Wow. Where to begin with this thread.

This thread is to discuss our Potions Master, Hogwarts Headmaster, Possible Spy, General Confusing-person and all-round Hero of the series.

I loved the character of Severus Snape from the moment I started reading the books and was introduced to him. He was dark and mysterious, had a side to him that we were never quite shown and was such the ultimate psychological puzzle. There was obviously an attachment to Harry, but he was the ultimate nasty creature. Easy not to like. But I had to believe that he was a good guy.

Reading through Deathly Hallows, I spent so much of it going- 'Oh, I have to be wrong, I have to be wrong... am I wrong?' before finally coming to Chapter Thirty Three... 'The Prince's Tale'.

This chapter made me burst into tears. I found it so moving.... and I was incredibly releaved that my hero had actually managed to fool this so-called great wizard and was really on the side of good.

I loved the storyline of him, his love for Lily and his dispair when she was killed off. I love his final words, 'Look at me' and how he loved Lily until his death. I loved how it explained the relationship with Petunia and why she hated magic and 'that strange boy'.

I hated that he had to die, but I love the way it was done. I knew that he would have to die at some point, whether he was good or evil and I was dreading it. But to die looking into the eyes of Lily and to pass on his memories to Harry was just beautiful.

So what are you thoughts on Severus Snape?

I'm actually blinking back tears as I type. My brother just read to me the scene where he dies, and we both burst into tears again.

What an awesome character. He is officially, and beyond a shadow of a doubt, my favourite literary character of all time. Having been a staunch, and I do mean staunch, supporter of him throughout, and a great believer in his loyalty and bravery, I have to say that Deathly Hallows really lived up to all my expectations - and more. His eyes meeting Harry's just before he died was heart wrenching. His doe patronus too.

And it pained me that Voldemort killed him in the end, not because he suspected him for one second, but because he thought he would gain absolute power over Harry in that way. It was awful, and if one character deserved it least of all, it was Snape. I also broke down where Harry finally admitted the truth - that Snape was probably the bravest man he ever knew. He was indeed.

I have no words to congratulate JK Rowling for bringing such a character to life. I am stunned!

I'm so glad he turned out to be good! It would have been absolutely awful if he'd been bad all along. Although throughout the book I was the same - Is he good? No he's bad, Wait! He's good, Hang on...and so on and so forth.

I think seeing his memories helped us gain a better understanding of him, that although he hated Harry he loved his mother enough to protect him. Although it was sad to see the torment he faced, even just a glimps of it. I can't imagine how he felt when Lily turned on him, that must have been heartwrenching!

I agree with Laurette about his death. He deserved a better death then to die because LV thought he would have gained more power. That was the worst death ever! I'm glad Harry was there though. Although, until I read Pixy's post, I didn't think of him looking at Lily thorugh Harrys' eyes. But there's the thing about the Eyes. Throughout the books it kept coming back to Harrys' eyes which reminded everyone of Lily, and just as Snape died he was looking at Lily. How sweet!

JK did a great job of him. Especially showing the torment he faced when LV was after Harry. Of course all he thought about was Lily but it was a great part none-the-less. I really wanted him to live.

What is there to be said? I wish I could say that I had always been such a staunch supporter of Snape as Laurette, but I do have to admit that I did have several faltering steps along the way. Though I always did remain convinced that Snape must truly be good, there were such wonderful arguments put forward for his guilt that I did think that there may be little more to this than simply 'Harry was right and everyone else is wrong'. But there was more to it than that, and I couldn't be more happy that there was.

Everything was pretty much as I had believed it would be - his love for Lily being the motive that bound him to the right side, his actions I had interpreted correctly, his words I had understood, though they were few and far between. I truly believed in my heart of hearts that there was some kind of plan not only because I really wanted so much for Snape to be good, but because I still believed in Dumbledore's judgement. I couldn't accept that JKR would decimate his character in such a way after spending six books building him up.

The only thing I was disappointed with was his death - which was empty, pointless, and undeserving of such an outstanding literary creation. It was kind of weak, truth be told. Rather than the information-dump at the end - which was very moving, granted - I would rather have seen Snape's redemption through his actions.

And I was bitterly disappointed that Snape was not amongst those characters who emerged from the Resurrection Stone. Again, this was a missed opportunity that I can't help feeling rather sad about.

Like Pix and Triad, I loved how the whole theme of Lily's eyes was explained in that small paragraph at the end of the chapter though, and I have to content myself with believing that in his final moments, he might have found just a small amount of comfort in seeing Lily's eyes and in the knowledge that Harry might come to finally understand.

Overall, an outstanding creation who undoubtedly is one of the best characters I have ever come to know in fiction. And one of the ones I am most sincerely going to miss.

I too, did not want to believe that JKR had spent 6 books building the character of Snape, just to make him bad all along. I was more thinking along the lines that he wanted ultimate power and so this meant he was in it for himself. I am glad I was proved wrong on this point.

I always thought the Snape loved Lily theory was from the realms of VTM fan fiction, and to see that it was so was great. I particularly loved the fact that Snape and Lily were young childhood friends, from way before Hogwarts, and JKR didn't just have Snape as some saddo who admired Lily from afar once they got to Hogwarts.

So, 'That Boy' turned out to be Snape and not James, he he I think someone guessed that a while back.

I too felt cheated by his death, I wanted him to die bravely in battle, and not, as it was, the result of a snake bite. All a bit anticlimatic, although the final words of Snape....Look at me....were very poignant.

I blubbed from this point on in the book, and through 'The Prince's Tale' I must have halved a box of tissues, so most of what I read was a blur.

I still am a little perplexed about why Snape treated Harry the way he did. I know that this was to do with his deep seated hatred for James, but he loved Lily, so why did he not back off in his treatment of him in class. Was it because he wished that Harry had been his son?

I know that if Snape had behaved differently to Harry, we would not have had the same Snape, but was it necessary to have them try to humiliate each other at every turn, was it absolutely the right thing to do? My head is saying yes, but my heart is saying no. I guess that's because Severus Snape is...was, without a doubt one of JKR's best character creations in all 7 books.

I have been a staunch supporter of Severus Snape pretty much since I found out he was in the Order. Before then there was not much to respect, he was rude and mean and all, but ever since he was said to be working for the Order, he was good in my books.

I am unexplainably grateful that Severus Snape was loyal to Dumbledore. Severus has been, in my opinion, in the top three most powerful wizards in the series. Dumbledore being first, Voldemort being second and Snape being third. I always knew that Snape was using his great power to fool one of the better two... who is was, I was not certain, but I always believed it to be Dumbledore.

I was also a grand supporter of the "Snape Loved Lily" theory. I am tickled pink to have this confirmed. I could think of NOTHING else as to why Albus Dumbledore, the great supporter of Love, would trust him so undoubtedly.

I think that one of the BEST chapters out of the whole book was the chapter "The Prince's Tale". It was written greatly, explained all of the things I wanted explained, and made me truly feel sorrow for "Sev". I'm sad, in a way, that he had to endure the rest of his life loving Lily, knowing he would never be able to be with her... even more so after her death.

I'm sorry he had to die... it was so very sad. I believe I read through this entire book wiping tears, this scene included. It was especially powerful when, right before he died said "Look... at... me..." He wanted to see Harry's eyes.. Lily's eye's... one last time!

My sister liked Snape all along, I can't say I hate him. I think he's a really great character. Outside, he seemed a bad guy. But deep inside him, he is such a passionate guy. I'm glad Harry realise the truth of Snape. And telling Harry to "Look at me..", that's so touching as he was, like looking into Lily's eyes.

I can't bear to see him die in the movie!

I, too, cried through the entire "The Prince's Tale" chapter. I spent the first 6 hours reading the book and going... "oh, no... I think I was wrong this whole time...", and glancing furtively down at my "Support Severus Snape" shirt that I was wearing.

I was, obviously, elated to see that I was right. However, the fact that Snape was a hero, and everything I had always known him to be, made me even sadder. I cried through the ENTIRE CHAPTER. The whole thing. I was a mess.

Oh, my poor Severus... I shall have to bring you back to life in fan fiction, if JKR will not do it for me

Well what do you say to dear old Severus Snape i stuck with him to the bitter end. Nothing that much suprised me i just knew Snape had to be good this of course was correct. I quess i was sad throughout the whole Princes tale chapter cause everything sort of fitted together sort of like the the perice vbefore the last of an jigsaw. It was so powerfil to know the Snape loved Lilly. So fantastic beautifully written.

When he died i just oh i didn't know what to feel cuase there was this huge build up in DH of how evil he was. But i know feel such sorrow for dear Severus.

I really wasn't expecting Snape to turn out like he did. Yes, i recall Jo saying he's not totally evil, but i thought by that he would perhaps protect Harry from dying or something like that. It was so emotional when Harry was looking in the pensieve, i never thought of Snape being in love with Lily, but what i brilliant twist to the character. Now i understand why Snape was mean to Harry all the time - i thought it was because Harry had defied Lord Voldemort, and Snape was a death eater, or maybe just because Snape loathed James Potter - but itwas jealousy of James rather than hatred! Aw i wish he was alive now! Haha Albus Severus, what a name!

The names at the end was a nice touch but a little bit overdone


Snape to me was always a bad guy but i had my reservations about calling him evil...


The princes tale was easily the most moving chapter in the book... BRILLIANT that and the kings cross chapter


overall snape was a brilliantly invented charachterwith a strong rounded charachter, sure he had his flaws but in the end isnt that why we all love him.

Ugh poor Snape's death stunk! I was still convinced he was evil hehe but him being good was much better. The Prince's Tale was another of my favorite parts. It was brilliant that he was friends with Lily before school. And I was glad he was in love with Lily. I got one thing right lol.

like I said at the beginning I hated his death. After Wormtail died all I could think was Snape was going to get the reprieve, though I suppose it wasn't a reprieve for us but from whatever J.K. was going to do. Any way I wish if he was going to die it would've been a bit more heroic.

*sigh* After enduring almost two years worth of people emailing and PM'ing me asking how and why I could ever name myself 'Snapelover'..I give you a big...

I feel my time and love for the dark man has all been founded. It was heartbreaking reading his unrequainted love issues and the fact that his dying wish was to look at Harry's eyes, that were in essence, Lily's.

His death was without ceremony. I think he deserved a far better death than that. I am angry at Jo for that. I appreciate Harry announcing to everyone his opinions of Snape and naming his son Severus as a middle name. Very cool tribute to my Snape. All in all, I am proud of my screen name and happy I am vindicated.

I shall devote myself to proper fanfiction now...you know, the kind where he lives. Or perhaps, Hermione brings him back.

After reading the book, my entire perception of Snape has changed. He was a great spy, friend, and predecessor to Dumbledore. And he truly showed that Slytherin wasn't all he was....he def has a bit of Gryffindor in him. I thought it was also grand that Harry incorporated his name into his family. After all the stuff he put Harry through, it can all be finally laid to rest.

I, like "Albus Dumbledore" did not start supporting Snape until I knew he was in The Order. After that, I knew there were reasons that we needed to trust him. It was his love, the most powerful kind of magic, that kept his allegiances to the 'good guys'.

Like so many readers, I spent most of the book telling myself that I was wrong and that Snape was actually bad. His death, though not heroic, I thought was an interesting way for him to die. Voldemort didn't really want to kill him, but wanted full power of the Elder Wand. He didn't know about Draco's disarming of Dumbledore, or just naturally thought that the person who KILLED the owner would be in control of the Wand.

I think it would have been too predictable for Snape to have died saving Harry, everyone was expecting it. Lets remember, he deeply loved Lily, was extremely jealous?/disapproving of James, and always connected Harry to "his father" whenever he talked about him. How many times did Snape compare Harry to Lily??? The only time I can think of, was when he was dying and he had Harry "Look...at...me..." so he could imagine he was looking into Lily's eyes when he died. To have him die the way he did showed us that Voldemort did not truly understand the wand and showed how weak and scared he was, compared to Harry. Harry then found out he had to finish this quest on his own, so Snape would not have been able to help anyway.

For me, the most touching scene involving Snape and Lily was when he showed Dumbledore his Doe patronus and Dumbledore was surprised. Snape reverberated that it has always been a Doe. It just solidified his love for Lily; since they were kids he loved her and even in his darkest days as a death eater, he still continued to love her. He didn't switch to a Doe as a remembrance after she died or as part of the bereaving process, he had it all along.

I have to agree with this, I loved that his patronus was a Doe for her and I can understand why it was kept such a secret.

But the funny thing was for me, that reading through the book I kept waiting for a moment when Snape would help Harry sneakily, so that people didn't know that he was really a good guy. And when it finally happened, I had no idea that the Doe was Snape's patronus! I tossed heaps of ideas wondering who could have made it and he wasn't even a consideration!

I found it a little suprising that Dumbledore questioned his love for her. I don't know why, but given that he never doubted that Snape was loyal to him and no longer a death eater, it seemed a little strange that he'd think that Snape had stopped loving Lily.

I admit it. Right up until "The Prince's Tale" I thought Snape was an evil, traitorous, double-crossing Death Eater. Then I read the chapter.

The life story of Severus Snape truly is heart-breaking. His ultimately unrequited love for Lily, the pain of being an outcast in the shadow of the great James Potter, and finally the pain of knowing he was the reason that the woman he loved was dead. As everyone has said, his last words - "Look ... at ... me" - were as if he were looking at Lily again, for the last time.

I really didn't want him to die
I knew he was good, he had to be.
I also thought that he loved Lily through all the rumours going around.
However i was getting worried as he wasn't mentioned much and when he fled after his argument with Minevra i thought 'Oh God, I was so wrong'
I felt so much anger towards Voldemort, probably more than i had ever been throughout all the books, he was killing him, i know its in his nature, but what a git!

The part where he said 'Look at me' before he died didn't occur to me until after we had seen his memories, i had to go back and re-read it. He still loved Lily after all those years and he saw her eyes again before he died. Bless.

The final chapter where you meet Harry + Ginny's kids and learn about Albus Severus (Genius) and Harry talks about Snape with such loyalty and pride to of known him, i cried just a tiny bit harder than i originally was at that point.
It was as if Harry knew what a huge mistake he made calling Severus a Coward in HBP and obviously regretted it as he spoke of him being 'the bravest man i ever knew'.

I'm so glad he was good though.
What a brave and heroic man
so sad he died though!

Hehehe. This may shock and horrify all Snape-ites, but I thought his death was a literary triumph. Of course he didn't deserve it! Who could have deserved it less? But it was an awesome, awesome end for his character.

My first reason for saying that is that his death brought about that Harry and the reader accepted his version of events without even thinking of questioning him. He was, in that sense, fully and completely 'redeemed' in everyone's eyes. Had he lived he would perhaps have stood trial, or he would have, in some way, had to please explain. He might not even have been believed, which I think would have stunk much, much more. What's more, there would have been no way that anyone would believe he was truly good because he 'loved' Lily - Harry Potter's mother!?

And then, of course, whether people would have believed him or not, he would never have told a soul. He's Severus Snape, after all! His life had been filled with loneliness, rejection, pain, suffering - you name it - but as Dumbledore so rightly said, he never wanted people to know 'the best of him'. Can anyone see Severus Snape explaining to Harry Potter/ the Wizengamot that, although he had no proof and no witnesses, he really never left the good side, that he killed Dumbledore on Dumbledore's orders, and that he had aided the Order through, for example, Mundungus, and this all because he had loved Lily Potter? Not a chance.

So he had to die - I'm sure he preferred death to having to admit and be ridiculed because of the truth. His way of dying, I think, was not only crucial for the plot (in that Harry immediately believed him, he immediately understood that he was a horcrux, and that Voldemort didn't suspect anything), but it was dramatically powerful too. Voldemort killed him for no other reason than to gain even more power. He wouldn't even spare his right hand man, and I thought the tragedy of Snape's life was wonderfully captured by the pointlessness of his death. He was the victim of merciless, unbridled greed.

He had never got his due, ever. He had coveted it, but it never once came his way. He had led a double life because of the woman he had loved, and had endured more than anyone, but he was never destined for glorious acts of heroism that left crowds in awe. The power of his character lay in his ability to face the unfair with gritted teeth, and to give everything he had, unassumingly, for an unrequited love. That was why he was braver than all the rest. His final thoughts were of Lily, and he died looking into her eyes.

Isn't that much more powerful than him jumping before Harry like a Greek war hero, and saving wizardkind by performing miraculous and glorious magic in front of everyone? Surely not! Severus Snape died as he lived, but that is precisely the reason he's the powerful literary character we have come to love!

I too thought that. Before OotP I positvely hated him. He was downright horrible to Harry. But when I read that he was joining in the fight against Voldemort I still disliked him, but at least he was on 'the good side' so I put up with him

But after reading HBP my opinion totally changed. When I read the part where he made the Unbreakable Vow, I was shocked. How could he be working for Voldemort when he was in the Order? Could he be leaking all of the Order's secrets to Voldemort? I did consider that maybe he was working on Dumbledore's Orders. I wanted to believe it.

But then he went and killed Dumbledore and I thought that's it: he's pure evil. And I was back to square one - hating the guy. I couldn't believe that he would kill Dumbledore, the foul despicable man.

I was so sure that he was evil, I thought there could be no way that he was good, although I hoped that he was. And he turned out to be good! The chapter 'The Prince's Tale' was great. It was not my favourite chapter in the book, but it certainly changed my opinion of Snape.

His death - unjustified. He should have died differently, like in an epic duel. Not attacked by a snake.

Harry's tribute to him - touching. Calling him the 'bravest man he knew' was a very touching tribute to him.

What a complex character - well done JKR!

Snape's death seen was absolutely heart-wrenching. And you know, Jo had said repeatedly that the fact that harry's had lily's eyes was really important--and i (and others) always thought that it would give him some sort of power or something...but it the end, it was because Snape needed to see them as he was at last leaving his life. So simple, but very touching indeed.

What made me sad was the fact that Snape never seemed truly happy--in all those memories. He just needed friends--like any person, no matter where they are from or who they are, he longed for that most basic of human needs--love. And i guess i found it with Lily in a sense--that's the only thing powerful enough to keep him loyal to the right side for so many years. But his story made me think of all the people in this world--our world--who are ignored, mistreated, abused--and who lose that spark of goodness inside themselves because of it. Snapes love for lily in this series allowed him to keep that spark---just shows you how complex love really is.

So after finding out that Snape loved Harry's mom and with Harry having the same eyes as her, does anyone think thats the reason when Harry would be in Snape's class and Snape's eyes would "linger on Harry's" for a little longer than everyone elses?

I've never made it a secret that I've never liked Snape, but I've also never made it a secret that I always firmly believed Snape to be innocent. In fact, I believe I had a hand in talking a couple people around who have already posted in this thread--including Snapelover herself (who admitted that it never felt right to doubt and that she was mostly arguing for his guilt to see if it were possible).

I'm very pleased with how this particular aspect of the story turned out. Even though I can still say that I don't like Snape,or more specifically, I don't like how Snape treated Harry--I can understand why he did it given the circumstances, but, given the circumstances, I still dislike that he did it--so even though I would never want to hang out with Snape, I love the characterization of Snape. I think he was a fantastic literary device and is what made the whole series as captivating as it was. Congratulations to JKR for ever thinking of the character of Snape!

I'm crying as I write this. I feel ashamed for not believeing in Snape from the beginning. I only started to believe in him awhile back. Snape is awsome. I loved how he looked into Harry's eyes and saw Lilly. Dumbledore was right all along, Snape was good.

Harry's little boy is so awsome, Albus Severus Snape. Snape is good. And Harry saying that Snape was the bravest man he ever knew! POOR SEVERUS SNAPE!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, I have always been a Snape is good fan... but this book had me waffling all the way through!!! I was so sure that he was good when I went into it, and as time went on, I was sure that I was wrong! JKR did such an EXCELLENT job with this character, that I can't believe it!

The most touching things were the memories of him and Lily as a child... trying to understand their magic before Hogwarts!!!! You could see a little touch of evil in him, though, even then.

I was a little disappointed that he kept repeating his last words trying to get back to Hogwarts, though, I know that he wanted to see that Harry and the school was safe, but he was too obvious about it.

Too bad he never got to speak to Harry before he died!

'The Prince's Tale' was definately my favourite chapter in the whole book. Revealing all about Snape. I like how we found out that he and Lily knew each oter from a very young age.

I had complete faith that Snape was a good guy after, there were too many things that wouldn't have made sense in the story if he turned out to be bad, but the way we found out that he was a good guy was really great. I thought Dumbledore's portrait would explain it, but the pensive was so much better.

OK, I have always been a Snape is good fan... but this book had me waffling all the way through!!! I was so sure that he was good when I went into it, and as time went on, I was sure that I was wrong! JKR did such an EXCELLENT job with this character, that I can't believe it!

The most touching things were the memories of him and Lily as a child... trying to understand their magic before Hogwarts!!!! You could see a little touch of evil in him, though, even then.

I was a little disappointed that he kept repeating his last words trying to get back to Hogwarts, though, I know that he wanted to see that Harry and the school was safe, but he was too obvious about it.

Too bad he never got to speak to Harry before he died!

I a-l-w-a-y-s supported Severus Snape,overlooking all the strange things he did in the other books something always told me that he loved Lily and he wanted to protect Harry.I knew that he will end like that but I couldn't abstain from crying,it was way to cruel and he didn't deserved it.

Before reading this book I was sure that Snape was guilty of killing Dumbledore and was actually a Death Eater who had tricked Dumbledore.

However, the book has just revealed so much to me and I am completely awestruck. I could never have imagined all of those things Snape did for Harry and of how loyal he was to Dumbledore.

To me he is the most interesting character in all the books and I loved how it all turned out at the end when Harry saw the memories and we find out everything about him. The Prince's Tale was probably my favourite chapter because we find out so much about Snape and all of these revelations have made him my favourite character.

Snape's death totally threw my entire 'ending' theory into the air. I had this whole theory mapped out as to what was going to happen in the ending. Everything was going exactly as planned and then... Snape dies. I'm like, "What?! You can't do that, you have to die protecting Harry! Grr... come back!"
I never actually cried while reading this book. This isn't really saying much: I didn't cry when Dumbledore died, and I didn't cry when Sirius died (book or movie). I've never actually cried while reading a book. However, then again, I've never really cried since I was 10. (I pride myself on many things, but being a sap is not one of them).
However, the very closest that I actually came to crying was Snape's dying words (once I learned what they meant). The idea that Snape wanted to see Lily's eyes one last time before he died was touching.
I was a diehard fan of 'Snape is Good', yet my loyalty to him flickered several times through the book. Every time I saw him with Death Eaters I was like, "Well..."
When I saw his memories, I almost cried with happiness. Go Snape!

For me it was a real shock to see Snape die!!! Even though throughout the whole of the seventh book t though he was an extremely evil treacherous Death Eater, I never expected Lord Voldemort to kill him! It was the most evil thing he did, along with killing Lily and James... But why Snape? I thought tha LV would keep him close at all times in case he would die or something, but killing him to have Absolute Power? That's so Lord Voldemort!
Anyways, I was really glad that they revealed his true story. It was really sad to know what he had gone through during his stay at Hogwarts... I even felt kind of guilty for doubting him.
Dumbledore's trust in him was a give-away, but I thought that Snape had been smarter and fooled Dumbledore, but DD was right! Showing that LV was fooled, and DD along with Snape were the best wizards during the books!

I thought how the Snape story played out what excellent. The chapter "The Prince's Tale" was so full of emotion, trying to explain it to someone who has not read the book is near impossible.

After 6 years of being led to hate Snape, everyone must now love him. It shows how clever he was to fool LV all those years, how hard he worked to protect Lilly's son. It must have killed him to have Lilly marry James, after she called him a toe-rag, which obviously made him relieved at the time.

I really wish there could have been more interaction between Harry and Snape at the end, perhaps some kind of apoligy from Harry towards Snape when he finally gets the truth, because it was so well deserved. Perhaps the naming of one of his sons as Albus Severus, and then calling him perhaps the bravest wizard he had ever met was fitting, but Snape will never know.

I'm confused as to why so many of you believe the memories vindicate Snape.

In case you didn't notice, he was prepared to let Harry and James die for Lily's life to be spared. I agreed with what Dumbledore said to him ("you disgust me"), and personally, I felt more disgust for Snape at that moment than I have for any character except Voldemort. How sickening to be so nonchalant about the deaths of the husband and child of the woman you supposedly "love". Of course, he never loved Lily Potter. He had a lustful obsession with her, evidenced by "greedy" way he looks at her (described as such at least twice). He selfishly agreed to protect Harry because of his obsession with the kid's Mum, not because of any remorse or goodness in his heart. And he shows nothing but contempt and often cruelty to Harry from the moment he meets him. Yes, he was bullied by his father. But since he was indirectly responsible for his death I'd say they're about even.

Being a triple-agent for the Order was a huge risk and a brave thing to do. But it doesn't vindicate the general nasty attitude and selfishness of the character that we saw throughout the series. If anything, I hate the guy even more now.

So one of my all-time-favorite Snape scenes...when lily and snape are under the tree discussing hogwarts and the wizarding world. Lily pauses to ask if it makes a difference that she is Muggle-born, and Snape thinks about it, looks her in the eyes, and replys no! So awesome!

For me it's not just the memories that vindicate Snape, or even mostly the memories.

He didn't know why Harry needed it, didn't know what good it could possibly do, didn't know any of Dumbledore's plans for Harry, but knew that Dumbledore wished for Harry to have the real sword of Gryffindor. He sent it to them as soon as he could figure out where they were.

[Edited because it was explained, and I was wrong.]

That and that he assumed the position of Headmaster in the first place. For someone who hadn't wanted to kill his old friend, to take what he knew would be a lonely, thankless, probably threatened job, with people who had previously respected him and now were probably plotting his death, well that's huge. That's courage. (Of course, refusing the position would probably have been certain death, too.) But to know that you were going to walk through the halls near people who had once considered you a friend (McGonagall, Flitwick, Slughorn) and know that their hatred for you was nearly compelling them to kill you? Maybe the sorting hat did get it wrong.

I also didn't read him as truly willing to let Harry be sacrificed. Sure, he was okay with James being targetted by the prophecy, but he didn't want Lily to die, and there was no indication that he wanted any child to die. When he heard that Harry had survived, his astonishment was somewhat tender. It might have been tenderness for Lily, but at that moment he dedicated his life to keeping Harry Potter alive. He might have been a jerk while doing it, but he probably did more to save Harry Potter than anyone other than Lily had, including James. (Not through any fault of James, James did all he was able, but since he hadn't been given a choice, his death didn't have the same power as Lily's. Snape gave Harry the power to once and for all defeat the monster who had killed his parents.)

Again, Sirius rings true: The world isn't split into good people and Death-Eaters. Snape wasn't as "good" as we would have liked, but ultimately Harry probably couldn't have defeated Voldemort without Snape.

Louise, I, too was a little disappointed that Snape didn't come out of the ring - but I think that at that moment, Harry, while no longer angry at Snape, hadn't really moved onto the ability to forgive, either. It was in one sense a failed opportunity, but in another it was recognition that Harry is only human. He isn't perfect either.

Am I sad that Snape died in the book? No, but that's because I had prepped myself for the death these many months.

Do I feel like he died poorly? No, it was just another illustration of the pettiness and evil of LV that Harry was up against. He was a spy before he was a soldier. Unlike Moody who died in battle, Severus died in a small room with only a few witnesses to attest to his bravery to his last moment.

I am happy that most of us who had the "Snape Loved Lily" theory were correct. It feels good to be right
I don't see any reason why Harry would have called up Snape when he had the Ring/Hallow though, Snape was not someone that Harry loved. That doesn't mean that Harry didn't respect and value him as a person, but Harry never loved him while he was alive.

Snape is an amazing character, and I think the answer to why he hated Harry so much even when he still loved Lily is because Harry reminded him of the reason that Lily was dead. If Severus had not gone down the path that he took he might have been the one to marry Lily Potter. Her son would not have looked like James, but like him. He also did not have a good home life, so he didn't know how to be a caring older person in a young persons life - no good role models.

i was so shocked about this

i remained convinced that snape was evil he killed dumbledore my mouth droped when i read it. i couldnt beleive it! an excellent twist i have no doubt in which jk enjoyed writing.

i couldnt beleive he in the bigger picture helped

and i couldnt beleive he was in love with lily and he had the friendship before they went to hogwarts that shocked me too

but i saw him dieing in the end a mile off he had to at someones hands

it was just fantastic!

I was very surprised as well when Snape died. I cried for over an hour. But it made it all the better when Harry saw his memories.

More than anything in the whole wide world, I wanted Snape to "fall in love" and he did! He loved Lily! I was very happy and the fact i've always wanted him to love her, that it was my theory, made it the more better. (and i could throw it in my sisters face that i was right!)

But I feel Snape could of told Harry that he had to die instead of dieing for him. It was cruel the way he went..It was terrible but he did. JKR wanted it that way. He died for Harry, for Lily and for everyone else. He died in bravery.
As for the ring/hallow though, i think Harry could of brought Snape back, I think he changed his feelings for Snape, but was more focused on his parents and godfather.

Severus is an amazing character, he was and always has been my favorite, the fact he died is terrible, but he did. And i must agree with SpinJam:



He is an amazing character and his memory lives on. He is the greatest character JKR has ever thought up.

I can honestly say that throughout the book even up to the end of “The Elder Wand” I thought Snape was bad. I felt that J.K Rowling really did give him the send off that he deserved.
The way in which his death was manoeuvred, and the clever use of his last words really did bring me to tears. I didn’t just sob, I balled my eyes out for Severus Snape, a character I had previously loathed for killing Professor Dumbledore and making Harry’s life hell. I sat for a few minutes swearing at Voldemort after reading that page.
It would have been something spectacular for Snape to emerge from the resurrection stone, but you cannot have what you want.
After reading the seventh book my opinion of Snape has changed. I have to say I fell for this character, who really has been able to hide all of his emotions.
I have to agree with ‘etphonehome’ when they say, “without a doubt one of JKR's best character creations in all 7 books”.

I loved the way JK put in her last chapter " Severus Snape was the bravest man I ever knew", and at the final of HBP he said to him " COWARD!".
Well, that`s a good change. I am pleased that Harry is peaced with him.
Indeed, a very, very complexe character Jo built. I am so sorry he died, I just wished that he could talk to Harry, but it was brilliant that he left him his memories..
Very touching, very moving...
I cried all the chapter of the Prince`s tale..

This was the most moving of all the chapters in all the books for me.I knew that he loved lily all along as soon as i read that quote as he was dying. look...at...me.for sure the best chapter i've ever read.

The Prince's Tale was amazingly written. It must've been if I found myself nodding in agreement with it. I always thought Snape was on the good side...but I hated him anyways because of how horribly he treated Harry. But when I found out that he was really protecting him...protecting the son of the woman he loved...it really wrenched my heart out.
It was amazing to see him want to see Harry's eyes before he died. The whole "look...at...me..." thing, I think, really touched everyone who read it. Not only was he seeing Lily...he was finally seeing Lily in Harry. He was finally realizing that Harry may not have been exactly like his father, James, but mostly like his mother.
So now we finally know what Snape is and was. We have the background of everything that happened. When I saw that Harry named one of his kids after Snape...it really was phenomenal. I loved it.

I must admit that troughout the book, I was sure and then unsure of his true loyaltie.
Being at the right of Voldemort showed he was now one of his "favorite" Death Eater, and proved what we were all saying. After, the night he cutted off George ears, it was a hard shot.
But after, when the doe appeared, and Dobby too (even if it isn't Snape that sent Dobby) I was so sure it was Snape, and finally, when he was only looking at Nagini, no more doubt, he was good.
Also, in the battle against McGonagall, he never actually attacked her directly, he only defended himself.

But like everyone, the line "Look... at... me" was sad and probably one of the best sentence of the book as "I'm not worried Harry, I'm with you" was a good tag for the sixth book.
I was a little bit disapointed the way he died, but, after, with the way he showed Harry he was good, it was better than only a sacrifice for Harry (even if from the moment Lily died til the end he sacrificed himself for Lily's son)

I just finished reading the last few chapters of the book this morning, literally an hour or so ago I finished reading it. I have to admit, The Prince's Tale was very tear-jerking. I have to give an applaud to the person who wrote the theory, on this site, "Harry Has It Wrong!" the author of this theory convinced me, pointed out, that Snape loved Lily to me and that he was good. Treating Harry the way he did because he looked like his father but always protecting him in the end, being reminded with a mere glance into the boys' eyes, who's child he belonged to. From then on, he/she turned me to a believer of Snape to be Loyal. I give you an applaud, usually I'm very stubborn lol!

For a moment I had to take in the chapter to really let everything sink in. I kept re-reading that last chapter over and over again and finally it hit me and i started crying. After thinking over and over for a few minutes, why Snape made Harry look at him. It came to me. He wanted to look in Lily's eyes as he died. that was complete and utter turmoil for me. which made me cry even more. I will admit I didn't like Snape AT ALL fromt he beginning, but after reading that theory i was convinced and went a bit easier on him, although it didn't keep me from muttering under my breath about how snape was being such a git!! I didn't like how Snape died though, for a moment, just a moment I thought, since Nagini was a snake she was going to squeeze him to death! then when she bit him i calmed down. In the movie (when it comes time to make it) i have to say, this is FAR darker and worse than the gloom that despairs us ( and harry and co) in OotP.

throughout the book i was sad at times. i got a little teary eyed when dobby die, but i must admit, i sobbed during the princes tale. it was so depressing to experience everything that he did. how he loved lily forever, how he kept making a fool of himself in front of her, and how no matter what he tried, it was never good enough. that she ended up marrying the toerag that she did. they were so different, but to know that they had been best friends, and he had loved her... was downright depressing. i still get a little teary eyed when i think about it. =[

I walked into the book hating him but I walked out feeling so sorry for him and acutally liking him. He actually does have feelings! What a shocker! Haha. I was taken aback to read about him being in love with Lily. It was really sweet, though. I can't believe he died ... that was soo sad . And all along he had been working for Dumbledore ... good man!

I guess Snape was not only one of the bravest, but also one of the most sensitive characters. But as some of sensitive people who learn to hide it early in life, he had become harsh not to say cruel sometimes. Being sensitive, he had to focus on how Harry was like James in order to help him. He knew far too well that one day he would have to face Voldemort again. And he knew that Voldermort knew about the link between Snape and Lily (even if he couldn't understand it). He couldn't afford a flaw in his occlumency, showing a bit of interest for Harry by seing him as his mother's son. He only could "relax" about it when he was dying and could see Harry as he wanted to see him as Lily's son.

By the way, I was in favor of the theory "Snape is good", which got me to be convinced he was when the punishment he gave was a trip in the forbidden forest with Hagrid. At the time being, it nearly was a treat!

Ive loved snape all along!! And in the half blood prince i was convinced that snape had organised the death with dumbledore, he just wouldnt of killed him. Then came deathly hallows. I kinda started changing my opinion at the opening chapter.. i kinda thought.. i think i might be wrong. But alas, there came his chance of redemption in the princes tale. When i saw him talking to voldermort, i knew what voldermort was going to do, i just started crying. Then we had his story.. i cried all the way through it. And after i finished the book i cried for another half an hour. He was such a brave man, and i cant believe what a crappy life he actually had. =[ Im sad his dead!

ok how about this (i hope no one has mentioned this theory yet)
harry is pretty much responsible for lily's death. of course he could not have stopped it, but in snape's eyes, voldemort would never have gone after the potters if harry had not been born. lily could have lived, but she gave her life to harry. snape would see that as harry stealing her life.( i know it's stupid but he would be blinded by love and grief) also, he would have thought of harry as...how can i put it...living proof that lily had chosen james over him. he was like an abomination in snape's eyes. a mix of beautiful lily and the hated, arrogant potter. perhaps snape had always hoped that lily would change her mind, leave james for him. once harry was born, pretty much all hope of that was lost for him, wasn't it? harry sealed the deal. I bet snape wanted to be secret keeper for the potters, but lily's old resentment, and james' open hatred, prevented that from happening. (plus they might believe he was still a death eater) he would have made the best secret keeper though, wouldn't he? skilled at occlumency, and the last one voldemort would suspect. i wish that would have been one of the memories in the pensieve, snape begging dumbledore to let him be secret keeper. of course dumbledore probably would never trust him. and imagine snape, having heard of voldemort's plans to attack the potters on october 30th, being forced to sit at home and pray for something to go wrong, or for voldemort to spare lily's life, then hearing the news, lily was dead. that would make such a moving scene, wouldn't it?

well theres my thoughts, but i also had a question for any one who thinks they have an answer: did harry's parents know anything about the prophecy? did dumbledore bother to tell them, or did he just pretend they were in only as much danger as the rest of the order was?

Oooh yah.. i forgot to say something before. When snape died and he told harry to look into his eyes, i didnt get it at first but now i do. Its cus harry has lilly's eyes and he loved lily therefore. .. Ta Daaaa. I think snape warmed to harry in the end. Im just so depressed he died. He had a right bad life. I just wanna go up to snape and give him a big hug...well ive been wanting to do that for some years.. I think its gonna be amazing in the film!