I know it waaaaaay too late to take part in this discussion. Still, just for my own satisfiaction:
There is some huge differences in Snape/Riddle vs. Potter.
1. They were sorted into different Houses. Granted, that, according to some's theory of the Hat, is their choice. But I doubt when Snape/Riddle "decided" they prefer the Slytherin House, they were consciously choosing to be evil.
2. Harry was immdiately dubbed "the hero to save us all", "the one who vanquished the evil dark lord" when he entered the WW. And at least in the 1st year, no one expected otherwise. And even in subsequent years, when people started to have doubt, he always was able to prove himself still on the side of good when all's said and done. And he's always had two staunch supporters by his side, in 99% of cases. Whilst in Snape's case, at least according to Sirius (not sure how much we should give credit to this, but nevertheless.. ), he was believed to be dark even when he was but a 1st year. As for Riddle, DD's interaction with him in the orphanage certainly didn't say that he believes Tom to be essentially good. It's probably the opposite.
Kids almost always grow up to be what people around them expect them to be.
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There is some huge differences in Snape/Riddle vs. Potter.
1. They were sorted into different Houses. Granted, that, according to some's theory of the Hat, is their choice. But I doubt when Snape/Riddle "decided" they prefer the Slytherin House, they were consciously choosing to be evil.
2. Harry was immdiately dubbed "the hero to save us all", "the one who vanquished the evil dark lord" when he entered the WW. And at least in the 1st year, no one expected otherwise. And even in subsequent years, when people started to have doubt, he always was able to prove himself still on the side of good when all's said and done. And he's always had two staunch supporters by his side, in 99% of cases. Whilst in Snape's case, at least according to Sirius (not sure how much we should give credit to this, but nevertheless.. ), he was believed to be dark even when he was but a 1st year. As for Riddle, DD's interaction with him in the orphanage certainly didn't say that he believes Tom to be essentially good. It's probably the opposite.
Kids almost always grow up to be what people around them expect them to be.