Narcissa's hair (HP&HBP spoilers)

[Carol]

SSS wrote:
> I never thought Snape was swayed by her beauty, either.  

Carol responds:
Well, maybe not by her beauty but by her desperation and her helplessness. He treats her (in contrast to Bellatrix) in a surprisingly gentlemanly manner throughout, and surely, he's reminded of Lily dying to save her son--and of his own desperate desire to save Lily. He's in the position of Dumbledore now, and unlike Dumbledore, he asks nothing in return.

SSS: 
> What I objected to in this scene -- besides the skunk hair -- was that Narcissa was supposed to be crying, begging, pleading, on her *knees* imploring Snape.  Instead, we saw someone who was, other than tears rimming her eyes, a pretty cool cucumber. 

Carol:
Another actor/actress who hasn't read the book, I guess. Why go to Snape for help if she's not desperate? 

> SSSusan:
> I've gotten to watch the scene three times now, and while the first one was kind of wasted on being stunned by the skunk hair, and the second on noticing that Narcissa wasn't acting as described in the book, the third time I really watched Alan Rickman.  (Yes, yes, I watch him closely always, but I mean I extra-focused. ;))  
> 
> Anyway... I thought Rickman did a fabulous job of showing with his eyes and face that he knew it was really the moment where his fate was sealed.  Yes, I agree that he probably would have watched over Draco somewhat and yes, he'd already talked to DD and knew what DD wanted him to do, but adding in the Unbreakable Vow meant that -- for two reasons now [the UV and the promise to DD] -- he was REALLY locked in to that fate.  The knowledge seemed, to me, to be written on his face before he uttered that last "I will."

Carol responds:
I still haven't seen the film (I know I'm procrastinating like Harry with his homework!), but I agree with your reading of the Unbreakable Vow. Yes, he'd have watched over Draco, anyway, and, yes, both LV and DD expect him to "do the deed," but now he has no escape. He's literally and figuratively *bound* to do it or die. (Bellatrix is not "the binder" for nothing, at least, not in the book, and the imagery of the ropes of fire twisting around their arms, "[binding . . . their clasped arms, like a rope, like a fiery snake" is terrifying (HBP Am. ed. 37). I'm glad that Rickman, at least, understands the significance.

Carol, intending to watch Snape's face and determined not to be sidetracked by bad casting or costuming in that crucial scene
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan
>