Severus Snape's Death v2.

[PerfectDystopia]

Okay, this something I was thinking about for a while. Nagini basically ripped out Snape's throat when she bit him with hard impact. And Snape falls to the floor and says "Take it" and "Look at me". I'm sure it was very difficult for him to that with all the blood gargling out of his mouth and leaking out of his throat. But I still think it would be impossible for him to speak. Wouldn't Snape's larynx be too damaged to be able to speak? Even if his larynx wasn't damaged, Snape was lying down and that would cause blood to fill up his throat, preventing oxygen being pushed up his trachea and reaching his larynx. I couldn't imagine anyone would be able to make anything but unintelligible sounds in that situation. Any thoughts on this?

[vampiricduck]

Originally Posted by PerfectDystopia

Okay, this something I was thinking about for a while. Nagini basically ripped out Snape's throat when she bit him with hard impact. And Snape falls to the floor and says "Take it" and "Look at me". I'm sure it was very difficult for him to that with all the blood gargling out of his mouth and leaking out of his throat. But I still think it would be impossible for him to speak. Wouldn't Snape's larynx be too damaged to be able to speak? Even if his larynx wasn't damaged, Snape was lying down and that would cause blood to fill up his throat, preventing oxygen being pushed up his trachea and reaching his larynx. I couldn't imagine anyone would be able to make anything but unintelligible sounds in that situation. Any thoughts on this?

Not necessarily. Depends on how far down she bit. I'm sure it was difficult, but getting cut through the windpipe would not stop speech, nor would the pharynx or palate and tongue stop working. The pain must have been intense, but as long as most of the voicebox remained in near perfect condition, he would have been able to choke out some words. He wouldn't have been able to maintain it, but just because she bit his neck does not mean that his voicebox was destroyed instantly. It's a bit... well, out of the way!

[janblack]

1. When you read Snape's death scene, how did you react?

Complete surprise.... I didn't expect him to die... it was a little abrupt....

2. Could Snape have done more to prevent his own death, at least in this manner or was it inevitable?

I think, imo, Snape was probably expecting something of this sort ever since he joined Voldemort but he was completely taken by surprise.... and it was a dangerous situation... even if he had defended himself he still would hav been killed.... but as I said he was probably quite taken by surprise...

3. Do you consider Snape's death fitting with the tragic life he had brought upon himself?
No... No one deserves to die like that... maybe voldy or bella but.....

4. Was it the sort of death you thought you'd ever see in the Harry Potter novels, bearing in mind it was more brutal and bloody than death at the hands of the Killing Curse?

I did think it was brutal and bloody, but I belived that as we moved further through the series, we'd get more graphic descriptions of deaths.

agreed... I really wasn't expecting anything else....

5. Up until his death what had your thoughts been on whether Snape would live or die and what were your reasons for believing what you did?
I really didn't pay much attention to him.... the fact that I read the book all through the night might have helped...

6. When Snape saw Harry do you believe he activated the memories to come out of him or do you believe they would have come out anyway regardless of whether anyone showed up?

He did it for Harry no doubt....

7. Do you believe Snape would have planned his death and made preparations to disclose the information Harry needed had Harry not been there at that time? What other ways could he have disclosed remnants of his past without alerting Voldemort?

He could have already made the memories and stored them and sending him a patronus when the time came... imo...

8. After you read the next chapter 'The Prince's Tale', did your feelings change at all regarding his death and the character?

Not really... It did to some extent... but atleast we got to know why he acted the way he did.... but still that doesn't excuse the way he treated Harry...

9. Do you believe Snape's death was the right way for Jo to bring closure to his self-induced tortured life?

Yes it was.... but tragic nonetheless...

[Kat_Suki]

Snape's Death


1. When you read Snape's death scene, how did you react?

I wasn't shocked that he died, I had expected him to die actually, because his character had been so ambigious throughout the series and neither side seemed to truly trust him. But I was shocked at the sheer brutality of it. He'd for years been Voldemort's 'supposed' second-hand, and yet Voldemort kills him without batting an eyelash.

2. Could Snape have done more to prevent his own death, at least in this manner or was it inevitable?

Well, I always thought his character would be killed off, but no, I don't think there was anything more that he could have done. He couldn't Disapparate, Voldemort would never have allowed him to escape, so how was he to get away from the dire situation he'd found himself in?

3. Do you consider Snape's death fitting with the tragic life he had brought upon himself?

Fitting? No. However, I'm thinking back on several well known and quite despised spies in history, which neither side ever trusted again following the end of hostilities. It would have been much worse, I think, to have him live. Harry would totally step forward and vouch for him, but this would be beyond would Snape would be able to bear on top of the totally insurmountable knowledge that Potter would know exactly what Snape had wanted kept from him at all costs, he being "Potter's son"; his feelings for Lily Evans.

4. Was it the sort of death you thought you'd ever see in the Harry Potter novels, bearing in mind it was more brutal and bloody than death at the hands of the Killing Curse?

Well, it was brutal and the suddenness was very shocking, but really, yeah, I'm not surprised to see it crop up. Especially considering all the other deaths we'd heard of: cold blood murder of mother/father and attempted murder of a 15 month old baby boy, kill shot directly at the head too. The death of the muggle Bryce, I think a lot of people speculated he'd been fed to Nagini *squik* because there'd never been a sign of him found and too that Voldemort said he'd be feeding Harry to Nagini too, and then that Muggle Studies teacher (Charity, I think) was killed and definitely eaten by Nagini. Urgghhh! The Inferi, the murder of Myrtle, the attempted killing of Ron and Harry by Aragog's nest...yeah, not really over the top, the manner that Snape died.

5. Up until his death what had your thoughts been on whether Snape would live or die and what were your reasons for believing what you did?

I always thought he'd die. He'd totally been the anti-hero of the fantasy story and generally the hero lives/dies, the evil-doers die, and the anti-heroes either live on in bitter exile, self-imposed or otherwise, or they die too.


Snape's Legacy


6. When Snape saw Harry do you believe he activated the memories to come out of him or do you believe they would have come out anyway regardless of whether anyone showed up?

Okay, well, we've seen people die throughout the series. None of them released memories like Snape did. I think it was his last brave act, his last ditch effort to attempt to avenge Lily by helping her son bring down the man responsible for her death.

7. Do you believe Snape would have planned his death and made preparations to disclose the information Harry needed had Harry not been there at that time? What other ways could he have disclosed remnants of his past without alerting Voldemort?

Planned his death? No. Snape didn't want to die. Certainly playing second-fiddle to Voldemort and Dumbledore's spy shows that Snape placed himself in grave-peril time and time and time again. He wasn't afraid to die but he didn't want to die, either. I think he'd been trying to figure out a way to convey to Harry that he was actually a "good guy", but would have been absolutely stymied as to how to convince Harry of it without getting himself hexed into oblivion or captured and sent to Azkaban or be rumbled by Voldemort who'd cottoned on. Another reason Snape 'had' to die.

8. After you read the next chapter 'The Prince's Tale', did your feelings change at all regarding his death and the character?

No, but I was never rabidly pro-Snape/anti-Snape, pro-Marauders/anti-Marauders either. I think there were snippets in the books that could lead one to conclude that he'd shared a friendship with Lily and that there could be more to just schoolboy loathing going on between James and Severus.

We'd seen snippets of Snape's memories before, we knew he'd not had a nice childhood. That Lily seemed to have been a very good friend of his, one that he'd watched from afar for a long time too, goes to Lily's kindness.

We knew he'd been in with a crowd at school who'd nearly all became Death Eaters, too. If Lily was 'incredibly kind' she still would not overlook that her dear friend had gone to the Dark Lord and was working to kill people such as herself, those unworthy Muggleborns.

9. Do you believe Snape's death was the right way for Jo to bring closure to his self-induced tortured life?

Yeah, I do. I'd really hate to see him without any real closure, to live on with no one really trusting him, except the boy of the man he hated, the boy who knew the most important thing about Snape. I think that would have been a horrible, horrible existance for him; couple that with Harry's desire and drive to see that Snape had very much received the accolades he'd deserved, I think would have been an incredibly bitter thing for Snape to have to live with every day of his life until he finally succumbed to death.

Even in death, I can imagine his portrait at Hogwarts still sneering and being hateful to Harry, despite Harry's efforts to ensure Snape's portrait hung where it belonged.

Jo had to give us a way that Snape died and yet still managed to pass that vital knowledge on to Harry before that death occurred. A straight out spell wouldn't have gotten the job done.

[TheShley]

Originally Posted by Morgoth

1. When you read Snape's death scene, how did you react?

I was shocked, I must say.

Originally Posted by Morgoth

2. Could Snape have done more to prevent his own death, at least in this manner or was it inevitable?

I dont think he could have done much, because I'm sure if he had tried, Voldy would have just killed him a different way.

Originally Posted by Morgoth

3. Do you consider Snape's death fitting with the tragic life he had brought upon himself?

I would have thought it was more fitting if Voldy had found out about him being Dumby's little helper. But he didnt know at that point, but I guess thats meant to show how cold and heartless Voldy is - killing off the servant whom he believed to be the most faithful.

Originally Posted by Morgoth

4. Was it the sort of death you thought you'd ever see in the Harry Potter novels, bearing in mind it was more brutal and bloody than death at the hands of the Killing Curse?

Yeah, I was a bit surprised that he used Nagini to kill him. But then again, there has been a lot of brutal killing and tourtures in the series. Not all of the have been done with the killing curse.

Originally Posted by Morgoth

5. Up until his death what had your thoughts been on whether Snape would live or die and what were your reasons for believing what you did?

I thought Snape would live - or Harry would kill him. I never thought Voldy would be the one to do it. And I think that is because I really wanted to hate Snape. It annoyed me that he was on Dumbledore's side - I wanted him to be evil! I had always believed Dumbledore was right to an extent, but once he killed him I was like 'Thats it! You are EVIL! But as a whole, I thought he'd live, but would have liked Harry to finish him off! (If he wasnt a 'good guy' that is)

Originally Posted by Morgoth

6. When Snape saw Harry do you believe he activated the memories to come out of him or do you believe they would have come out anyway regardless of whether anyone showed up?

I think he got them out, he was trying to get to Harry wasnt he? And luckily he saw him. He he hadn't have been there, Harry would have never known!

Originally Posted by Morgoth

7. Do you believe Snape would have planned his death and made preparations to disclose the information Harry needed had Harry not been there at that time? What other ways could he have disclosed remnants of his past without alerting Voldemort?

I dont think Snape had thought that far ahead. I do think he thought Voldy wouldnt find out - after all those years, why would he suddenly become suspicious?

Originally Posted by Morgoth

8. After you read the next chapter 'The Prince's Tale', did your feelings change at all regarding his death and the character?

I did dislike him a little less, and I understood Dumbledore's faith in him. But I still can not get over the way he treated Harry. He was a teacher and teachers are meant to teach. Not torment children because he didnt like his father! It was very unprofessional.

Originally Posted by Morgoth

9. Do you believe Snape's death was the right way for Jo to bring closure to his self-induced tortured life?

I would have liked to have seen Snape and Harry get over their differences. And for him to apologise - maybe even for Harry to as well. His tortured life would have been over anyway, once Voldemort was defeated. So I think its slightly unfare that Snapey had to die. It would have been a whole lot better for him to live and get closer to Harry, becaus Snape could have had some amazing stories to tell Harry about his mother.

[silver ink pot]

Originally Posted by TheShley

It would have been a whole lot better for him to live and get closer to Harry, becaus Snape could have had some amazing stories to tell Harry about his mother.

That's such a good point because it doesn't seem fair that Harry heard so much about James from his friends, but never anything from Lily's friends. In the end, Snape did pass the memories of Lily to Harry, but so much is missing.

I've probably written this somewhere before, but I think the saddest thing about Snape's death is that all his knowledge died with him. He was one of the most well-educated characters - a genius - but he never got to fulfill his potential the way Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel did. It seems to lack justice in that respect.

[wickedwickedboy]

Originally Posted by silver ink pot

That's such a good point because it doesn't seem fair that Harry heard so much about James from his friends, but never anything from Lily's friends. In the end, Snape did pass the memories of Lily to Harry, but so much is missing.

I've probably written this somewhere before, but I think the saddest thing about Snape's death is that all his knowledge died with him. He was one of the most well-educated characters - a genius - but he never got to fulfill his potential the way Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel did. It seems to lack justice in that respect.

Considering the things Snape had to say about his father, I truly doubt Harry would take anything he had to say about Lily without a big grain of salt. Snape was in a total fantasy world where Harry's parents were concerned, imo. As JKR pointed out, Harry wouldn't go talk to Snape's portrait even if given the opportunity to do so, and among other things, I feel it is because Snape's view on his mother, very likely deeply marred by his own gloss, would avail him of little reality about her. He'd be much better off locating a portrait of his mother and finding out whatever it knew, imo.

That to me does not stand for a reason for Snape to live. It has nothing to do with his life anyway - living for another is immaterial to Snape, especially someone he loathed. I think it was best he died all things considered, because if he'd of lived, I feel he would have completely withdrawn and become a recluse and eventually a hermit. That is the direction in which his life was headed, imo.

[Pearl_Took]

Originally Posted by silver ink pot

I've probably written this somewhere before, but I think the saddest thing about Snape's death is that all his knowledge died with him. He was one of the most well-educated characters - a genius - but he never got to fulfill his potential the way Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel did. It seems to lack justice in that respect.

Yup, that's certainly sad ... to me the saddest thing though is that Snape died as he had lived -- alone and misunderstood to the last.

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

I think it was best he died all things considered, because if he'd of lived, I feel he would have completely withdrawn and become a recluse and eventually a hermit. That is the direction in which his life was headed, imo.

I'm not quite sure how becoming a recluse or a hermit is somehow worse than dying a bloody, violent death at the age of thirty-eight, to be honest.

[wickedwickedboy]

Originally Posted by Pearl_Took

I'm not quite sure how becoming a recluse or a hermit is somehow worse than dying a bloody, violent death at the age of thirty-eight, to be honest.

for Muggles it would be worse to die. But for wizards the answer is easy. The death was all of 2 minutes - but the next great adventure lasts forever and as we saw, one is rejuvenated if they are brave enough to move on (and I assume Snape didn't choose to become a ghost.) But ghost or afterlife, either would be better than a life as a miserable recluse or hermit, imo.

[silver ink pot]

Originally Posted by Pearl Took

I'm not quite sure how becoming a recluse or a hermit is somehow worse than dying a bloody, violent death at the age of thirty-eight, to be honest.

And Snape still could have made discoveries to help the Wizarding World if he wasn't dead. Hermits can do stuff. They don't just sit around . . . hermiting all day.

[Pearl_Took]

Originally Posted by silver ink pot

And Snape still could have made discoveries to help the Wizarding World if he wasn't dead. Hermits can do stuff. They don't just sit around . . . hermiting all day.

Exactly!

Honestly, I can see him doing just that.

[wickedwickedboy]

But who would be happy? Snape or you? . I don't think miserably shut up in a locale attempting to find a potion to eliminate fear of vampires is half as exciting as inventing a mad number of potions for all types of things unknown in the afterworld - rejuvenated in body and in spirit (at least eventually). But that is just me.

[crookshanks15]

1. When you read Snape's death scene, how did you react?
shocked. I was not expecting him to do there and in that way. I was stunned.

2. Could Snape have done more to prevent his own death, at least in this manner or was it inevitable?
He could have choose to follow the good side way back with Lilly but choose the wrong path. Because of this he was doomed anyway.

3. Do you consider Snape's death fitting with the tragic life he had brought upon himself?
yes. he picked the troubled life and so he died horrifying.

4. Was it the sort of death you thought you'd ever see in the Harry Potter novels, bearing in mind it was more brutal and bloody than death at the hands of the Killing Curse?
yes. The books show brutal actions of people, there are many ways to die and I was sure LV didnt just use AK every time.

5. Up until his death what had your thoughts been on whether Snape would live or die and what were your reasons for believing what you did?
I thought he would die. This is because he is an evil person and on LVs side so harry would get him back.

6. When Snape saw Harry do you believe he activated the memories to come out of him or do you believe they would have come out anyway regardless of whether anyone showed up?
i think they would have come anyway because I think a bunch of memories were all flowing out of his mind at that time. I dont think he had enough energy to pluck only one memory which is why there were so many in that one strand instead of just harry is a horcrux one. He said to take it because he knew which one was on top i guess haha.

7. Do you believe Snape would have planned his death and made preparations to disclose the information Harry needed had Harry not been there at that time? What other ways could he have disclosed remnants of his past without alerting Voldemort?
No. He was completely shocked by the conversation and everything. He wanted to get away.

8. After you read the next chapter 'The Prince's Tale', did your feelings change at all regarding his death and the character?
no. he may have loved someone but that does NOT make him good, a hero, or a person harry should love. It doesnt excuse his actions.

9. Do you believe Snape's death was the right way for Jo to bring closure to his self-induced tortured life?
yes. He was able to do his job before he died. He didnt deserve to live a good life when he continuously was a mean person and never tried to redeem himself- just because he did dd's task doesnt mean he was good. He just had feelings for one person, never tried helping others.

[TheShley]

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

Considering the things Snape had to say about his father, I truly doubt Harry would take anything he had to say about Lily without a big grain of salt. Snape was in a total fantasy world where Harry's parents were concerned, imo. As JKR pointed out, Harry wouldn't go talk to Snape's portrait even if given the opportunity to do so, and among other things, I feel it is because Snape's view on his mother, very likely deeply marred by his own gloss, would avail him of little reality about her. He'd be much better off locating a portrait of his mother and finding out whatever it knew, imo.

That to me does not stand for a reason for Snape to live. It has nothing to do with his life anyway - living for another is immaterial to Snape, especially someone he loathed. I think it was best he died all things considered, because if he'd of lived, I feel he would have completely withdrawn and become a recluse and eventually a hermit. That is the direction in which his life was headed, imo.

I dont agree, I think that Harry - after seeing Snapes memories - would believe and enjoy Snape telling him stories. And I didnt mean that Snape should have lived souley to tell Harry about Lily! I meant that that would just be a nice thing for Harry - and even Snape to discuss. Snape spent the whole of Harry's time at Hogwarts bad mouthing his father, even though Dumbledore had told him he was more like Lily. It was be good for Snape because he spent so much of his life feeling bitter about James and he needed closure and Harry probably could have helped him.
I think, if snape had lived he would have been happier. He would have been headmaster, he wouldnt have become a recluse of hermit. I think it was a shame he died, because he didnt get to redeem himself. And everyone deserves the chance to do that.

Originally Posted by crookshanks15

[b]6. When Snape saw Harry do you believe he activated the memories to come out of him or do you believe they would have come out anyway regardless of whether anyone showed up?
i think they would have come anyway because I think a bunch of memories were all flowing out of his mind at that time. I dont think he had enough energy to pluck only one memory which is why there were so many in that one strand instead of just harry is a horcrux one. He said to take it because he knew which one was on top i guess haha. .

I'm pretty sure Harry was meant to see it all. How else was he to understand that he had to trust Snape? It was all important information. He had to know the whole story - not just a part of it.

Originally Posted by crookshanks15

8. After you read the next chapter 'The Prince's Tale', did your feelings change at all regarding his death and the character?
no. he may have loved someone but that does NOT make him good, a hero, or a person harry should love. It doesnt excuse his actions..

Its not the loving Lily that makes him good - its the fact that he risked his life everyday for years and years in order to help save Harry. He loved Lily, not Harry - yet he still helped and he still protected him. Only a good person could do something like that. Its not like Lily was still alive - she was gone, so he didnt have to do it, he did it because he knew it was the right thing to do. He was hero.

Originally Posted by crookshanks15

9. Do you believe Snape's death was the right way for Jo to bring closure to his self-induced tortured life?
yes. He was able to do his job before he died. He didnt deserve to live a good life when he continuously was a mean person and never tried to redeem himself- just because he did dd's task doesnt mean he was good. He just had feelings for one person, never tried helping others.

Snape helped lots of people by being in the Order, he never had the chance to redeem himself. Yes, he was bitter, yes he was cruel. But that doesnt mean that he didnt deserve to have a good life! He had spent his childhood being an outcast - he's had a rough time! And I truely believe that if he had lived, he would have redeened himself.

Crikey! I never thought I'd defend Snivellus!

[wickedwickedboy]

Originally Posted by TheShley

I dont agree, I think that Harry - after seeing Snapes memories - would believe and enjoy Snape telling him stories. And I didnt mean that Snape should have lived souley to tell Harry about Lily! I meant that that would just be a nice thing for Harry - and even Snape to discuss. Snape spent the whole of Harry's time at Hogwarts bad mouthing his father, even though Dumbledore had told him he was more like Lily. It was be good for Snape because he spent so much of his life feeling bitter about James and he needed closure and Harry probably could have helped him.
I think, if snape had lived he would have been happier. He would have been headmaster, he wouldnt have become a recluse of hermit. I think it was a shame he died, because he didnt get to redeem himself. And everyone deserves the chance to do that.

Well we just see it distinctly. JKR said that Snape didn't change when he died; he still loathed Harry, he still was bullying and cruel and so I do not see him suddenly becoming Mr. nice guy and wishing to discuss anything with Harry, imo. Snape would still belittle Harry and his father just as he always had. He would still covet Lily and not wish to share his feelings with "Potter's son" as I see it.

But either way, for Snape to live "for Harry" does not seem right or just to me. If he were to live, it should be for his own sake. He would not be headmaster until his name was cleared; he would not likely be able to teach at all until his criminal past was straightened out to the satisfaction of the authorities (not Harry). Snape did not seem happy as a professor and I do not believe that he would choose to go into academics as a free man. However, that is a matter of opinion. So for me, he ended up in a much better place - the afterworld - than any life for him would be in the earthly wizard world. In the afterworld, I feel it is much easier for people to come to grips with reality (from what we saw of those who briefly returned, that is true) - so Snape would find it easy to get over himself and over Lily and move on to the life he would have been able to have if he'd never allowed his dark arts fascination and quest for power guide his young life, and his unhealthy holding on to emotions guide his latter years, imo.

[TheShley]

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

Well we just see it distinctly. JKR said that Snape didn't change when he died; he still loathed Harry, he still was bullying and cruel and so I do not see him suddenly becoming Mr. nice guy and wishing to discuss anything with Harry, imo. Snape would still belittle Harry and his father just as he always had. He would still covet Lily and not wish to share his feelings with "Potter's son" as I see it.

Well, if that is really the case, then I'm glad he's dead! How could he have not changed? Surely everyone has to after such a horrific time. Harry hated Snape too, really hated him, yet he still called his child after him. How could Snape ignore such a gesture? And if Snape would still hate Harry, then he is not the bravest man, he is not a hero.

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

But either way, for Snape to live "for Harry" does not seem right or just to me. If he were to live, it should be for his own sake.

I didnt mean it for him to live for Harry - just that it would have been nice is all. He would have had to live for himself. It would have been good for him to put aside all his bitterness towards the world, and move on! If he was still as cruel as he was before all the stuff with Voldemort, after - years after - then that would be a very sad thing. He should have lived to improve the life he had for himself. And if he had, then he would have been able to get over his hatred for James and Harry and try and forge a relationship with the only person linked to the only person he has ever loved! Its a shame that he didnt get the chance to redeem himself - like I said before.

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

He would not be headmaster until his name was cleared; he would not likely be able to teach at all until his criminal past was straightened out to the satisfaction of the authorities (not Harry).

His name was cleared as far as I could see. He hadnt been suspected for DE activity since the first Voldemort war. Dumbledore always said that Snape was on their side - and now there is proof. He wouldnt have had trouble clearing his name, because he wouldnt have been accused.

[The_Green_Woods]

Originally Posted by TheShley

Well, if that is really the case, then I'm glad he's dead! How could he have not changed? Surely everyone has to after such a horrific time. Harry hated Snape too, really hated him, yet he still called his child after him. How could Snape ignore such a gesture? And if Snape would still hate Harry, then he is not the bravest man, he is not a hero.

JKR said it, but it does not find place in her books. There she made Snape give his most personal memories, which surely he would not have given to a boy he loathed IMO. JKR also said Snape was a small vindictive and mean man who she would want to slap hard. But in the Books she made Harry say that Snape was the bravest man he ever knew and had Harry name his son after Snape. So JKR IMO has presented different views in the Books which are conclusive than her opinions which are just like ours. In my opinion.

[wickedwickedboy]

Originally Posted by TheShley

His name was cleared as far as I could see. He hadnt been suspected for DE activity since the first Voldemort war. Dumbledore always said that Snape was on their side - and now there is proof. He wouldnt have had trouble clearing his name, because he wouldnt have been accused.

Well if he had lived instead of died, he would still have to have his name cleared. Snape would have to share his memories with the judges and they would be wary because they had been tricked before according to Dumbledore. Snape did kill Dumbledore and attend Death Eater meetings. The DEs that remained would say he was a loyal death eater. So it might be much harder to convince the rest of the world of the truth in the calmness of the post war atmosphere. Harry would speak for him, but they would already have his evidence provided by Snape himself in the form of his own memories.

Between that and all of the bitterness, guilt and desolation he seemed to live with, I don't think he'd of been a very happy camper. So I think JKR was actually doing him a kindness by allowing him to die. The afterworld would be much more pleasant in the long run, imo.

[Harry852]

I think it was really low! He had such a bad life and then it just gets wors! Then it just ends. . . .

[wickedwickedboy]

I didn't feel it was low. I don't feel the DEs thought their lives were bad; they seem to relish the work of murdering, pillaging, torturing and causing havoc in the wizard world. Remember how they all acted in DH? Snape was a DE and as such, just like all of the rest of them - making people in the wizard world suffer, imo. Then I feel he spent the rest of his life making himself and others miserable, so I don't think his death was low. No more than the others who were making people suffer and miserable their whole lives like Bella and Voldemort. I felt that they all had to go or be locked up as they didn't merit happiness in terms of fiction, imo. The only one who escaped the noose was Lucius - and I am still not sure why. .