Timing & the Dada position

[jen_kat_du]

No: HPFGUIDX 138859

Denya (Also September 19) wrote:

> All three chapters take place 2 weeks after the end of term.  
> (It's 
> just possible that 1 & 2 take place up to a week *after* 3, but 
> certainly not before).
> 
> At that time, Dumbledore has already injured his hand, recovered 
the ring horcrux, and made the decision to put Snape in the Dada 
> position (as he's inviting Slughorn back), thus guaranteeing that 
> Snape will leave Hogwarts at some point in the coming year.

> That timing seems to limit the options considerably vis-à-vis 
> Snape being fooled into, or tricked into, or beguiled-by-blue-eyes 
> into the UV.  Dumbledore had *already* decided that this was to be 
> Snape's last year.  I can't imagine Dumbledore giving the position 
> to Snape without telling him the consequence – that would be too 
> painfully dishonest – so Dumbledore and Snape have some kind of 
> plan together 
> At The Time The UV was made – a plan that would result in Snape 
> leaving Hogwarts.


I completely agree with you.  I think DD gave Snape the position 
because he knew he was going to die soon and he always needed Snape 
with him before.  Another interesting thing is that since Snape was 
no longer the potions teacher, Harry could continue with his Auror 
dreams by taking NEWT Potions.  Nice and neat huh?

One of the big things that has clenched my decision that Snape is 
not evil from all of my rereading is that Snape told DD about the 
kids going to the Department of Mysteries to "rescue Sirius" when DD 
was no longer at Hogwarts.  He didn't have to do that, and by doing 
so prevented Lord Thingy from hearing the prophecy because the Order 
showed up.  Snape could have pretended to not have figured out 
Harry's cryptic message about them having Padfoot.  In Spinner's 
End, Snape's answers to Bellatrix's accusations sounded more like 
excuses and "The Dark Lord doesn't regret it, neither should you" 
sounds more like convienience than true loyalty.

As an aside, since Snape has saved Harry's life more than once, 
doesn't Harry have a life debt to Snape?  Maybe life debt (see 
conversations about Pettigrew's life debt to Harry) isn't that 
important in the series.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Jen