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Foe

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Though in truth I would consider Snape neither, as I consider him to be more of an unwilling ally, he appears more as a foe than friend to Harry Potter. Throughout the series, Snapes undisguised disgust and anger towards Harry has only grown in its strength. Though he may assist Harry and company, it is never done with Harry's safety or wellbeing in mind.

The disastrous and revealing legilimency lessons serve as a summary of Snape's relationship with Harry. When Harry finally enters Snape's mind to witness the apparently unwarranted hazing of Snape by Harry's father, we are given the chance to understand why Snape could possibly hate the Hero of Hogwarts. Snape's anger towards James Potter is being visited upon his son. Due to this transference of hatred, Snape is most definitely not Harry's friend. Though Snape repeatedly rescues Harry, he makes it clear that it is unwilling.
At times, Snape does not receive or seek credit for Harry's protection. Though this can be interpreted as humbleness or the need for Snape's duplicity to remain a secret, it seems more likely that it is due to the fact that Snape wants no public part of saving Harry's life. At the end of the series, though Snapes increasingly obvious status as a double agent is positively revealed, it becomes clear that Snape was indeed an unwilling partner in the vow to preserve Harry's life. His motivation is admirable and romantic, but does not change his status from friend to foe. Snape's supposed "redemption" in book 7 does nothing to change his vile and angry behavior towards Harry his entire carrer at Hogwarts: Snape's only friend is Lily Potter's memory and his foe is anyone on the receiving end of her love.

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