Heh, I have had many long discussions about Snape... Harry's about the least interesting character in the books, everyone else you can discuss forever. You know who I feel sorry for is Remus Lupin. Poor guy, he's lost everyone that matters to him, on top of the whole werewolf thing.
Is it too early to get our hopes up that Sirius is only mostly dead?
Gak! I'd almost forgotten about that!
I guess I must not be terribly good at sleuthing things out, because beyond finding out more about the animosity between James and Snape in its early stages, I still dont understand why Snape does the things he does ie stand up for Harry when he needs it, provide potions for Lupin etc. I *do* understand his hatred of Harry though : its amazing the kind of grudges people can pass on to offspring. Experienced that kind of spewing hatred myself. Had the misfortune of crossing paths with a school administrator that had locked horns with my mother once or twice. He transfered that animosity to me and made me pay for it.
I still have to make an effort to forgive him. Completely uncalled for.