[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape's part in death of Sirius - Revised Time

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 108208

Neri:

> Snape was the only member of the Order left in Hogwarts. From the 
> Order's point-of-view he was Harry's last line of defense. He was 
> also Harry's last communication channel to the Order. Snape knew 
> that, and he certainly knew what were the dangers to Harry. He also
> realized that Harry is under a mind attack from LV (again, DD 
> specifically mentions that he was). All Snape did was ensuring that
> Sirius is OK. After that he either didn't bother to check about 
> Harry's situation, or he did check, found that the suspicious 
> Umbridge took him to the dangerous Forbidden Forest, and did
> nothing about it (not even keeping HQ posted!) for several hours. 
> Several members speculated that he was too busy with other chores, 
> such as dehexing the Slytheryns. If this is true, then this is 
> exactly because he tried to handle a complicated emergency 
> situation all by himself, instead of calling reinforcements 
> immediately.

Sorry but I really don't see your point, Neri.  What was Snape
supposed to do?  Force his way into Umbridge's office and take him
away at wandpoint to get him to 12GP?  And why go to 12GP in the
first place?

Snape ascertained that the vision was false and Sirius was safe.  He
had no way of knowing that Harry had been trying to do anything but
TALK to someone - probably Sirius but perhaps the Weasleys at the
Burrow too - about it.  Umbridge prevented it but didn't know who
he'd been trying to contact.  Umbridge and the Draco Squad also have
the upper hand on the DA members.  What reason would Snape have to
assume that she wasn't just going to hand out detentions, confiscate
wands, gloat insufferably and send them all back to their dorms? 
What indication did Snape have that this scenario would not happen?

Yes, it's a concern that Voldemort is messing with Harry's mind again
but unless he can get Harry out of the safety of Hogwarts (which
doesn't seem at all possible with him literally in Umbridge's
clutches) then it's not a dangerous situation.  I really don't see
how Snape could have assumed that Umbridge would be stupid/crazy
enough to crucio Harry and that Hermione would come up with a bizarre
plan to save him.

Once he was aware that they had gone to the forest, he went after
them and notified the Order on the chance that Harry had gone to the
MOM.  And it was still only a chance. How on earth would they have
gone there?  Break into the broomshed and steal the brooms?  Floo
from Hogsmeade?  The likeliest thing was that they were in the woods
and he operated on that assumption with the addition warning to the
Order just in case.

The other Order members would not have a lot of faith in Snape's
ability to handle a situation if he fired off all-points-bulletins to
rouse the troops every time Harry had a bad dream or vision.  The
adult Order members know that Voldemort can and probably will play
with Harry's head - as long as they keep their own heads, they can
contain the damage.

Magda



		
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