Snape and AK curse

[Cindy L]

No: HPFGUIDX 136168

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "zgirnius" <zgirnius at y...> 
wrote:
> "Cindy" wrote:
> > Snape used the AK curse on DD.  Why?  DD was near death, slipping 
> > along the tower, with no wand.  All Snape had to do was use a 
spell 
> > to fling him off the tower.  It is very unlikely someone could 
> > survive such a fall, much less one in DD's condition.  Why *that* 
> > particular curse?
>

<SNIP> 
> zgirnius:
> > 2) That AK, if you read carefully, was perhaps odd. Unlike AKs we 
> have seen in the past, it did not drop DD in his tracks, 
it "blasted" 
> him into the air. He had his eyes closed, and a peaceful 
expression, 
> when viewed after the fall, instead of eyes open and a look of 
> horror. Also, there was blood. And finally, Harry remained frozen 
for 
> a few moments after the spell. He attributed this to shock, but 
> perhaps DD actually died moments after the spell was cast, and only 
> then was Harry freed from the body bind. 
> 
> These effects are attributed by different people to a nonverbal 
spell 
> Snape performed while speaking the AK, or to the idea that an AK 
> which *failed* might have the blast into the air effect. 

ME (CINDY):
I think this is a terrific answer!  I never thought of that - that 
Harry wasn't freed from the body bind spell immediately (even though 
it IS possible that he could have been frozen from shock).  And the 
peaceful expression on DD's face - very good!  Thanks.

<SNIP>
> Cindy again:
> >I think Snape *is* a 
> > coward; someone who follows the winning side.
> 
> zgirnius:
> I don't doubt he has done things that are less than optimally 
brave, 
> and killing DD may well be a prime example. But I think listing 
> cowardice as a fundamental character element for this guy is not 
> giving him enough credit.

ME (CINDY):
I still have to go with the theory that Snape follows the winning 
side.  For example, it is hard for me to believe that Harry will ever 
trust Snape again, so it would be strange to write Snape as turning 
out to be a good guy after all - Harry has had six books to learn to 
distrust Snape and he never did.  So therefore if Snape tries to help 
Harry - Harry won't go for it anyway.  It could even be a stumbling 
block.

Also, The Order won't trust Snape either, unless there is some 
convincing letter written by DD before his death explaining why he 
allowed Snape to kill him.  And how is Snape going to get around the 
fact that it *appeared* that he used the AK curse.  How will others 
know for sure?

Still ruminating over this. ;)

Cindy