Snape's predicament: The DADA jinx and the Unbreakable Vow

[Marianne S.]

No: HPFGUIDX 136497

Carol wrote: <snip> Whether he tells Dumbledore about this scene or not (and I think he
does), the jinx on the DADA position has already struck. Whatever
happens, Severus Snape will not return to Hogwarts the following year.
Voldemort's vengeance has found its mark.

Marianne S: Carol made some excellent points... I can't compare, but I 
would like to add. 

Snape told the women that Dumbledore has suffered an injury, that is
"reflexes" are not what they were.  Of course, he does not tell them that 
it was he, Severus, who kept Dumbledore from dying as a result of the 
cursed ring, which means they also do not know that Dumbledore is after
horcruxes. 

I agree with what Carol wrote about making the vow. Through legilimency, he was
able to know what the task was, and of course it would be Dumbledore's will
that he protect Draco as well. But to kill Dumbledore... of course he had to agree
to that in front of the women. 

I wonder, then, could Dumbledore have already been dying? Could Snape have
known that whatever was in that ring was, in fact, slowly killing Dumbledore? We 
know that Dumbledore is a very old man... we know he's not afraid of death...
so I imagine, as Carol did, that Snape told Dumbledore of the vow. I would
surmise that Dumbledore knew he had to die, something he was ready for...
except for one thing. So Dumbledore had to teach Harry all Harry needs to know
about Tom and his life/motivation for creating the horcruxes. Only through
understanding our enemy can we best be prepared to defeat them. 

So I wonder... is Snape himself in on this plan? Surely if Harry is going to 
go after horcruxes that are guided by terrible, terrible poisons and curses... he's
going to need The Half Blood Prince's wisdom with potions. Though, if the curse
on the ring was powerful enough to basically Dumbledore's arm.. how IS Harry 
going to protect himself? Did Snape by any chance also make a vow to Dumbledore
to help protect Harry? Or, is Snape ALSO after these Horcruxes? I also believe
that Snape has to keep protecting Draco from Voldemort, as Voldemort would
surely know that Draco showed "weakness" which we all saw as heart.

Marianne S