Who's at fault for Snape v. Harry?

[mkaliz]

No: HPFGUIDX 67987

Someone, I believe Talia said:

> > Do you remember *why* Harry had to save Snape?  HRH stunned him.  
> Unlike when Snape used the countercurse.  Harry wasn't unconsious 
> with no means of defending himself.  As Snape was.  I don't think 
> it's really "saving their hide" if they don't even have a chance to 
> save themselves.  Not like Snape was just gonna spontaneously wake up 
> and stop the Dementors...

Then Darrin said:

> Oh, granted. But, a save is a save is a save. :) Without Harry, Snape 
> would be sucking Dementor face. 
>
> [ whole thing about the shrieking shack incident snipped out]
>
> So, I'd say he should feel some debt to Harry.

I'm not going to comment on the rest of the post since I believe that
I've already said my bit and I don't see the point of repeating myself.

However, I do want to add a few comments on this issue of Snape owing
a debt to Harry/Hermione/Ron/Sirius/Remus regarding Snape's "escape"
from the dementors and the Werewolf!Remus during PoA.

Darrin claims that "a save is a save is a save." I say, um, not quite.

If a burglar breaks into my house, robs it, shoots me, and *then is so
gracious as to phone the hospital* before he leaves...I find it
difficult to buy that I personally owe that criminal some sort of
"debt" because he did *the right thing* and kept me from bleeding to
death.

Snape's life was in danger precisely because of the actions of
Harry/Hermione/Ron/Sirius/Remus in the Shack. The fact that they then
"saved" him may well mitigate the circumstances of their acts (i.e.
hexing a professor, withholding critical information that was relevant
to an ongoing criminal investigation) but I find it a complete stretch
to say that Snape should feel *indebted* to any of them for 1)
knocking him unconscious, and then 2)oh-by-the-way making sure that
they didn't add manslaugther to their list of bad decisions that night. 

--kai