Part of the reason I found Harry Potter Series attractive was the intricate setting of the relationships between its characters, especially the one between Harry and Snape. In the chapter of Snape's worst memory, J.K. Rowling gave us an inside to the past of this dark, mysterious professor. If I haven't read Deathly Hallow, (bad habit, but I couldn't resist the temptation) I would probably find this part quiet funny. Young James and Sirius, so energetic and carefree, have made fun of Snape in public. Considering all the hard time Snape have given to Harry, I probably would think that James and Sirius had just taught him a good lesson which he deserved. But after knowing the story behind those icy black eyes, all my heart went out to poor Snape with no slightly holding back. What kind of humiliations he went through, being hung upside-down with underpants exposed in front of the only one he cared about in the world, the one he loved desperately with his whole life? It's really beyond a mischievous joke, quiet cruel and relentless. I can't bring my heart to blame James and Sirius. They were only fifteen, and just got a bit carried away at that time. But with this memory unsealed, I know that Snape had every good reason to hate James to the guts. Still, he died to save James' son-Harry.

Lilly died for Harry. I was touched but I knew I would do the same for my son in the same situation. After all it's mother's nature to protect their baby. Sirius died for Harry. I was deeply moved but I can't help but think it might be a good ending for him. Sirius Black, used to be so proud and daring, have been trapped in her mother's house ever since he broke free from Azkaban. What's the big difference between those two places? Sometimes I think he would prefer Dementor's kiss to the jeers and insults from Snape. He is a soldier, a fighter, who would never content to sit at home in hiding while the others are all engaged in the battle. Besides, Harry is not only his godson, but also his whole family (Kreacher doesn't count), the all he got now. So it didn't come as a surprise that he died for Harry. At least, he died like a hero. But Snape died for Harry. I was shocked and speechless! What kind of love and courage could make a man like that to die for his enemy's son? Snape's love toward Potter's mother was so strong and desperate in vain. For her, he gave up his pursuit to Dark Art; He betrayed the one nobody else dared to betray; He killed the only man whom he could trust; He put his life on the edge. Still, it was not enough. This blind burning love led him to a road with no turning back-the death, the final end.

Snape never knew how to express his true feelings, especially to Lilly. When she came up to help, he even shouted to her and called her mudblood. That's stupid male pride. He would rather die for her than bearing her pity. He buried his tenderness and love under his iron mask so deeply that until death he was still tragically misunderstood. He didn't die as a hero, but as a disgusting traitor and murderer.

After finish reading this book, I finally realize that Harry Potter was not just a bed story for children. It is not a simple fairy tale with a dualistic view of good and evil. It brought us to a world closer to the reality-where not only the black and the white exist but also a large grey space co-exists.