ESE!Snape (Was loads of other stuff)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 98576

Siriusly Snapey Susan: 
> > He disobeyed a direct order from Dumbledore, yes.  THAT part 
> > surprises me.  But I think flawed Snape just couldn't take it 
any 
> > more.  I would love to have heard DD's conversation w/ Snape 
about 
> > that insubordination, but alas, JKR didn't make us privy to it.

Carol:
> Also, Snape not only informed the Order what was happening with 
Harry,
> he tried to prevent Sirius Black from going to the MoM. It was
> Sirius's own decision, and no fault of Snape's, that he went there,
> and it was his own taunt of Bellatrix that (apparently) caused her 
to
> cast the spell that threw him through the veil. His death is in no 
way
> Snape's fault--or Dumbledore's.

Jen: Talk about wanting to be a fly on the wall for a conversation, 
I would *love* to know what took place between Snape & Sirius that 
fateful night. Did Snape inform Sirius that Harry was on his way to 
the MOM, but Sirius needed to stay put like a good boy? Did Snape 
mention that he himself was doing important work for Dumbledore & 
the Order, but Sirius' job was to twiddle his thumbs and wait for 
news? I just can't imagine Snape passing on an opportunity to goad 
Sirius, especially after that scene where the two nearly came to 
blows. It would be very much in-character for Snape to remind Sirius 
of his "place" in the Order, just as it was in-character for Sirius 
to rush off recklessly despite orders from Dumbledore.

And that's not to say I believe Snape caused Sirius' death even if 
Snape did bait him that night. Dumbledore sums it up when he says 
Sirius is too old and clever to respond to taunts. But isn't Snape a 
little too old and clever to keep dishing it out?

And re: Dumbledore and his role in Sirius' death, DD believes he 
played a role in it and I think he's right. Dumbledore overstates 
his guilt--after all he can't force Sirius to stay if he chooses 
otherwise--but DD *continually* underestimates the emotional factors 
involved in human decision-making. This is a mistake Dumbledore 
makes over and over with all the people under his leadership. For 
that reason, he did play a role in Sirius' death, even though the 
burden of responsibity lies with Sirius. 

Jen
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