' mind. So I guess he very much considered what he was swearing there. I think Voldemort had asked Draco to let the -eaters in that night, and as he managed to do that and Snape backed him up in a way, he did fulfil his oath. Nothing to do with Dumbledore if you ask me.

And, I can't imagine D. being so wrong about Snape - and he just always helped Harry out when it was really close. Doesn't mean he can't stand him, but that makes him even a greater hero.

Posted by Birte from Freiburg on October 1, 2006 4:13 PM

I find it amazing that people still try to act as though Snape could have ed DD, or that he was bad. Let me remind you, each book JKR tries to make Snape appear bad, and in the end he always shows himself to be good. Over and over again. It's like, doesn't anyone learn? On this same point, JKR loves to fool and lie to her readers. She is sooo methodical about what she says, and what she hints at. He does often let things slip, but she more often says things so perfectly that we are left going in the completely wrong direction...

I find it very unlikely that Snape ed Dumbledore. I always understood that in order to use the AK curse you had no not only despise the target person, you more importantly wanted to see them suffer and in pain. Snape did not want this of DD. Snape and DD have one of the closest relationships in the book. I simply mean this because DD trusts him 100%, and Snape is always helping DD or doing things for him (teaching occlumency to Harry for DD, etc).

That is a big point that a lot of people miss. Could Snape have found some way to fake his anger for DD? I think he was frustrated at DD for sure, given the fact they had a fight by the woods, but by no means was Snape angry or hateful towards DD. I believe that the argument by the forest was Snape pleading to DD to not have to fake his , because it would not only be dangerous and possibly life-threatening for DD, it could put Snape in some of the most dangerous and most challenging situations of his life.

It is an awesome point that Snape ed DD so that DD could have given his life to protect Harry, but I find a problem with that. In the books Lily gives up her life for Harry, which only is in tact when Harry is near relatives (living with his aunt), and ONLY when Harry is underage. Well, Harry won't be underage for much longer, and he won't be next to DD's relatives, so would that trick even work anymore? I don't think it would.

Posted by Brett J. from Boulder, CO on October 1, 2006 9:05 PM

I want to say something I didn't made up myself. Someone told me and I believe in it, because it is another evidence for the goodness of Snape. (Well, the loyalty of Snape for Dumbledore. Snape is, in fact, for sure a ackward person)
This also offer a clue for some of the biggest problems of the 'Snape is good' believers.

The problem; the reason why DD trusted Snape with his life.
I say you can only believe that Snape is good if you know this reason. And now I think I know.
What is the most powerfull thing, according tot Rowling and Dumbledore? Love.
What was the worst memory of Snape? James, Sirius, Lupos, Wormtail. But that is strange. According to the books, it was not an accident that James en Snape fought eachother. They did that all the time. Why was this the worst memory of Snape, if the happening wasn't special at all? Because another person showed herself in the memory: Lilly, mother of Harry.
And Snape called her 'mudblood'. The most offensive word you can possibly say. And imagine how you would feel when the one person you like,no, the one person you are in love with the only one is who helps you. And because of your pride, you reject it and offend her. That's why is the worst memory of Snape.

Snape was in love with Lilly, and to make the story even worse, he was responsible for her . He didn't knew it when he heard the prophecy, but later he realised the fact that Voldemort was hunting Lilly's live. So he asked the Dark Lord to spare her. (The reason why Voldemort ed James, but offered Lilly a way out. Why wouldn't a man like he spare someone? because his loyal Snape asked and sometimes Volemort rewards his helpers). As we know, Lilly refused to leave and she saved Harry's life. But she destroyed Snapes.

Snape really hates Harry, because everytime he is looking Harry in the eyes, he's seeing Lilly (Harry looks like his father, but he has the eyes of...his mother). The reason why Snape quitted being a eater? Because Voldemort ed his love while he promised not to. Dumbledore reckonized the power of love. The reason why the face of Snape was furious when he ed Dumbledore? It was again he, Snape, who was responsible for the of someone he loved. Even though he was asked to.

Love is the reason why Snape has turned in a horrible person and a follower of Dumbledore and the good side of the magic world...

Posted by Ivar on October 3, 2006 03:51 AM

Wow Ivar! Very well spoken! I too believe there's a chance Snape was in love with Lily. But the fact that he hates Harry isn't because he has his mother's eyes, but looks like James so much! The James that teased him and fought him.
I truly believe Snape's on the good side and I really hope DD is not !

Posted by Gabriele from Netherlands on October 4, 2006 06:57 AM

Thanks Gabriele:) But I don't deserve much honour; like I said I didn't made this up by myself.
It is indeed possible that Snape hates Harry so much because Harry's father was the enemy of him in his younger years. I first thought that too. But then again, I can't believe it because it makes a lot more sense if the reason for this powerfull hate the eyes of Lilly are.
Why? Well, Snape sees Harry, and now because of the eyes he is confrontated with his own weakness and most painfull moments in his life. If he is seeing Harry like James, he is confrontated with, well, a bully. That is a difference!
Plus, Rowling has confirmed that the eyes of Harry be important in the last book. I say, this is why. Maybe that Snape save Harry or whatsoever, we can't do nothing but quessing about the how...

Posted by Ivar on October 4, 2006 07:50 AM

A possible solution?
Snape made an unbreakable vow - To Lily Potter. The vow was that he would not harm her or her's (meaning Harry).

The evidence? Snape has never actually physically harmed Harry Potter. Oh, he would like to - He is evil in the core. However, there are limits on what he can accomplish. IN the battle afte Dumble s, younotice how he never hits Harry with anything? Isn't this the best time? He want's to Harry, but cannot.

I think Dumbledore knew this, and essentially used it against Snapes own wishes. This is how D. KNEW that Snape could not betray them - As long as he could ensure that his requested actions of Snape were in the interests of Harry, he could require Snape to be a double agent in Harry's general interests. However, although Snape cannot harm Harry, that doesn't mean Snape has to like Harry - Hence his eternal efforts to make Harry's life emotionally miserable.

Snape got out of this catch 22 by making the vow to his sister. As soon as Dumbledore knew that Snape had to him to continue his usefulless in keeping harry alive - Dumbledore knew he had to go...

How's that for a machavelian scheme?

Posted by Barry Stein from Seattle, Wa on October 6, 2006 10:48 AM

Wow, good theory. I sorta feel like that isn't the case, becuase we have to assume that Snape is a bad guy. And I thuroughly believe he's a good guy. Why would he have made the Unbreakable Vow with Lily? What would be the purpose... It doesn't make sense. Maybe DD maybe Snape do the unbreakable Vow for Harry... But even that, it assumes Snape is bad, and He Is Now! I mean, I can show you evidence to show Snape is truly a good guy, he is just misunderstood and affriad of being nice...

Plus, we don't know the response of contrary Unbreakable vows. If someone does an unbreakable vow FOR something, and then another Unbrekable Vow Against something, do they no matter what? What if DD made Snape do an unbreakable vow not to DD, would that cancel the other out, or make Snape ...

Because according to your theory, Snape would have to help Draco, yet not hurt Harry in any way. ing DD is hurting Harry in my opinion, plus allowing Eaters into Hogwarts hurts harry, so wouldn't he be then? It could be Snape can't physically hurt Harry, but I still think Snape wouldn't be able to balance the two contradicting Unbreakable Vows...

Posted by Brett J. from Boulder, CO on October 6, 2006 2:23 PM

I think Snape is good cuz there is more evedence to prove that Snape is good rather than bad!

Posted by Hannah on October 9, 2006 09:51 AM

Good questions, Brett.

I am trying to assume as little as possible about Snape here; I don't really know if Snape is good or evil. This scenario does assume Snape wants to be evil, but cannot be in this regard; I don't think that making an U.V. actually changes the person. However, it does change their actions, and actions are all we have to go on.

Also - DD himself valued Harry's person over his own. Who is more important to Harry here? Snape on the inside, or a weakened, injured DD?

One other thing: Potential for physical harm is different than actual physical harm; otherwise Snape wouldn't have been able to humiliate Harry in Potions.

Regarding when a vow could be made - How about to James that Snape not Harm Lily or Lily's own (maybe you can tell I am working this out as I go along)? Snape did owe his life to James, and this could be the payback; IF Snape has some feelings for Lily (Remember snape's memory from the pensive? Maybe he feels really bad about this, because he was made a fool of in front of Lily. Losing a fight with 2-1 dosent' seem that big a thing. Snape would have wanted Harry to see that memory, because it makes his James look kinda like a jerk - but he concealed it nonetheless - for a different reason, perhaps?), this U.V. might work in Snape's psyche. James could have been concerned for Lily's safety, so such a vow would work for both of them...

If, If, If.... Way too many If's here. I am thinking this is the sort of intricacy that JK Rowling thrives on... Nothing to really prove it however. Just that it works to the perceived actions in the books...

Posted by Barry Stein from Seattle on October 9, 2006 12:18 PM

I just finished reading the 6th book,
and I have to say, judging from all the previous ones - the one who seems to be the bad guy is almost never the bad guy. JK has tried to make us believe all through the books that snape is evil but it always turned out that he's not! I believe strongly that dumbledore knew what he was talking about and there's no way he would so stubornly protect snape if he hadn't had something really strong to make him believe so, and it's gotta be more than words.
And one more thing - in the chasing scene at the end of the book - notice that snape didn't let harry use the crucio curse on him, and said "no inforgivable curses from you potter", he knew using a spell like that would be bad for harry and he stopped the other eaters from using crucio on harry as well saying that he was reserved to the dark lord and thereby saving harry. also He was extremly touchy when harry called him a coward. I know Snape is good. definatly.

Posted by Lilac from Israel on October 9, 2006 2:09 PM

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