The Shrieking Shack-did Snape have ulterior motives?

[backstagemystic]

No: HPFGUIDX 85812

Syndicateblue wrote:

<<I have to agree with everything you said except for that paragraph.
To say that Snape's motives were benevolent and restrained here
seems to be a bit naive. To me, this opinion overlooks the fact
that Snape probably knew that by not finishing Sirius off, and
by "turning him over to proper authorities," Sirius would likely
receive the Dementor's Kiss, a fate far worse than death. Or at the
very least he would be put back in Azkaban, which is also a fate
worse than death. So an alternative explanation of Snape's motive
would be that Snape was only able to restrain himself because he
knew he would be duly rewarded for it when Sirius received an even
worse fate. And Snape would also come out smelling like a rose,
saving three students from death and bringing the most wanted wizard
in the world to justice. An Order of Merlin, First Class for sure.<<

I never said Snape's motives toward Sirius were benevolent, only that 
he showed restraint.

I agree with you that Snape was hoping for the outcome you outlined 
above.

But I'm also looking at the fact that he could have finished-off the 
job himself and claimed self-defense (i.e. when Sirius charged at him 
just after he'd bound Lupin ["Give me a reason to do it, and I swear 
I will"]).  

It might have even given him a sense of satisfaction to get to take 
direct revenge (both on the personal level for the "prank" and for 
the widespread belief that Sirius betrayed the Potters, murdered 
Pettigrew and others, etc.)...and be justified in doing so.

Then there's the conflicting image of Snape floating Black up to the 
castle on a stretcher along with the others, when he'd threatened to 
do otherwise:

-------
Black:  "As long as this boy brings his rat up to the castle" - he 
jerked his head at Ron - "I'll come quietly..."

Snape:  "Up to the castle?" said Snape silkily.  "I don't think we 
need to go that far.  All I have to do is call the dementors once we 
get out of the Willow.  They'll be very pleased to see you, 
Black...pleased enough to give you a little kiss, I daresay..."
-------

One would have thought he'd at least drag Black through the mud by 
his hair or something, first (maybe crack a few ribs with a swift 
kick of his boot for good measure), if not make good on his Dementor 
threat...that's what I meant by "restraint."


BM