Why it makes sense that Snape died...

Why Severus' Death is Not Deliverance

If Severus survived Nagini's bite I still feel there would have been a moment when he believed he was dying. I feel the "Look at me" moment would still exist. Harry would still have Severus' memories to look through, and Harry would share those memories, not just through verbal retelling, but by showing the memories to others.

I imagined, that in the moment that Harry sees Severus bitten he rushed in after to save him. I feel he would send a Patronus to somebody, Kingsley asking for help. The only reason J.K. R didn't construct the moment that way was, as you said, for symbolic effect and to create a cyclical purpose for Severus' actions.

If Snape had survived the war, what sort of life would he have had after?

I believe, that with his knowledge of the Dark Arts, fundamental spell theory, spells, and Potions that he could either:

1) Return and teach Advanced Potions

2) Become an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries, as he has invented his own spells.

3) Return and teach The Theory of Dark Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and another class about The History of Dark Magic to give students and adult wizards a better understanding of the evolution of Dark Magic and its uses.

The list is really endless of 'what ifs'. But when canon comes into play, I really don't think any of those good things would have happened, or could have happened.

In Canon, if Severus had survived, I believe he would have been allowed to get his strength back before being tried for his actions. However, as evidence of his role as a Double Agent, Severus' memories would be extracted and carefully dissected. The truth of his decisions would be weighed, and under Kingsley's Ministry Severus would be given a punishment, House Arrest or Term in Azkaban (non-Demontor guarded) equal the the severity of his individual actions.

So, in a way his life would not be happy. I believe, due to his self-blame and self-loathing, in terms of blaming himself for Lily's death, he would insist upon serving time. However, his memories being taken into account, and Harry having seen them (as I think in Canon, had Severus survived, there would still be a moment he thought he was dying), he would be viewed in a positive light for taking responsibility for his actions.

After his prison term Severus would choose a life out of the lime light. But, I don't believe that Harry would leave him alone, having witnessed his memories. Severus, although he would act surly and aloof, would find a secret part of himself enjoying being around Harry and his family, although there would be that "much suffered" attitude toward it. Because he was a double agent I believe he would be viewed as having repented and gain status as a war hero.

I don't think he would ever stop, and I think allowing himself to even have a hint of romantic feelings to someone else would have felt like a betrayal to her.

Severus would never stop loving Lily. He would also never stop blaming himself for her death. However, in Canon, if he survived I believe he would at least allow friends into his life. I don't think he would be capable to trusting a woman with his heart, as the only woman he loved ex-communicated him from her life.

I do think, that despite this self-blame, Severus could let another person become a close friend and confidant, someone to lift his spirits and understand him. But, I agree he would not fall in love.

If Snape had survived, what would he have really done after the war?

I believe, added to the prison term, that he would return to Spinner's End, not for sentimental reasons, but because he owned it. He would live his life out of the lime light and in relative seclusion, although Minerva and a few other people may refuse to let him be alone. As I've already said that his memories would still be knowledge people would have due to the trial.

What would there be left for Snape to do?

Severus vowed to protect Harry. No matter what misplaced grudge or misplaced anger he may have demonstrated. Voldemort is gone. But Pure-Bloodists aren't, and certainly not every Death Eater or Death Eater in training would have been caught after the final battle. There would still be raids to go on and Harry would face dangers.

Since Severus doesn't "half ass" anything he would still protect Harry. And even Harry's children, as Lily's grandchildren. I can see him having a (much denied) soft spot for Lily Luna. Severus wouldn't be forgiven right away, it takes Harry 19 years to come to terms with who Severus is, in Canon after he dies. But, there would be a mutual respect between the two.

When it was all done, what was really left? What purpose would Snape's life now have?

Just because Voldemort is gone doesn't mean that Severus never had goals for himself. He'l have to spend every moment of his remaining life repairing the view people have of him. He'll have to work twice as hard to gain trust and be known as a reliable person. But, I believe that he could be an Auror or as I've said an UnSpeakable, or return to teaching as he is a "creature of habit."

I think he would just continue to be miserable, lonely, and dissatisfied with his life, and that really saddens me.

Severus, who does all things will a fervent, obsessive approach, does not Trust easily. He trusted Lily, who ultimately pushed him away. He loved Lily. He lost Lily.

All these life-changing moments happen between the ages of 9 and Early-20s. That shows how easily a young person's mind can be molded or influenced by life-threatening and life-changing moments. Lily was a life-changing moment. Being stuck in Slytherin, due to him ambition, was life-threatening (as a Half-blood he faced physical, emotional and mental harm). It just so happened that life-threatening overruled life-changing.

I don't think that other people: Harry, Minerva, Hermione would allow him to be miserable, having found out about his memories and the situations that he went through as a young person. He obviously did not personally buy into Pure-Bloodism. He felt guilty, tried to back track and repair what went wrong.

Because of this, I don't think he would live totally isolated and miserable, but it would take him a long time to be able to understand why someone would be genuinely nice to him, forgive him when he can't forgive himself.


When has Snape ever looked past the James in Harry?

Harry has Lily's eyes. That fact did not escape Severus the first time he laid eyes on Harry during Harry's first year. Dumbledore constantly reminded Severus that Harry was Lily's son. Severus, even though Harry visually reminded him of James, spent his time attempting, in his abrasive, vinidictive manner, to teach Harry important life lessons.

But, to reiterate a known fact, Harry reminded Severus of his pre-teen and adolescent years, the most prevalent years of a person's life. Pre-teens and teenagers are extremely easy to mold in terms of beliefs, friend groups, and first impressions - whether that impression be positive (as Severus' was of Lily) or negative (as was his view of James).

To be fair to Severus, James ridiculed him and was, in Severus' memory, aside from saving his life, the one person Severus associated with humiliation. And Harry, resembling James physically and somewhat personality wise, became the source for Severus' pent up anger. That does not justify Severus' treatment of Harry.

However, there are plenty of times when Harry's eyes come in handy as reminders of who his mother is. So, Severus is dealing with a huge struggle, to reconcile who Harry reminds him of: Lily, sweet, accepting, kind friend (who later refused to accept his apology or dissuade him from being a Death Eater) and James: arrogant, belittling rich bully with Harry-the-Indvidiual - a.k.a. the Harry that Ron and Hermione know.

Severus would not have protected Harry all those years if he truly only saw James in him.