Did Snape have a choice or not? Levels and contradictions in JKR's writing

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 138580

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > So far I'm in agreement with Elyse.  I do think Snape 
> > knew what Voldemort had asked Draco to do, for a couple 
> > of different reasons.  First, Snape sounds like he's 
> > already tried to talk Voldemort out of using Draco.
> > "If you are imagining I can persuade the Dark Lord to 
> > change his mind, I am afraid there is no hope, none 
> > at all." (HBP scholastic p.33)
 
> >>houyhnhnm:
> To me that passage just sounds like Snape is making sure that      
> whatever game he ends up playing with Narcissa is not going to     
> bind him to using influence with Voldemort. He *knows* better than 
> to go that route.

Betsy Hp:
But then why does he take the Vow?  I've wavered about this scene 
for a while now, but I'm becoming more and more convinced that Snape 
knew exactly why Narcissa and Bellatrix were there.  The amount of 
fishing he does is not much at all.  And when they start talking 
about the "plan" Snape looks *away* from Narcissa.  She's the one 
doing all the gazing.  So I'm also doubting the legilimency or 
occlumency angle  I think the folks not knowing what was going on 
were the readers (maybe Peter).

No, Snape knew what the "plan" was, and moreover, he'd shared what 
he'd learned with Dumbledore.  The two of them were already aware of 
Draco's danger, were working on a way to save him, and possibly 
working out how to take advantage of the situation and bind the 
Malfoy family to their side.  That's my theory and I'm sticking to 
it.  For now. <g>

> >>Jen:
> I think Voldemort is behind the Unbreakable and Narcissa is the
> bait myself. 
> <snip>
> The clauses in that Unbreakable came out of Narcissa's mouth so   
> rapidly and succintly, not much thinking going into those very    
> important words. Almost like they were....rehearsed.

Betsy Hp:
Why would Voldemort need Snape to take an Unbreakable Vow?  If he 
didn't trust him, he'd kill him.  End of problem.  And Snape has 
already said that if (when) Draco fails he's expected to finish the 
job.  So it's not like Voldemort was trying to spring anything on 
him.

I *do* believe that Narcissa arrived planning on requesting the Vow 
and that's why she didn't stumble over the words.  The third part of 
the Vow is only tricky if you doubt Snape's loyalties, and I don't 
think Narcissa doubts Snape.  I think she *hoped* that Snape's 
loyalties to the Malfoys would influence his decision and help 
convince him to take the Vow.

Adding to my earlier thought (see upthread) that Snape probably felt 
he'd already outlined the terms of the Vow, it was *Snape* who 
brought up that he figured Voldemort meant for him (Snape) to do the 
deed in the end.  So maybe Narcissa thought she was just being 
complete about the whole thing.

> >>Jen:
> <snip>
> People always bring up Snape and Lily, and maybe it's true, but
> Narcissa seems more like the kind of woman Snape would fall for.
> <snip>
> Obsessive love, unrequited love, perhaps love once freely given but
> taken away--it's possible one of these scenarios trapped Snape long
> before Narcissa came pleading to his door.

Betsy Hp:
I never felt any unresolved sexual tension (UST) in this scene.  I 
know others have, but I felt like Snape was more... embarrassed by 
Narcissa's tears and desperation than anything.  I certainly got the 
impression that he *liked* Narcissa, thought well of her, etc.  But 
I didn't get the sense that he was attracted to her at all.

Also, we've seen Snape when his emotions have control of him.  I 
wouldn't expect him to be spitting with anger (like in PoA) but if 
he was trying to deal with the focus of his obsession falling to her 
knees in front of him I'd expect a bit more emoting on his part.  
Instead he acts like a school master dealing with a distraught 
student.  "Up off the floor now, and here drink this."  McGonagall 
would have approved.  And that's not really a sign of hot times 
ahead, IMO. <g>

Betsy Hp