A Harry Potter thread to pass the time

[tracilicious]

While I'm waiting for book seven, I've been rereading books four, five and six with an objective of figuring out if Snape is really on Voldemort's side. This thread doesn't need to be all about that, it is for all things HP.

Here's what I currently think about the Snape thing. I think that he is still loyal to Dumbledore, here's why:

In book four Snape is an enemy in the fake Moody's enemy mirror thing. If he was on Voldemort's side, he would be on the same side as Barty Crouch Jr.

Dumbledore says that he trusts him, and I think there must be some big reason. I don't think Dumbledore would take hiring a death eater lightly.

After he kills Dumbledore and he's running away from Harry, he doesn't hurt Harry, if fact he stops another death eater from hurting him. He uses the excuse that Voldemort wants him for himself, but I highly doubt that Voldemort would mind Harry being Crucio-ed a few times before Voldie kills him. Also, in his "I, the half blood prince" speech, he doesn't go on about Voldemort being the true ruler or whatever. In fact it seems like he is trying to teach Harry.

If Snape were truly on Voldie's side, I don't think he'd be able to resist a "ha-ha" type of speech to Dumbledore before he killed him. Instead, he just kills him and leaves. I think that Dumbledore made him do it in the same way that he made Harry promise to pour all the liquid down his throat in the cave.

My instinct says that Snape will play a large role in Voldie's downfall. I think he will help Harry in a crucial way.

I do wonder though about Snape's attachment to Draco Malfoy. The Malfoy's have always clearly been Voldemort supporters.

I'm sure I'll think of more, as I'm only halfway through book five this go round.

I must say that reading four, five and six in a row is pretty rough. So much happens in four, in five bad things happen to Harry with hardly a break, and Dumbledore dies in six.

I'm glad that it had been a while since I read Goblet of Fire when I saw the movie. They really are only the same on the very basicest of plot points. I did enjoy the movie, but the book is leagues better, IMO.

Anything to add? How long till book seven?