Snape's stalling

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 116388


Alla wrote:
> 
> Actually, we don't necessarily differ on this one. You see, I am 
> HAPPY when Snape does the right thing. I WANT to believe the best 
of  him. The thing is - he dissapoints me  oh so often. :o)

Potioncat:
Keep in mind that when he does the right thing, he makes it look 
like the wrong thing.  Or at least doesn't make it clear what he is 
doing.

For example, being a ref in the Quidditch game.  BTW, I think there 
is still something we haven't been told about that.

But I am sure he went into the forest, swearing at the top of his 
lungs, sending the dark, wee beasties scampering for their lives.

>>Alla:
> 
> If Dumbledore said to Harry : "Professor Snape WENT to forest to 
> search for you". I would not question it for a minute. 
> 
> Just as you see ambiguity in the smashed flask scene, I think that 
> the word INTENDED used here for a reason.

Potioncat:
I accept your interpretation of INTENDED because I feel that once 
anyone has produced a different way of reading a section, that the 
question is valid. After all, we've learned not to trust things. 
Just like none of us would accept candy from the Weasley twins, 
we're not too quick to take things at face value.

However, here is how I read it.  It is a matter of tense.  DD is 
explaining the situation at one particular moment. Snape asked for a 
group to go look at MoM, he asked for Black to stay at HQ, and he 
intended to go search the forest.  At that moment, that was 
everyone's plan.(Aurors go to MoM, Black stays put, Snape looks in 
the forest.)

The only reason I could think of for DD to use intended to 
mean "planned to but didn't" would be to skirt the truth.  Not that  
he's never done that before.  As if DD spoke to Snape prior to 
talking to Harry,"Severus, what did you find in the forest?"
"Well, Headmaster, I intended to go, but I had to wash my hair first 
and by the time I was done I found out that Potter really was at the 
MoM."


>>>Alla: 
> What Dumbledore's quote are you talking about? I remember this 
> one "he informed the Order as soon as possible about what you had 
> just said" - OOP, p.833
> 
> But yes, I remember seeing "immediately" in the other context, I 
> just cannot find it right now.
> 
> I guess this refers to still unknown to us the means of 
> communications between Members of OOP

Potioncat:
It seems he said that when Harry did not return Snape contacted the 
Order immediately.  Sorry, don't have quote here.

I take all this to be JKR speaking through DD to say that Snape 
acted in an appropriate manner. DD is assuring Harry that Snape is 
trustworthy and did do his job.