“DON’T–” screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them–“CALL ME COWARD!”
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Tags: bravery chasing courage coward cowardice deceit defensiveness howling killing murder murderers murders pain plans schemes screaming tricks/trickery yelping
This moment was one of the most persuasive passages for those convinced of Snape's trustworthiness between the releases of Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows. He looks demented with pain, as he considers what may have been his bravest act yet--killing his mentor, at his mentor's request. He is perhaps remembering a conversation he had with Dumbledore on the night of the Yule Ball, when Dumbledore tells him he is "...a braver man by far than Igor Karkaroff" (DH33).
--AK