Re: The redemption of Severus
John Nettleship was a former science teacher (chemistry, I think) of JKR, and is one of three people whom the character of Severus Snape is modeled after.
This BBC News story explains:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wale s/1731602.stm
This BBC News story explains:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wale