killed him off. She found it too difficult to decide what to do with him afterwards. What would Severus be like if he had lived? How would he have returned to life. People would know he had been ultimately good. How would he react to this? Would he still be so cold and stern?
Just another of lifes great mystery's hey. I have my theories (well more fantasies hehehe).
Just wondered what other people thought?

Hmm I myself find it hard to imagine what he would have done afterwards had he survived. I think it's one of those situation where the world would know the truth but there will always be people who wouldn't believe it just for the sake of a scandal and something to talk about.

I think I personally would have pittied him, all that he suffered, he may never have gained closure. Although as I've said many times it's so tragic that he dies believing he was merely used by DD, but it would have been nice for him to have some closure in knowing it was all worth it, that he was free from his double life, Voldie was killed, Harry lived, the horcruxes gone, but I imagine some people would still hate him, and the remaining DE's I'm sure would want him dead so he may never have known a 'normal life' does someone deserve that kind of life? Hadn't he suffered enough? Although the timing was not ideal nor the circumstances maybe it - and this sounds horrible but I never wanted him to die - but he didn't need to suffer any more, he had done all that was asked of him, I'm not so sure he would have happily lived on after the war, he would have had guilt, and I think would have to live much as he did when we saw him at Spinners end in HBP, almost in constant hiding, unsure of his place in society, as since such a young age he was not true to himself, he was so misguided and just lost really? I hope if he did live on he would get to do what he wanted to, whether that be continue teaching or something totally different, I can only hope that had he survived he finally found happiness and respect in himself.

I think he would be a bit lighter. Now that his life is not in constant danger. I think he would spend his quality time at home when he's not at Hogwarts. Not going out too much. Most people would know that he was a hero and he wouldn't want all of that attention. He wouldn't go out to busy places. It would be like alan rickman walking past a member of SOSS.But I do think he would be a bit more light hearted.

i think snape needs to give those memories to harry in order to let harry fully believed and understood him, because if not, harry will not be able to trust him especially with what happen between them, and thus snape will not be able to relay the message from dumbledore and it is very crucial to harry to know and understand it. snape also wanted to finally show his true identity because at that moment he certainly knew he has few breaths left and was finally able to face himself, the one that had a great love inside him.

What would Severus be like if he had lived? How would he have returned to life. People would know he had been ultimately good. How would he react to this? Would he still be so cold and stern?
Good questions!! I guess, sad as it is to admit it, I can see why JKR killed him off. I'm not saying I agree with her, mind, just that I can see why she did what she did. I think that if he had lived he would have withdrawn more. I don't think he liked public attention. He needed more personal attention in his life, because he had always been belittled, but he would never do good with media type stuff. He might not hate the world as much, as he was done pulling his double life, but he'd still be the same cold, stern guy. I don't know, really, though. I would hope he could move on and find love (guess that's why I love the snape fanfics... ), but I don't think it would happen, sadly enough. He'd probably be less stressed, not struggling to keep his mind locked all the time, or play the double agent, but I don't think he'd completely change. I think he'd become a hermit, or something. I feel so bad for him!

If he had lived, can you guys see him getting together with anyone? I know there are some SS/HG fans out there, but anyone else?

I think Snape gave Harry what he needed in order to understand the last 17 years of his life - starting from before he was born. The practical side of me feels that Snape could only control so much of what he was giving Harry. He was dying. His last dying thoughts were that he'd failed Lily and Dumbledore. Then he sees Harry standing over him, and suddenly he hasn’t failed at all, and out comes all the memories that he's been repressing from the Dark Lord for so long. There were large gaps in the memories of course, so he clearly didn't give Harry everything. He gave what he could so that Harry could trust him, and then asked to see Lily's eyes once last time before he passed. He had only seconds to give Harry what he needed to understand, and I was extremely grateful at being able to glimpse the past through Snape's eyes. Of course, being a Snape lover, I would have liked even more, but I am content that I got this much.

I wish he had lived...I truly wanted redemption for his character. I think had he lived he would have mostly gone on being the same Snape we know and love. Perhaps he would have withdrew even more from the world, but he certainly wouldn't have looked for a hero's welcome.

Is it really possible for someone to just pine away for someone nearly 30 years? I was pretty confident the verdict was going to be negative. It’s too silly right? He swung his arms about me and groaned “I’ve loved you for over 20 years.” Oh hell. “Every guy in that club is wild for you. We call you the ‘goddess’. I’ve kept a picture and a strand of your hair by my bedside.” Say what? I heard about my ‘goddess’ nickname, but this is too much! “I didn’t have a real picture, but the Tylenol lady looks like you.” Whaaa?! Sure enough he shows me the carefully clipped (and shabby) magazine ad. I throw my hands up and say MEN ARE WEIRD!

What would Severus be like if he had lived? How would he have returned to life.
I’d think he wouldn’t want the attention or thanks from anyone. He would find it extremely annoying. I think he’d move far away from Hogwarts and to a new country where no one knows him. USA! USA!

What would Severus be like if he had lived? How would he have returned to life.
I can't think of anything Snape would be able to do if he lived. He'd have to explain himself to everybody, and the DE would all be turned against him. I think he'd have too much of a hard time living in a normal wizarding community. I think that's why JKR killed him off. Life would have been as hard for him as death would have been.

I can't wait for the DH movie in 2010, and I really hope they don't cut much of A Prince's Tale...I've seriously read and reread that chapter way too many times, I just love it. Poor Snape .

So...how long before we can quit it with the spoiler tags for DH. You mean there are people out there who still haven't read and reread the book at least twice?

What would Severus be like if he had lived? How would he have returned to life. People would know he had been ultimately good. How would he react to this? Would he still be so cold and stern?

Wow...everyone seems to think that Severus will just shrink away and go into solitude. I am leaning toward a different angle. Perhaps he will just reenter society with the freedom to finally do what ever his Snapeheart desires. What I mean by this is what does Severus want? What are his passions? Would he want to continue teaching the Dark Arts at Hogwarts now that he can put his full attention and energy into it without distraction? Would he travel as Dumbledore was planning on doing and discover knowledge of the Dark Arts since that is his passion? Would he continue developing potions and spells...seeing as he developed a "love affair" with potionmaking? Would Severus have been able to move on and let go of his obsession with Lily to find love again? Would anyone have the patience to undertake that role in helping him love again?

Strange but in attempting to answer the question all I have done is wrap my brain around more questions. I don't think he would go into seclusion though. When I think of the way he shouted at Harry in HBP "Don't call me COWARD!" He wants people to know whose side he was on, that he was faithful to DD and to the Order, that he made mistakes but like most of us in life had paid his debt to society for 17 years of spying and secretly loving and torturing himself over Lily's Death. In what capacity he would function in society I am completely unsure...Except that if he needed therapy, he could ALWAYS lay on my couch

This is why I forgave Jo for killing off Snape. It would have been to weird if Snape lived and everyone knew about the good things he did. However, if he did live i think Severus would have told Harry not to tell anyone about him like he with Dumbledore. Then I think that he would never see Harry again, because he couldn't stand to see him knowing that he now knows everything. And then I have know idea what he would do.