Reply #6: I just finished my fourth read-through (third for DH).

[Matilda]

I'm now beta-reading for HP fanfic, so I need to get as much canon in my head as possible.

Book 7 is the weakest link, IMO - it's not as well-structured as the earlier ones - I think the
best scenes are the those around the "death" of Harry - they really are quite powerful. Snape's
death was well-written, but when you stand back from it, it really doesn't add up. If Arthur didn't
die immediately after he was bitten, why did Snape die so fast? And as an antidote was discovered
for Arthur, it's hard to believe that Snape wouldn't have been able to replicate it, with his skills
at potions, and knowing he was always treading a fine line with Voldemort.

But it makes it very credible to resurrect Snape for fanfiction, and some writers are very creative
in the way they do it.