Killing Snape. Who will do it?

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 136161

If this is the classic hero story that many here and JKR herself say 
that it is, then we have a problem with Snape, whether he is good or 
evil.

The classic story line:  Mentor dies so hero can go on alone.  
Coming of age story:  Hero must do it himself.

The Evil One in the story is LV.  The last battle must be between 
Harry and LV. Harry must face him alone. 

Problem with Snape:
If Snape is truly Evil then he is now more evil that LV.  LV seems 
in second place as a villain now and that just can't be.

If Snape is good, then Harry will still have an Adult helping him, 
he will not be doing it alone.  If Snape does something even 
somewhat heroic at this point Snape will seem to be a Hero and could 
overshadow Harry and THAT can not happen.

SO Snape good or evil, we will have to
  KILL HIM off early in book 
7. There is no other way.  He is getting in the way of our Hero 
vanquishing the Dark Lord.

So who will do it?  Options:
1.  Lucius finds Snape with Narcissa and kills him in a fit of 
rage.  NO. This will not happen, because this is a children's book.

2.  Bella is jealous of being in second place as Snape is now LV's 
favorite. She can not bear this and kills Snape.  Problem here is 
that LV is not going to like that very much.  Maybe she can convince 
LV that Snape is really still working for DD, but that is unlikely.

3. Snape is depressed, guilty (fill in the blank with another word 
if you wish) and he kills himself. This would make his Judas to DD's 
Christ. Could work, but still not likely.

4. A member of the Order kills him.  Lupin? 

Harry can not kill Snape, because even Snape knows that Harry can 
not and will not, and MUST NOT do an AK.  So we can rule that option 
out.

What do you think??  Let the debates begin.

Tonks_op