Lily/Snape -- Severus Snape in Love?

[blaqlives]

Discussion of the Madam Puddifoot's article Severus Snape in Love? by Rachel LaBozetta.

[sniffy]

I loved this editorial! Although I really don't care for the idea of Snape loving Lily, I'm beginning to think it true.

Your analysis of the Potions Master was very accurate, and it impressed me. I hate him, and at the same time, I feel sorry for him. I cannot imagine holding so much in; those emotions must be eating him alive.

I also liked how you compared Snape's hatred for both Siruis and James. That seemed like the most convincing evidence to me. What other reason would he have for not hating them both equally, if it wasn't about Lily?

Great job. I can't wait to learn more about Lily.

[mugglemom1970]

I've always thought Snape had, at the very least, a crush on Lily. Your editorial puts it so clearly though. He must have been beyond humiliated by James' treatment of him in front of Lily. I wonder if part of the attraction for James was Lily's unswerving quest to do what was right and stand up for the underdog. Perhaps Snape had a role in bringing them together, though I don't think he'd be too happy about it.

[EmynIthilien]

This is seriously one of the best shipping articles I have read (and that says a lot), for it was very intelligent and well thought out. Your conclusion was the best, about Harry represents to Snape all that he hated and could have loved in the world.

I especially liked the point that you brought about by the life-debt Snape "owed" to James. From everything that Snape has (really) ever said about James, you know that they hated each other so much that Snape wouldn't even feel he needed to pay James back for anything for James had done nothing to deserve it except "save his own skin." Lily is one of the only explanations for Snape to show any kindness and/or protection to Harry.

Poor Snape, I mean he really is a sympathetic character who has lived through so many horrors in his life that it's no surprise he turned out into the bitter man that he did. Snape needs to wear more emotions on his sleeve, no matter how much he thinks it is a weakness, for at the same he is closing himself off to others.

If Snape only was able to thank Lily, he would have garnered more respect from her and a friendship could have formed, just like the initial way Harry and Ron became friends with Hermione: They saved her from the troll (and the ridicule of others that had brought her there) just because it was the right think to do, not because they were expecting anything out of it.

Anyway, thanks for the wonderful editorial!

[Mae]

ooo, that's a good shipping article! not only was it unbiased (most articles out there tend to be quite...er...passionate to say the least), it was also very thought out and backed up with good points. none of that wishy-washy thing. it was very technical and very objective.

you know what i kept on thinking of while reading your article? helga ptaki and arnold from hey arnold! when helga was a toddler, harold and some other kids teased her, and only arnold made the move to defend her. when he did, the kids teased her some more, saying "oooo arnold and helga!!!" so instead of being grateful, she insulted arnold back! sound familiar?? of course we the viewers know the truth--that helga loves arnold like hell... not im not saying snape carried around a picture of lily wherever he went, or has a bubble-gum sculpture of her in his closet, but the similarities of the storyline DOES convince me that they theory of snape liking lily is probabale. i have heard this theory many times, but i always just scoff and turn my back on it. its only now that im giving it some consideration, cuz u backed it up so well, especially the part where snape seems to hate james more, even though its really sirius who's the more "evil" one.

[lizztigger]

I've always hated when people try to pair Snape and Lilly, but this editiorial really opened my eyes, I never really thought about how Snape's hatred for Harry goes beyond his hate for James, Harry is living, breathing proof of Snape's failure, and a constant reminder of how he lost Lilly to James, and whenever he looks at him he sees James, but also Lilly, wow, now I'm surpirised he doesn't need some serious therapy.

Very well done, I hope this plays out in the last books.

[Kristina001]

I loved this article. At first I thought it sucked, but I kept on reading and I found it interesting. The part that I didn't agree with is where you say that when Snape looks at Harry's eyes, he sees James. I like that you supported your evidence with that evaluation of Snape's worse memory.

With all of the terrible things Harry saw from Snape's childhood when he broke into his mind during Occumency lessons, it's quite hard to believe that the scene in the Pensieve could truly be "Snape's Worst Memory."

Now I'm sure Snape feels quite embarrassed and enraged by his treatment by the Marauders but I believe that "Snape's Worst Memory," this memory floating in the Pensieve, has to do with Lily. Let me be more specific: his worst memory has to do with himself AND his treatment of Lily. Lily is this girl who is intelligent and beautiful, with stunning emerald green eyes. She's the only person, other than Dumbledore, and the only female that we know of, to have ever courageously defended Severus and what does he do? He calls her names. Pretty tactless on his part.

That's where I realized you knew what you were saying. All that youo say doeshave reason. I can't believe that in the pensieve it's thatthought that is Snape's worst memory. But I just still have trouble getting myself to believe that Snape liked Lily. He could respect her, admire her, or feel guilty/ashamed of what he called her, but I can't imagine him loving her.

Maybe the reason Snape keeps saving Harry's life is much simpler: He wants to see Voldemort defeated and knows Harry is the only one who can do it.

Doesn't mean he wasn't in love with Lily anyway, though.

[iheartduckies]

That was excellent. I did always have a hunch that snape had a little something for lily. Your concluding paragraph was amazing and you summed everything up in such an interesting way. I do think that one of the factors for JKR getting goosebumbs was from the Lupin and Harry scene (sorry, not buying her getting worked up about Ron/Hermione awkward moments...). I can't wait to find out more about snape in HBP, i believe its 22 days now...maybe 21...ahh!!! To much anxiety! Anyways, great job, very good support.

[harry_be_mine]

How beautifully written was this editorial? I love the idea of Snape and Lily. I complete agree with the fact that he despises Harry because he is Lily and James in one. The person he hates and loves in the one person. What a great Editorial....

[naina]

Most cohesive shipping editorial yet!!!!
there has been so much speculation on why that memory in the pensieve was (or wasnt) Snape's worst, but this editorial really gave a rational understanding to his psyche.
He felt offended that someone like Lily, in front of whom,he wanted to be cool, strong and aloof, would come to his rescue! It simply caused his burning humiliation to turn to flaming anger (at his situation, james & co.) and directed it towards Lily.
In that state of mind, he couldnt have done anything different. His undoing seems to be a constant source of regret everytime he looks into those green eyes! He wants to make it up to Lily (through Harry) but he also seeks revenge from James (again through Harry!!)
Rachel's conclusion was spot on; Harry is a hodge-podge of everything Snape loathed and loved.From Snape's point of view its really Harry's fault that he's so screwed up!
He probably never thought that he'd face a dilemma of this sort when James and Lily got married!!!

[Hermione Snape]

That is exactly how I feel about poor Severus. I mean I can't believe Jo telling us go for the nice guy when Sirius was a toad in his treatment of Snape. (Don't know about any of you guys I hope he stays dead I couldn't stand that arrogant git!) They say that people bully people out of jealousy.

JO if you read this can I ask you what the heck was Sirius jealous of Snape for? Sirius was as you say sexy (are you confusing Gary Oldman with the character?) rich, clever and had girls gushing at him everytime he walked into the room.

Snape was NONE of these things and didn't even have manners yet...

Also you expect us to hate a character that you yourself have admitted to love writing! Sorry but be clear... should we or should we not hate Snape?

Anyway back to author of this superb ed. I also think it explains why he is otherwise nasty to Hermione, because she has Lily's personality and he knows that were she in his year would have done just the same. I can't help thinking that his protectiveness of her in the film (another changed scene) was another foreshadow.

I do think that one of the factors for JKR getting goosebumbs was from the Lupin and Harry scene (sorry, not buying her getting worked up about Ron/Hermione awkward moments...).

Completely agree with you iheartduckies!

[Carolyn Black]

Wow! great editorial! I agree with every word of it, I think that some of the people whom wrote and commented on the editorial about "Snape Worst memory" should read this one. I really think that this describes Snape's feelings most accurately.

P.S. To address Hermione Snape? comment about JKR telling girls to pick the good guys in the novel. She really is refering to Harry and Ron, and Sirius because he is grown up now. Not the arrogant git he was as a teen. Give him a break he was in Azkaban for 12 years.

Originally Posted by Hermione Snape

I can't help thinking that his protectiveness of her in the film (another changed scene) was another foreshadow.

What scene was this?

Convincing editorial btw, congrats to the author

[Amelda Bugsbane]

This is a brilliant editorial! Consise, well reasoned, and unbiased.

I guess I've never been fond of the idea of Snape and Lily because she is the mother of the hero of the story, and I never like to think of "the mother" ending up with somebody who wasn't "the father" and therefore never giving birth to the hero (or at least as we know him)

However, since reading OotP, I have felt it likely that Snape did have strong feelings for Lily...it's felt like an unavoidable fact.

Reading this article has only strengthened to view, and to be honest, it has reconsiled me more to this not being such an unsettling theory.

[libbypotter]

Loved this editorial!!!!!! When I first saw the title I expected a very tenuous link but your point on why this was Snape's worst memory was brilliant! After being a death eater, facing Voldemort etc his worst memory was when he was horrible to the girl he secretly loved. Great reasoning.

To the point mentioned above on when Snape protected Hermione - wasn't this when he pushed them behind him out in the grounds either from the transformed Lupin or dementors (sorry my inlaws have my DVD so I can't check)

[phoenician]

After reading OotP, I too thought there was a connection between Lily and Severus-- on his part anyway. You've made a nice argument why it truely was Snape's worst memory. I would like to add one point --- adding to Snape's hatred of Harry -- Harry's not just the embodiment of Snape's hate/love objects (James/Lily, respectively), Harry is the very reason his love object (possibly the only person he's ever loved) is dead.

[Nunduhunter]

Thank you for an excellent, well-written article!

Interesting to me was JKR's verification that Harry's eye-color would be important in the upcoming books. I thought that magical power being transferred through eye-color was a little bit of a difficult situation, but the social/psychological power of Harry's eye-color in relation to Snape's memory of Lily makes much more sense.

I also look forward to some of the promised backstories that JKR is putting into these next two books. We will learn more about Lily and James as people and also the relationship between Snape and Sirius. I am sure that a rich character such as Snape will enjoy a delightful delving-into by book seven.

[Rebellion]

I do think there can be something between Lily and Severus, it would explain his hate for James and Harry, also explain why he protect Harry.
But Severus also showed so much hate for mudblood, in OOTP. Hummm

What a mysterious character Snape is!! I´m still waiting for many explanations about Snape in the next books

[robinsena14]

Wow. That brings a whole new perspective to the Snape-hates-Harry thing. If Snape loved Lily, he's jealous of James, making him hate James... It's a brilliant editorial, really!