Heroes and Not - What should Snape Have Done?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 145212

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Miles" <miles at m...> wrote:
>
> > Sherry
> > ...  I think he (Snape) should have died rather than fulfill
> > the UV, if he was loyal to Dumbledore.
> 
> Miles:
> Just hold this point. What would have happened after this?
> Dumbledore was weak and wandless. Snape had no chance fighting
> four DEs alone, so Dumbledore would have been killed anyway. 
> After Dumbledore's death Harry would have been able to move
> again. Would he? Possibly, and then?
> 
> What you demand of Snape is absolutely senseless self sacrifice.
> If he acted that way, the 6th book most probably would be the
> last one.
> 
> Miles
>

bboyminn:

I'm with you Miles, and I now ask (again), point blank, what should
Snape have done under those circumstances? It's nice and heartwarming
to say Snape should have died, but that is an extremely narrow view of
the event. Snape dies and THEN.... What? What happens next, what is
the full impact of any conceivable alternate action on Snape's part?

I asked this before, just recently, and the question was ignore.
People have no trouble saying that Snape's chosen course of action was
wrong or perhaps, incorrect, but no one offers a full-view alternate
course of action. 

Of course, I admit, that to some extent, my asking that question is
founded in a DDM!Snape view. To take an ESE!Snape view is easy; Snape
killed Dumbledore, enough said. But for the moment if we do take at
least a somewhat DDM!Snape view, what were Snape's alternate courses
of action under these circumstances.

Copied from my previous post -

So, to the group in general, under these very specific circumstances,
what should Snape have done?

They are on the top of a tower with limited space and only one exit.
An exit which leads down to a heated battle in progress.

Dumbledore is down, weak, and defenseless.

Harry is hidden and petrified.

Draco has failed at his task.

Snape arrives on the scene.

Now what should Snape do? How should he act to maximize the situation
for the greatest good and the greatest long term outcome?

Or if you don't believe Snape should have acted for long term outcome
or greatest good, that doesn't change the basic question.

What should Snape have done?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

So...? What say you all?

Steve/bboyminn

for review:

DDM!(name) = Dumbledore's Man
ESS!(name) = Ever So Evil
OFH!(name) = Out For Himself