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Warning: This page contains major spoilers for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Don't forget to check out the new Condensed Version - your handy-dandy guide to defending Snape.
Reasons to believe Snape Is Not Evil: (the long version)
1. The scene at Spinner’s End feels very staged
This is the first time (in my memory) where we see Snape from a non-Harry Potter Point of View so there is no reason for it to be anything but objective. However, this whole scene feels very staged. Throughout their conversation, Snape’s answers always sound very pat and well rehearsed. He has clearly thought about all of them many times before. Why would that be true unless he is really on the side of good? (HBP, p. 25-31)
2. Snape could not have “hoodwinked” Dumbledore
Snape’s logic about why Bellatrix and Narcissa should believe he is true to Voldemort sounds suspiciously like a good reason for us to believe he is true to Dumbledore.
In response to Bellatrix’s doubts, Snape says: “You think he is mistaken? Or that I have somehow hoodwinked him? Fooled the Dark Lord, the greatest wizard, the most accomplished Legilimens the world has ever seen?” (HBP, p. 26)
It is impossible to read these lines without thinking of Dumbledore. Throughout the books we have been led to believe Dumbledore is the greatest wizard alive and we know that he is someone even Voldemort fears. It seems highly likely that Rowling wanted readers to draw this parallel and wanted them to wonder the same thing about Dumbledore in the end. But is it really possible that Snape could “hoodwink” Dumbledore? I doubt it. To believe that would mean believing that we shouldn’t have trusted Dumbledore throughout the series and that is clearly not true. As Hermione said in book 5 - if we can’t trust Dumbledore then who can we trust?
3. Snape hesitates during the Unbreakable Vow
During the final part of the Unbreakable Vow, when Narcissa asks Snape to carry out the task if Draco fails, Snape hesitates.
“And, should it prove necessary... if it seems Draco will fail...” whispered Narcissa (Snape’s hand twitched within hers, but he did not draw away), “will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?” (HBP, p. 36)
Throughout the series we have seen small gestures such as this have greater significance later on. (The look of triumph, Umbridge moving slightly forward when Dumbledore accuses someone of sending the Dementors) It is not possible that this twitch of Snape’s hand has no importance. On the contrary, I believe it shows that Snape and Dumbledore may already have discussed this and Snape knows what he has to do, but he’s not happy about it.
4. Dumbledore has decided to tell Harry everything.
Throughout the book it is clear that Dumbledore has decided to let Harry in on all of the information he has about Voldemort. It almost seems that he is doing this so that Harry could carry on even without him. This makes perfect sense if he knew he would die soon.
5. Dumbledore gives Snape the Defense Against the Dark Arts position
In this book we learn that the position is cursed and Dumbledore gives it to Snape anyway despite the fact that we have been lead to believe such a thing would bring out the worst in Snape. Why would Dumbledore do this? Either he trusts Snape enough to not worry about it or he already knew for a fact that Snape would not stay the whole year. Obviously, a plan was already in motion. We have to give Dumbledore credit. He is not unintelligent and certainly not prone to stupid mistakes. He must have thought this through a great deal.
6. Dumbledore is a great wizard.
Throughout the series we have been shown what a great wizard Dumbledore is. He is the only wizard Voldemort ever feared. Is it really possible that Snape could defeat him so easily? More than that, is it possible that Rowling really expects us to believe he could? We are supposed to question it.
7. Harry defends the Half-Blood Prince
Over and over again, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, Harry defends the “Half-Blood Prince”. Since the “Half-Blood Prince” ends up being Snape all along, shouldn’t the parallel hold true? At the very least, it should be enough to make us question something so clear cut as “Snape is pure evil”.
8. Snape does a decent job of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts
If he were truly evil, why would he want to teach Harry and his friends to defend themselves against the Dark Arts? Hermione even compares Snape’s views to Harry’s.
“Yes, when you were telling us what it’s like to face Voldemort. You said it wasn’t just memorizing a bunch of spells, you said it was just you and your brain and your guts - well, wasn’t that what Snape was saying? That it really comes down to being brave and quick-thinking?” (HBP, p. 181)
Why draw this comparison at all if Snape were really evil?
9. Why else would Snape be afraid of Malfoy?
When Filch finds Malfoy lurking in the halls and brings him to Slughorn’s Christmas party, we get a brief glimpse of something strange.
“Filch’s expression of outraged disappointment was perfectly predictable; but why, Harry wondered, watching him, did Malfoy look almost equally unhappy? And why was Snape looking at Malfoy as though both angry and... was it possible?... a little afraid?” (HBP, p. 321)
I’m still a little uncertain about this scene, but I think it’s possible that Snape is afraid because this reminds him of what will have to happen in the end. At the very least, I can’t see why he would be afraid if he had no problem with Draco carrying out his task.
10. Snape’s interrogation of Malfoy
When Snape takes Malfoy away from Slughorn’s party to question him, he seems very concerned with getting answers from him. Although Harry comes away from his eavesdropping feeling that Snape was trying to help Malfoy, there is little to suggest to the reader that this was his only goal. There is much more in the conversation that suggests Snape was trying to get answers from Malfoy and he didn’t care how he got them. He even tries to use Legilimency. Why would someone do this on an ally? I have a hard time figuring out why Snape would be pressing Malfoy so hard for information if he was truly evil. If Snape simply wanted to help he could do something even without the details like grant Malfoy special privileges or offer his services as a lookout or something.
11. Even Dumbledore warns that Harry is missing something
When, during one of their lessons, Harry tells Dumbledore all about what he heard Snape and Malfoy discussing, Dumbledore doesn’t really seem surprised. After Harry keeps pressing him on it, he finally suggests that Harry doesn’t have all of the details and is missing a key part.
“Yes, Harry, blessed as I am with extraordinary brainpower, I understood everything you told me,” said Dumbledore, a little sharply. “I think you might even consider the possibility that I understood more than you did. Again, I am glad that you have confided in me, but let me reassure you that you have not told me anything that causes me disquiet.” (HBP, p. 358-359)
12. Dumbledore didn’t trust Tom Riddle
I find it highly unlikely that Snape was able to fool Dumbledore all this time when even Tom Riddle couldn’t do it. Dumbledore kept a close watch on Riddle throughout his school days and never completely trusted him. On the other hand, Dumbledore seems to have no doubt Snape is trustworthy. He obviously has a very good reason that we are not aware of yet.
13. Even Voldemort gets some sympathy in this book
Throughout the series of memories we see involving Voldemort’s childhood, it is clear that we are supposed to feel a little sorry for him at some points. Nothing excuses what he ultimately did and there is no doubt he is now a very evil man, but if the reader (and Harry) can spare a little sympathy for Voldemort, how can we possibly be expected to write Snape off as completely and horribly evil? Rowling clearly doesn’t intend us to and those who have are not looking past the surface. One of the great themes of this series so far has been that nothing is black and white.
14. Snape and Dumbledore were arguing about something important
“Well - I jus’ heard Snape sayin’ Duumbledore took too much fer granted an’ maybe he - Snape - didn’ wan’ ter do it anymore-“
”Do what?”
“I dunno, Harry, it sounded like Snape was feelin’ a bit overworked, that’s all - anyway, Dumbledore told him flat out he’d agreed ter do it an’ that was all there was to it. Pretty firm with him. An’ then he said summat abou’ Snape makin’ investigations in his House, in Slytherin. Well, there’s nothin’ strange abou’ that!” Hagrid added hastily, as Harry and Hermione exchanged looks full of meaning. “All the Heads o’ Houses were asked ter look inter that necklace business-“
(HBP, p. 405 -406)
Clearly, we don’t yet know what exactly this argument was about, but it seems very unlikely that it is exactly what it seems. As we’ve seen over and over again in this series, things like this rarely turn out to be as simple as they first appear and frequently the conclusion that Harry first jumps to turns out to be wrong (like when he overheard Snape threatening Quirrel in Book1). I think it’s very possible Snape and Dumbledore were arguing about some kind of plan they had formulated - possibly one that could end in Snape killing Dumbledore. There is a parallel between Snape’s refusals and Dumbledore reminding him of his promise and the similar scene later on in The Cave where Dumbledore uses similar logic on Harry. Rowling rarely reuses such things unless we are supposed to draw a parallel. If Snape respects Dumbledore, as we’ve always been led to believe, he could very well have promised to do whatever Dumbledore ordered him to do without fully understanding the implications.
15. Dumbledore is very anxious to get Slughorn’s memory
Once Dumbledore gives Harry the task of procuring Slughorn’s complete memory about Horcruxes, he is very anxious to get it. Was he perhaps on some kind of timetable? Did he know that he needed to find out quickly before it was too late? Maybe he knew he didn’t have much time left to live.
16. Snape aided Dumbledore after he was injured getting the ring
We are told by Dumbledore that after he got the ring Horcrux, he was badly injured and Snape fixed him up. Why would Snape not just let him die if he really wanted to kill him?
17. Dumbledore insists that he and Harry go to find the Horcrux
Even after Harry tells Dumbledore about Malfoy celebrating because he has clearly accomplished the task he was working on, Dumbledore doesn’t postpone their task. One could even argue that he seems even more motivated to go on. Could this be because he knows he won’t survive Malfoy’s trap? Harry has offered some pretty startling revelations and Dumbledore is not an idiot. There must be more to this than there at first seems to be. (HBP, p. 550)
18. Dumbledore’s words to Harry just before they go to the Cave
Dumbledore makes Harry promise to obey any command he gives him even if it is something that might put Dumbledore in danger. This seems very similar to the argument Hagrid overheard between Snape and Dumbledore early on.
19.Dumbledore suggests that he is no longer valuable
On at least two occasions, Dumbledore reminds Harry that he is less valuable than Harry. The first instance is when they enter The Cave.
“Your blood is worth more than mine.” Dumbledore to harry (HBP, p. 560)
Why else put this in there unless Dumbledore knew he was going to die soon. The second instance is just before Dumbledore drinks the mystery potion.
“Why can’t I drink the potion instead?” asked Harry desperately.
“Because I am much older, much cleverer, and much less valuable,” said Dumbledore. (HBP, p. 570)
20. Dumbledore reminds Harry not to fear death
“There is nothing to be feared from a body, Harry, any more than there is anything to be feared from the darkness. Lord Voldemort, who of course secretly fears both, disagrees. But once again he reveals his own lack of wisdom. It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.” (HBP, p. 566)
21. Dumbledore tells us the mystery potion may be deadly
He only says it won’t kill him immediately and we know he struggled under it for a long time on the journey back to Hogwart’s and on top of the tower. (p. 569)
22. The potion scene is particularly hard to endure/read
It is impossible to read this scene without feeling appalled. Dumbledore is in pain or anguish and Harry is forced to keep giving him potion because he promised to do so. (HBP, p. 569) Why put in such an uncomfortable scene - especially one so similar to what ultimately happens between Snape and Dumbledore - unless we are supposed to remember it and draw from it later? We’ve already been given some of the parallels with the argument overheard by Hagrid so, why not follow the parallel all the way to its ultimate conclusion - that snape was equally appalled when he had to kill Dumbledore, but he had to follow orders no matter what.
23. The content of Dumbledore’s potion-induced ravings
Throughout the potion-drinking scene, Dumbledore says things like “I want to die.” and “Kill me!” (HBP, p. 573) These sentences all had to be there for a reason. Their presence alone casts doubt on the simple interpretation of the scene where Snape kills Dumbledore. It seems likely that similar sentiments may have been involved there. Why else place this scene with these words shortly before Dumbledore’s death scene unless you want to give the reader some sense of doubt.
Note: All quotes refer to the American Hardcover Scholastic edition