As we all now know, much-maligned Severus Snape ultimately turned out to be a heroic individual. Only as he lay dying, when he imparted the essence of his critical memories to Harry Potter, did we finally learn of the sorrows and secrets that he was able to hide so well from everyone around him. The ultimate revelations essentially required that we re-read the entire Harry Potter series so that we could view all of Professor Snape's actions and activities in the proper light.
The cornerstone to understanding Severus Snape is acknowledging the single force which the Dark Lord cannot comprehend.
If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. - Albus Dumbledore
There was a glaring absence of love in much of Severus Snape's childhood and years at Hogwarts. His revealed memories alluded to the fractious relationship between his parents and their indifference toward the young Severus. Their neglect was followed in turn by the cruelties of James Potter and Sirius Black (as well as other individuals) toward the awkward and reclusive teenage Severus Snape. While Severus Snape no doubt contributed in part to his difficulties as a student at Hogwarts by dabbling in the Dark Arts, it is clear that the unrelenting bullying he endured hardened his heart and left him jaded and callous.
Shining through the bitter darkness in which Severus Snape found himself was his friendship with Lily Evans. Ultimately, his passionate yet unreturned love for her motivated his every action throughout his adulthood. He placed himself in peril on innumerable occasions; he served as a double agent against Voldemort at great risk; and he worked covertly, continuously and consistently to protect Harry, who was a constant reminder of his beloved Lily's love for another man -- a man with whom Severus Snape had an unwavering, mutual enmity.
How was Severus Snape able to hide so much from the Dark Lord? Just as Voldemort could not anticipate or grasp the enormous, protective power of Lily's love for her child, he also no doubt could not begin to imagine, let alone fathom, the enormity of the driving force behind Severus Snape. More potent and more wrenching than a love lost, was Severus Snape's unfulfilled love for Lily.
The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned. - William Somerset Maughm
Unrequited love is a phoenix within the heart: mythological and magical, it soars to impossible heights while crying out its terrible and beautiful song. It is consumed by its own flames and yet arises perpetually anew from the ashes. Its tears can heal wounds that would otherwise be mortal injuries. It is idealized; irrefutable; incomprehensible. Immortal.
Severus Snape: not heartless, as so many believed, but rather, perpetually heartbroken. Thankfully, Harry Potter ensured that the wizarding world ultimately understood Severus Snape's motivations and sacrifices. Justice and understanding belonged to Severus Snape in the end. We would do well to remember to be similarly kind to, and forgiving of, the lovelorn; for buried within their tortured souls may be the seeds of salvation for us all.
[Snape:] "Expecto Patronum!"
From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe: She landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were ful of tears.
"After all this time?"
"Always," said Snape.
*
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