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

[davenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 136611

<justcarol67 at y...> wrote:
> Whether he tells Dumbledore about this scene [the Vow] or not (and 
> I think he does)

I disagree; notice on the tower that when Malfoy tells Dumbledore 
that Snape made the vow, he says "of course he would tell you that." 
He wantes Malfoy to think that Snape is lying to him about the Vow.  
It's possible that DD knows the Vow is for real but doesn't want 
Malfoy to know, but I believe that DD believes what he is saying - 
he believes that Snape lied to Malfoy.  

If DD knew it was true, then wouldn't he say something like "yes, 
and he had my permission" or "I am aware of that, and we have been 
working to help you reach this point, but now you can decide"?  
After all, he is trying to convince Malfoy that Snape is on DD's 
side; if Snape's devotion is complete enough that he and DD have 
been working within the vow, wouldn't he tell Malfoy that?

I think that Snape didn't tell DD about the vow, and the Vow is the 
reason for Snape's unwillingness to do whatever DD was asking him to 
do when Hagrid overheard them arguing - whatever it was would kill 
Snape.  Whether Snape ultimately killed DD against his will because 
of the Vow or if he is really devoted to LV, I guess we will see!

As an aside, I don't know why the UV isn't used more often!  Why 
doesn't DD make every teacher do the UV to protect the lives of 
every student (or just Harry)?  Quirrel, at least, wouldn't have 
been a problem; nor Moody if the Vow took place after he was 
replaced by Crouch.  There'd be no question of Snape's loyalty.

Maybe it's seen as dangerously lacking in foresight to have everyone 
going around staking their lives on an expectation of what the 
future will require of them...

- davenclaw