Dumbledore and Snape
I really liked how JKR gave us the backstory on DD. It showed a complex, flawed, individual whose friendship with Grindelwald makes me think he would have done just as well in Slytherin House as Gryffindor. He was ambitious and driven, made colossal mistakes, showed remorse, and in the end, still got Harry's forgiveness and loyalty. I think DD saw Harry as his ticket to redemption, a way to make things right.
Poor Snape got the shorter end of the stick, as usual. Despite his remorse, he never got a chance to repair his friendship with the one person that truly mattered to him, Lily. Interestingly, despite being the spy, I think Snape was more honest with himself compared to DD. He stayed true to his nasty, unpleasant, obsessive nature. He never pretended, nor do I think he aspired, to be noble. I find it ironic how DD initially judged Snape harshly for being a Voldemort supporter, never mind that he too had dabbled with a sociopath in his youth. I do wish JKR gave us more insights into Snape's motivation for becoming a DE. I don't think it was because he wanted to expunge the wizarding world of muggle-borns, but maybe because it enabled him to explore his fascination with the Dark Arts?
Poor Snape got the shorter end of the stick, as usual. Despite his remorse, he never got a chance to repair his friendship with the one person that truly mattered to him, Lily. Interestingly, despite being the spy, I think Snape was more honest with himself compared to DD. He stayed true to his nasty, unpleasant, obsessive nature. He never pretended, nor do I think he aspired, to be noble. I find it ironic how DD initially judged Snape harshly for being a Voldemort supporter, never mind that he too had dabbled with a sociopath in his youth. I do wish JKR gave us more insights into Snape's motivation for becoming a DE. I don't think it was because he wanted to expunge the wizarding world of muggle-borns, but maybe because it enabled him to explore his fascination with the Dark Arts?