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Reader Comments: (Page 40)

I like the idea of Snape's hand-twitch being non-verbal nullification...easier than memory modification...especially with two memories to modify at once. Could Snape switch his hand for someone else's at that point maybe?!

Posted by Joe from England on July 18, 2007 03:05 AM

Could I, just before truth is being revealed, add one more theory about Snape? Because I think I know he's not evil.

The name of the theory is "double spy-theory" and it goes as follows:

A double-spy has two masters who he wants both to believe that he is only working for him and not for the other.
Now, we all know who the two masters would be: Dumbledore and Voldemort.
Dumbledore has always stated that he trusts Snape.
Voldemort never trust anyone but himself, so he would want proof of Snape's loyalty to him, especially because Snape is in a key position in Hogwarts. And when Voldemort wants proof, it's not dropping a geranium from an open window.
So, if Snape is on Voldemort's side, or claims to be on his side, there must be information about Snape doing horrible things from time tot time.
Since there is no convincing information on that (as far as I can see), and since J.K. Rowling is too good a storyteller to withhold at least a hint to such information in the case that Snape would indeed be evil, this led me initially to theconclusion that Snape is ok.
As for the Avada Kedavra-spell he used against Dumbledore: others on this website have already solved that paradox (Snape did not enjoy casting the spell, Snape had a non-spoken but working spell under the spoken one...)

There is, however,a weak spot in this theory: in HbP, 1st chapter, Narcissa states that the Dark Lord trusts Snape, to the fury of her twin sister. It sounds as if she knows this, but is that so? Dark wizards are as much vulnerable to wishful thinking as others: certainly the Malfoys would be more inclined than others to trust Snape as he is the favourite teacher of their son, and who is Narcissa to turn to for protection of Draco if she were in doubt of Snape and with het husband in Azkaban?
Snape is in contact with the dark side - he arrived at the summons of Voldemort two hours late and certainly have been interrogated by the Dark Lord, but that doesn't necessarily implicate that Snape knows about his plans. It is likely that Voldemort wasn't until the summons in a position to command Snape, let alone put him to the test, so proof of Snape's loyalty to him still be quite weak at the beginning of HbP.

I think Snape is bluffing when he claims to know about Draco's task: Voldemort wouldn't trust him that much. He keeps the conversation going with what he knows and already has said, and tries to hear out Narcissa about the plan. We don't get the information (J.K. Rowling doesn't give away such information at that stage of the story) but to Snape is it sufficient to know that he must stay close to Draco - no problem for him. He therefore even consents with the Unbreakable Vow - I think it is clear that Snape knows how to get away with breaking an unbreakable Vow.

If this theory is correct, it should be admitted that the courace of Snape would have been enough to bring him in Gryffindor, and his abilities to bring hin in Ravenclaw. How long do you think he has taken the Sorting Hat to decide about Slytherin?

Posted by Co Doesburg from Amsterdam, the Netherlands on July 18, 2007 04:47 AM

I think I found a clue pointing to Snape's loyalty.
During Harry's Occlumency lessons in the chapter "Seen and Unforeseen", Snape tells Harry

" "...it is not up to you to find out what the Dark Lord is saying to his Eaters."
"No - that's your job, isn't it?" Harry shot at him.
He had not meant to say it; it had burst out of him in temper For a long moment they sated at each other, Harry convinced he had gone too far. But there was a curious, almost satisfied expression on Snape's face when he answered.
"Yes, Potter," he said, his eyes glinting."That is my job. Now if you are ready we start again...." (p591 OotP)

Snape finally gets to admit aloud what his job is - spying on Voldemort. I think the key to deciphering this clue is the phrase " a curious, almost satisfied expression". We never hear Snape described in any other situation as being satisfied. However, his job as spy gives him satisfaction, maybe as a means of revenge against Voldemort, for some as yet undisclosed reason.

Posted by Patty from Quincy MA on July 18, 2007 8:09 PM

Well, I've been giving this a lot of thought, and I really mean a lot!
There are so many things that do not add up (YET!)

In Philosopher's Stone, when Harry has sneaked out of the secret section of the library (using the invisibility cloak), he catches Snape threatening professor Quirrell that he should realize where his loyalties are at.
What was it that could have awaken Snape's suspicion? Was it that he already suspects Quirrell for letting the troll in?
In that case Snape is good. There are no clues for Quirrell to be AGAINST Voldemort.

But then again, Voldemort would know from that very moment that Snape is no longer a Deat Eater as he was kind of stuck at the back of Quirrell's head...?

So, if Voldemort had known this he surely would have told the remeaining Deat Eaters, which -I think- would've kept Narcissa from trusting Snape with Vol's plans. So, the Dark Lord trusts Snape.

Oh my gosh, I'm so confused now. This could go both ways.
Still, I have this gut feeling he's not evil. Or maybe it's just very strong hopes.

Posted by Gabriele from Netherlands on July 19, 2007 02:28 AM

Well snape is definitely on dumbledore's side. if u remember in Harry Potter and the goblet of fire when Voldemort returns. Dumbledore asked Snape if he was ready to do something. He had an odd expression on his face and left. Then in book six, snape tells bella and cissy that he returned to Voldemort two hours after he returned. So um... Yeah um Snape did it on Dumbledores orders he is a spy...He ed dumbledore on dumbys orders. He hates He who must not be named.

Posted by Doug from Chennai, TN on July 19, 2007 8:59 PM

The major one is that I'm certain Snape was (maybe still is) IN LOVE with Lily Evans. Assuming this would explain a great deal and give emotional base to Snape's reactions all along the HP books:

For starters, Snape's hatred of Harry as soon as he lays eyes on him.
Harry looks exactly like James who, granted, made a few nasty pranks on him long time ago, but these days are long gone. Snape is an adult now, a teacher, an accomplished Potions Master etc. who doesn't look to me like a type to concentrate on hating someone for the rest of his life just for levitating him upside down a few times and making a couple of other nasty practical jokes.

In any case, just an old school time grudge with James & Co would justify a dislike, but not the open hatred he shows so often. UNLESS James was also something he hated much deeper - a happy rival, for example, who married the girl he loved.

Then Dumbledore's reason to trust Snape that's always being mentioned but never been revealed in HP books so far.

If Snape was in love with Lily and Voldemort ed her, wouldn't Snape be after her er? If that's the case and Dumbledore knew it, he would indeed have a good reason to trust Snape. That also fits with "the greatest regret" of Snape's life "and the reason that he returned" - he realizes that he took part in bringing about Lily's by passing the overheard prophecy to Voldemort and blames himself for her .

Lily d to save her son - hence Snape's attempts to protect Harry despite his hatred - Quidditch match in the first book, werewolf attack in the third etc.(Is this also why he agrees to Narcissa's plea for the life of her son, because she reminded him of Lily?), but what's really interesting is the fact that Lily DID have a chance to stand aside - not that any normal mother would take it, but why DID Voldemort offered her to stand aside more than once? Why did he even bothered? Was it agreed between him and Snape that she was needed alive? Maybe it IS going too far, but I guess we find out soon enough - in two days.

By the way, from all this follows that Snape indeed acts on Dumbledore orders.

Posted by Yulia Jarova from Richmond Hill, ON, CANADA on July 19, 2007 11:00 PM

earlier i theorized that possibly Voldemort is the true half-blood prince, because of the time issues (the chamber of secrets about fifty years ago, the potions book from about 40 years ago) but someone else made a point about sectumsempra that made me think that it really was Voldemore
here was the comment:
"A great deal emerge from the "Sectumsempra" curse. Rowling having an eager affinity for the magic of language rooted in Latin, sectum sempra indicating 'that which has been perpetually divided,' in a fashion. This undoubtedly is the curse of the cleaving of the soul necessary for creation of a Horcrux. Why might Snape have learned this during his worship of the dark arts?"
-Posted by Steve of Caley from Albuquerque
therefore, if sectumsempra is used in the making of a Horcrux, who else would have it written down except Voldemort?

Posted by Levi from Olathe, KS on July 20, 2007 09:46 AM

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