Plot holes (Was: It's over, Snape is evil)

[hickengruendler]

No: HPFGUIDX 137631

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Sherry Gomes" <sherriola at e...> 
wrote:
 
> Sherry now:
> 
> I have heard this said many times by those who believe Snape is on 
the side
> of good, and I would like clarification.  Do we actually *know* 
that the
> potion would kill Dumbledore?  It weakened him, sickened him, but I 
don't
> remember reading that it was definitely fatal. If I just missed it, 
then
> please refresh my memory.

Hickengruendler:

It wasn't confirmed. It's an assumption, but I think one that is 
supported in canon by two statements. First, Hermione telling Harry 
(and therefore Rowling telling the readers) that there are Potions, 
for which no antidote exists. It's in the chapter "Snape victorious". 
First of all, one has to wonder why JKR decided to give us this 
information, if it doesn't have some meaning for the plot. Also, it 
would be a plot hole, IMO, if Voldemort doesn't use such a Potion, if 
it exists. Surely he would make sure, that whoever destroyed Horcrux 
number 1 won't be able to destroy another one.

The second statement was Dumbledore telling Harry, that the Potion 
wouldn't kill right away, since Voldemort wanted to ask the intruder 
how he was able to get to the Horcrux. The *right away* suggests 
strongly IMO, that Dumbledore considered the possibility, that the 
Potion was deadly. It also explains why Dumbledore returned to 
Hogwarts in a comparatively good shape, after drinking the Potion.  

> Just as Snape's errand at the end
> of GOF is assumed to be to return to spy on Voldemort, but is it 
ever
> clearly stated to be so?
> 
> Sherry

Hickengruendler:

At the very least this was what Dumbledore wanted him to do. Snape 
confirmed this in front of Bella and Narcissa in the chapter 
Spinner's End. He said he went back on Dumbledore's Orders. Now if he 
went back to spy on Voldie or just to pretend to spy on Voldie, while 
he was in fact spying on Dumbledore (or maybe playing both sides) is 
still open and will only be resolved in book 7. But Harry guessed the 
mission on which Snape was sent correctly.