I am amazed by Snape in the story

Amazed of the passion he showed for Harry's mother, amazed at how ready he was to die in the essence that he was calm enough to give Harry his memories in just those last few seconds, but mostly. Mostly I am amazed at his death, and when it happened.

I was almost positive, almost sure, that Snape was not going to die in the book, I could have sworn that he, even to the end, would somehow live. I knew from the beginning he was not evil, because of the many clues and hints inside the other six books, but I could have sworn he'd go out differently, saving Harry, or not gone out at all. I was really hoping he would help Harry Potter finish off Voldemort. But alas, I was wrong.

Here's To You Snape,

Who was good until the end, but paid the price for everyone else who wished to be the same...

I hoped that Snape was "good", and even that he was in love with Lilly (which seemed to be a popular yet not very... respected theory), but I was really starting to doubt it when half way through the book & there were no signs of Snape being on Dumbledore's side - or in fact, any sign of Snape at all apart from that little bit in the first chapter.

But, then I read the Silver Doe, and in my head it kinda all made sense - that it was his patronus and that he loved Lilly. I didn't expect, however, the way in which Harry found out about it, and just how much he loved Lilly. Gah, it was so sad. I was practically bawling when he asked Harry to look at him as he died.

I think that Snape being on Dumbledore's side, makes him a much more interesting character. He is such a nasty, unpleasant & cruel person/teacher who seems to genuinely enjoy humiliating his students (not only Harry), it seems almost odd that he could love someone so much. But that's why I love his character so much.

& I was just thinking - what kind of a character would Snape be, if he had not loved Lilly, or if he had moved on? I find it interesting because, in the first book, Dumbledore says 'it does not do to dwell on dreams & forget to live', but this is precisely what Snape is doing, if he had gotten over Lilly, what motivation would he have for doing anything for Dumbledore?

Snape has always been my favourite character, even in HBP after he killed Dumbledore, and this book has made me like him even more, I just think he is such an interesting character

Edit:
By the way, I was wondering, in your opinion, was Snape's death in vain? The Elder Wand wasn't even his (I've just realised this now, lol s-l-o-w XD). Would he be less of a tragic hero if he had not died?

Yep, this way his death was pointless. I'd have liked it better if he died due to Volders realizing Snape's true loyalties.

I was wondering why Snape's portrait wasn't mentioned when they went to the Headmaster's office in the end. (or did I miss it?) Shouldn't it be there now too?

^ perhaps because he fled/was "sacked" from the post, he doesn't get a portrait? It would seem that not everyone who becomes headmaster automatically gets a portrait. Umbridge comes to mind (or did she have one??), and Mcgonagall, who was temporary headmaster.

Aw. AND I've just realised. Snape died without knowing that Harry didn't have to die, and that all the stuff he'd done to protect him wasn't useless. How. Depressing.

Good point. But MCGongall was only temporary, so maybe she doesn't count, and when Umbridge was appointed, Dumbledore still hadn't really left, so maybe that doesn't count.


You're right. He never found out. But at least he could give Harry the memories so he kenw that Harry could clear his name. That's a comforting thought.

I knew that Snape had to have had Dumbledore's orders to kill Dumbledore. But I really didn't expect him to be in love with Lily, that was a huge shocker!!!!

Since GoF, I've always believed that Snape's true loyalties would one of the deciding factors in the war. After OotP, I absolutely believed that Snape and Lily had at least been friends. After HBP, I felt that there was enough evidence for Snape to be loyal to Dumbledore and enough for him to be loyal to Voldemort so I reserved judgment.

In DH, I was ambivalent until after learning how he was running the school. Then when Voldy decided to summon him for something that had to "unfortunately be done", I new right away he was going to kill him and I was afraid we wouldn't get to unravel the mystery. Then when he kept on insisting on finding Harry and not wanting to look him in the eye despite his Occulmency skills, I started to get hopeful.

Even still doubtful, I was anguished when he died. And when the potion began to poor out of his body, I got excited; finally, the mystery of Severus Snape would be revealed. The only thing that surprised me-not to say it wasn't touching-just that the only thing that surprised me was how they became friends before Hogwarts. The moment Harry watched him watching in the playground I said, "He was in love with her! He's for the Order! It was his Patronus!"

Even though I was now expecting it, I still felt heart broken for him during those memories. And I cried during the epilogue when Harry told his son about the "bravest man I ever knew".

i cried through out that whole chapter!!!

I agree except that his being able to love Lily is odd. I've know real people who, despite having almost no empathy for others in general, have fallen deeply in love with one person. Someone special enough to reach them.

So I wouldn't say it's odd, I would say it's human. That's what I've always loved about Harry Potter. Even though it's a fantasy setting, the characters and issues are real. JKR doesn't paint a black and white world. It's shades of gray; complicated, confusing, and at times very messy. I think that's why everyone loves Harry Potter, everyone can relate. Of course the setting probably doesn't hurt either

Speaking from my own experience I've found when you've truly loved someone your love for them doesn't vanish, ever. Regardless of whether or not you broke up (even if you're the one that did the leaving), they died, or you never even got to be with them; if you truly loved them at any point in time, your heart remembers. Even if you've moved on, even if you've found love with someone else, a part of your heart never forgets.

So I agree that Snape would not be the same person if not for Lily, but I wholeheartedly disagree that he is forgetting to live. He isn't spending his life in the bottom of a bottle of booze or something. He's working to save her son. Obviously, he day-to-day interactions leave something to be desired, but he is risking his own life to protect Harry and spy on Voldemort. Just because he still loves Lily, because she's his guiding light, doesn't mean he's stopped living; it just means he loves her.

Dumbledore's man through and through!
Enough said.

I though he would turn out for the good, and he did. I also though he had a thing for Lily, witch he did also. I had just hoped he would have lived through it though. Oh well.

I never really liked Snape in the series, only because I'm such a huge fan of the Marauders... but I did think he was loyal to Dumbledore the whole time. I also wasn't shocked that he was in love with Lily. JKR wrote those scenes very well, it could have easily read like a bad fic. I thought his final words were a good choice on her part, Snape said a lot with those three words.

I loved Dumbledore's line about sorting too soon; Snape did die like a hero.

me too. Severus, really could have been a Gryffindor, it was a close call probably. I also think, though, that that would have changed things hugely. Then, Snape and Lily would have still hung out and probably ending up together. But that would result in no Harry.

I'm pleased to say that Severus is one of the very few characters I was right about all along. I thought practically right after HBP that Snape and Dumbledore planned the whole death. It was obvious from some of Snape's memories in HBP that he fancied Lily, so not surprised there either. Him dying, figured so but I didn't think that he would die like he did. Severus died a horrible death and it is really upsetting, because he was a character I disliked in the first 6 books, but in this final one, I've started to like him. He's a very decent man, and if it weren't for the fact that there would be no Harry, I would have loved for Severus and Lily to have gotten together (school sweethearts). I think that he's a better man than James ever was. Potter was cruel to Severus for no reason and made fun of him along with many others. GO SEVERUS! (can't believe i just said "go severus")

I predicted Snape's loyalties two years ago on this site...and am now comforted about the way it played out. I knew he loved her..and passed that to Harry. I did hate the way he died though...I wanted him to at least die saving Harry in some way...but then I guess he already did when he sent his patronus...

Long live Severus Snape in my heart....

I was never really a Snape fan. I wanted to feel bad about his death, but I just couldn't!

I never really liked Snape before DH...but now that I finished reading DH,I totally love his character! I feel so sorry for him. I somehow knew though that he loved Lily...I didn't know how I knew...I just felt it. His love for her was really strong and I totally love him for it!

I hated Snape before DH and I still dislike him. However, I do have newfound respect for him; it must have been extrordinairily difficult for him to follow DD's orders and not only kill DD himself, but watch as his friends got killed on his account.

I have always loved Snape. It was interesting to hear how it all began with Lily. We knew he liked her, but I didn't know for how long and just how much. Even as he was about to die, he did all he could to protect Harry.

Snape is one of the more complex characters in the story. I always had a feeling that he had a thing for lily, but i'm glad they didn't end up together. lily was meant to be with james, and liked snape only as a friend (unfortunately for snape). James protected and loved his family. Lily hated James at first, but obviously loved him a great deeal later on. Sadly, snape was caught in between, forced to watch over their son. I like snape, but i still feel resentment over how he treated the students in previous books. i doubt dumbledore told him to loathe and sneer at harry, ron, and hermione.

Ok it was obvious that Snape was in love with Lily but the fact that they used to be best friends was a total shock to me. I miss Sanpe! I was always adamant that he was misunderstood and I've been telling all my friend who've read the books or watched th movie that for years.

I must say Snape's death got me worse than any other death in the book it was just soo sad and I just couldn't stop crying about it. And to think he did all that he did for his love of Lily. it's just all soo sweet.

I was thinking the same thing.....but we have to wait until the Spoiler Ban is lifted.


I loved it, but I love Snape. It was so heartbreaking, him loving Lily, and possibly destroying any chance with her by calling her a "mudblood" Oh Snape, Snape, Snape....poor dear. I just want to hold him. *Holds Snape*

I cried at his death. I think that one hit me hardest. He died still helping Harry, and he finally looked into the EYES and not at everything else.

I always was on the Snape is on the good side camp. I also thought that he loved Lily and was "Dumbledore's man through and through".

It's nice to know that he turned out to be a good guy. I just felt soo badly for him. I cried all through The Prince's Tale. I wish Snape could of had a happier ending. He gave-up soo much and got so little in return. He never stopped loving Lily after all these year.

At least Harry acknowledges him in the end. Poor Snape.