Heroes and Not - What should Snape Have Done?

[ornadv]

No: HPFGUIDX 145348

>Ceridwen wrote: 
>That's why I think it's Dark Magic. It removes choice once the
>choice to enter into the UV is made. It's not as serious in the WW
>as the Imperius Curse, which also removes choice, since at least the
>witch or wizard agreed to go along with the UV in the first place
>while the Imperius removes even that little bit of choice. I would
>also put love spells and love potions under the broad general 
>heading of Dark Magic for the same reason - the victim has no 
>choice.
> Which explains the Tower for me just fine, thanks. The minute Snape
> is informed that Draco cannot/will not kill Dumbledore, then 
*Snape*
> must. The UV kicks in. Hate and revulsion on his face, because he
> has no choice, he cannot stop.

Orna:

I like the description of what makes it dark magic. I think you have 
tapped on something crucial about the nature of dark magic- thanks. 
I feel it deserves more elaboration, but for now – Thanks.

Still I have some doubts about how this non-choice is working. 
(Perhaps I didn't understand you) And about how total control dark 
magic has: 

I don't think there is any curse – except the AK – and even that 
not, after Harry's scar, that has absolutely no counter possibility, 
provided you are strong enough, and/or ready to pay the price.
It doesn't sound like what we know about other spells to have a 
spell which makes you do acts which involve complex human processes, 
like thinking, judging, feeling, and have it done as a robot, 
without any choice or submission to it, except the moment you take 
it. 
The imperius curse is resistible, the crucio – can be stopped by 
another person – as we see when Snape stops Harry's torture in HBP. 
So I find it difficult to imagine that the UV is a vow which works 
outside Snape's choice, like this. I am not saying it isn't binding, 
or having any consequences, if you don't follow it – most certainly 
it is a powerful spell. I take it, that Ron might be wrong about 
being killed if you break it, but his father's reaction means it is 
a very powerful spell, with disastrous consequences, if you chose to 
disobey it. OTOH we see Snape trying in HBP to help Draco – but he 
seems free to choose the time of intervention, the amount of effort 
he puts into it. 

So the point I'm trying to make is that Snape has choice about when 
to act, how to act etc., even if basically he can't break the spell 
(without very grave consequences, IMO) Like Ron wants Romilda 
desperately, but how to go about it – is in his choice, in his 
character (I'm sure Neville under the love-potion's influence 
wouldn't hit Harry – well perhaps with a plant
) That's also where 
he is open to influence.
 
Hadn't the situation in the tower been that there were DEs there, 
and Snape had been informed Draco is unable to do it – he would 
surely be able to check it with Draco, see if he can help him refine 
his skills, or have time to outline a plan for himself. He wouldn't 
be forced to rush to DD and AK him just like that, IMO.

 Snape's acts in the tower are IMO his decision about how to tackle 
this situation, with all the complexity he sees there. And not an 
involuntary robotic act produced out of the UV.
Perhaps in principle a bit like the Felix-potion works– it makes you 
see the thing which feels right under its influence – but you have 
some freedom to choose, and perhaps even to resist it - and pay the 
consequences.

Orna