Snape's part in death of Sirius

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 107995

Neri: 
> Furthermore, all this haggling about the timeline does not change 
the 
> fact that, when Snape first contacted HQ, he didn't bother to tell 
> them that Harry had a false vision from Voldy's mind about Sirius 
> held hostage in the DoM. And according to DD, Snape did realize 
this 
> part. 
> 
> Avoiding just one of the above two mistakes would have likely 
> prevented the DoM battle and Sirius' death.  
> 
>

Potioncat:
To be honest, I didn't go upthread to review.  As it is, my kids 
call me a HarryPotterHead and my husband thinks I have a cyber-
boyfriend. (OK, men, which one of you is to be named in the suit?)

"If" we are arguing time, with time being important in Snape's 
actions, then, yes, considering that JKR made an error "or" used her 
magic universe as someone else suggested, makes sense and is 
allowable.

But, lets look at canon....not a timeline.  OoP, chapter 37 p830 (US)
"... He, like you attempted to contact Sirius at once.  I should 
explain that members of the Order of the Phoenix have more reliable 
methods of communicating than the fire in Dolores Umbridge's 
office.  Professor Snape found that Sirius was alive and safe in 
Grimmauld Place."

OK, I can read to that to mean he made contact, explained the 
situation and determined that Sirius was alive and safe. You 
(impersonal you, of course) You can read it to mean that Snape 
simply asked "Are you alive and safe?"  I'd love to elaborate here 
on how "I" think that would go, but it would appear sarcastic, and I 
am honestly not being sarcastic. But, see, we can both sincerely 
read this differently. (Just like the good old Sorting Hat.)

To continue quotes:
"When, however, you did not return from your trip into the forest 
with Dolores Umbridge, Professor Snape grew worried that you still 
believed Sirius to be a captive of Lord Voldermort's.  He alerted 
certain Order members at once."

We don't know when this is.  He contacts Grimmauld Place the first 
time moments after leaving Umbridge's office.("at once")  We do not 
know when he found out Potter, Umbridge and Granger had gone into 
the forest and not returned.  Did he find out, wait a little then 
get worried? Or did he find out at one time that Harry had gone into 
the forest and had not returned? Canon does not tell us. But again 
we're told he contacted HQ "at once".


To Continue quotes:
" ...A Moody, N Tonks, K Shackelbolt and R Lupin were at 
headquarters when he made contact. All agreed to go to your aid at 
once.  Professor Snape requested that Sirius remain behind, as he 
needed somebody to remain at headquarters to tell me what had 
happened, for I was due there at any moment.  In the meantime he, 
Professor Snape, intended to search the forest for you."

We don't know if Snape said, "Perhaps Potter is at the DoM, will you 
go look?" or if during Snape's report, one of the aurors 
said, "Let's go look in the DoM!"

Somehow, Snape knows that DD is due "any moment" at Grimmauld 
Place.  Did he talk to DD somewhere between calls to HQ?  Is it a 
scheduled event? Did KS tell him during this conversation?  Canon 
doesn't say. He requests that Black stay behind for those few 
moments to brief DD.  And, while Black was to wait for DD, Snape was 
going to search the forest.  

I think "intended" here means "planned" and that he did indeed 
search.  Black was to stay at HQ and Snape was to search the 
forest.  I think, that Snape's intention was that if someone would 
wait at HQ to report to DD, Snape was free to go look for Potter.  I 
know some take it to mean: he intended to, but didn't.  Again, canon 
interpretation.  Are both interpretations valid? 


Now, if all this is to make or refute the claim that Snape is the 
one responsible for Black's death.  I don't buy it.  I think that 
not having an Order Member at HQ waiting for DD, caused a delay in 
DD's arrival at the DoM and also contributed to loss of life.  

But I don't see the use in naming one person as being at fault. 
Mistakes were made by several people across a span of time.  It's a 
war. People die. 

BTW, I just completely re-read this and realised I snipped 
the "other" mistake Neri mentions.  I show that canon does not say 
whether Snape reported the false vision, or not,  although I read it 
as he did.  

I no longer recall what the second error was.  (Mind like a sieve!)

Maybe we should ask JKR what she intended?

Potioncat who hopes everyone knows this is all in fun