Death because of falling off?/ Re: Snape saving Harry

[rosich10002]

No: HPFGUIDX 54066

> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "finwitch" <finwitch at y...> 
> wrote:
> > 
<snip>

> > 
> > Not that his counter-curses didn't do what he intended, just that 
> > well, why didn't Snape steal Quirrell's attention - well, until 
> > Hermione *made* him to? Maybe move his hand in front of 
Quirrell's 
> > eyes? "Accidentally" step on Quirrell's foot?
> > 
> > If saving Harry was his first intent, he did not choose the most 
> > effective method to do that. He was showing off his knowledge of 
> > jinxes in duel with Quirrell - not exactly saving Harry.

ME:
Three explanations come to mind.  First, Snape was trying to be 
discreet about it.  He may not have known for sure that it was 
Quirrell doing the jinx, just that *someone* was jinxing the broom.  
Second, if he *did* know it was Quirrell for sure, he would not want 
to bring attention to the whole school on this.  I think hs style 
would be to deal with the problem quietly and then run and inform 
Dumbledore.  Finally, it was pointed out by both Snape and Hermione 
in book one that wizards are not the most logical creatures.  
Sometimes the simplest answer (dealing with something physically 
instead of magically for example) might be muggle thinking, but not 
immediately occur to a witch or wizard. 

> > 
> > And er.. Neville fell off from a broomstick that behaved as if 
> > jinxed, from high off and only broke his wrist. We have heard 
that 
> a 
> > Seeker has died, but that might have been a bludger hitting him 
on 
> > the head or a failed Wronski Feint. No wizard has been reported 
to 
> > die because of falling off!
> <snip>


ME:

Not reported that we know of.  But that doesn't mean Quirrell 
wouldn't have tried to do something else to Harry after he falls off 
the broom.  An extra-hard landing, for example.  And maybe Quirrell 
would've been happy to severely injure Harry to incapacitate him, and 
finish him off later.  As for Neville's injury.  I would imagine the 
kids fly a heck of a lot faster playing Quidditch than during flying 
practice.  Even if Neville had no control over his broom and fell 
off, he did not have to deal with bludgers and flying players 
speeding by during his descent.  Professional Quidditch players 
probably learn ways to protect themselves during falls.

On a final note, I can think of plenty of opportunities for Snape 
to "show off" his ability to perform counter-curses.  The fact that 
Harry didn't know that was up just further proves Snape was trying to 
simply do something good.  I just find man's efforts are underrated 
in the books and I hope his redemption story brings some great 
external reward (Order of Merlin?) in the end in addition to the 
moral victory for turning away from the dark lord.  

Gina