by Carrie-Ann Campbell

Created on: July 24, 2008

What a twist! Shocker or what?!
How on earth did Snape turn out to...
Okay, I'm sorry, I can't even act surprised. It's official- Snape was working on the side of good all along. Actually in my opinion, he was the greatest hero in the novel.
While Harry Potter has always been the signature hero, the one who always actively resisted evil, I felt that Snape deserves some of the same glory. The character of Snape is complex, yet I feel that to deny him a place as the second greatest hero in the book is unfair.

For one thing, he was tempted by he Baddies; he was in fact one of them. He turns around and despite the obvious hatred that some other members of staff held for him- McGonagall admits she never really liked or trusted him; he stayed upon the side of good. He had to know that killing Dumbledore would result in everyone turning against him but he did it. He had to know that everyone else distrusted and disliked him. Yet despite all htis, he didn't go backto being a villain, where he was respected and held in high esteem.
That shows a great moral centre and personal strength and courage.

Should then, have Harry considered Professor Snape a friend?
Absolutely not.

I know it sounds strange- I proclaim Snape a hero, yet I make it clear I consider him to be one of Harry's foes.
Quite simply- Snape was never a friend to Harry. He was a friend to Harry's mother. The reason he abandoned the side of evil was to protect Harry's mother, he was in fact prepared to betray Harry and James Potter in order to have Lily spared.
When Dumbledore asks if he has grown to care for Harry after all, Snape is positively furious, and reveals it was only Lily whom he loved, and that is why he does not wish any harm to come to Harry.
In this way, while he is a hero, his loyalty is not, and never has been, towards Harry.
He in fact regards Harry to be like his father- arrogant, delighted to find himself famous, and mediocre.
It is very little doubt throughout the novel that Snape despises Harry. He certainly makes no secret of it. Although in the long run, Snape's actions allow Good to triumph over Evil, his actions are not borne out of any personal committment to Harry, except that which he holds with Harry's mother.
Snape delights in tormenting Harry throughout school, and in this way is a lot like Dudley, who bullied Harry throughout his childhood, then feels remorse. Snape bullies Harry throughout his school life and does not claim to be remorseful.
In fact, Snape is an obstacle for Harry in many ways; doesn't this then, make him an obstacle in the way of Good?
While I love Snape's character; it seems more human than almost any other character in the novel, I do regard him as being a foe to Harry and Harry's aims; although he was working on his side.

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