Meta: Snape was his own man
Source: Snape was his own man (Tumblr)
Snape being characterized as Dumbledore's lapdog is very annoying tbh. He's loyal to him because he believes in him and trusts him, but he's not afraid to criticize or defy him when he disagrees. He's even willing to outright defy his orders or work around them. Whether it's most everything regarding Lupin in third year, threatening with stopping spying if he doesn't tell him what's going on (which succeeds! Dumbledore capitulates!), defying his orders during the battle of the seven Potter's regarding keeping his cover, he's one of the characters least willing to just mindlessly obey him or take him at his word that his plans are good ideas. Which makes him ultimately choosing to follow his plans, being Dumbledore's man, as Harry puts it, all the more meaningful. He's choosing to enact his orders out of genuine belief that they're the right thing to do and will lead to the greater good of all.
Also the Occlumency lessons. When he got tired of them he just stopped lol
He was his own man. Equally annoying is some people’s headcanon that Dumbledore had blackmail material on Snape and that’s what ensured Snape’s loyalty. Bruh, at least from POA onward Snape has more on Dumbledore than the other way around.
I thought this was always the case.
The Prince’s Tale verified that both Dumbledore and Severus had their own agenda.
