Snape -- yet another clue

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 144755

UNIX4EVR wrote:
> When Dumbledore is sending Sirius and Snape off to their tasks he 
> sends Snape off and a "look a aprehension crossed his face."
> 
> Dumbledore was apprehensive about Snape?  Why????  Did he question 
> his loyalty -- or was he worried FOR Snape?


SSSusan:
I have always taken this as worry ABOUT Snape, as apprehension about 
how dangerous the task is he's sending him off on, not as a 
hesitation related to mistrust of Snape.  (Though I'll grant that 
isn't out of the question.)

Look at the words which come here:

"Severus, you know what I must ask you to do.  If you are ready... 
if you are prepared..."

"I am," said Snape.

He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes 
glittered strangely.

"Then good luck," said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of 
apprehension on his face, as Snape swept wordlessly after Sirius.

It was several minutes before Dumbledore spoke again.
(US hardback, p. 713)

SSSusan:
This comes on the heels of forcing Severus and Sirius to shake 
hands, with the accompanying DD remark, "You are on the same side 
now."  This seems to show that DD believes Snape to be trustworthy.  
And the use of the word *must* in "what I must ask you to do" 
implies, to me, that DD knows this task is risky and dangerous.  

The apprehension, then, coupled with the "several minutes" before DD 
spoke again, has always implied, to me, that he was worried ABOUT 
Snape, struggling with what he felt he had HAD to ask him to do.

YMMV

Siriusly Snapey Susan