Snape in Half Blood Prince

[Mari]

No: HPFGUIDX 133007

Second post for the day because I wanted to add a few things in 
response to the argument that Dumbledore wouldn't ask anyone to 
commit murder.

I want to suggest that this was not a definite part of the plan, i.e 
Dumbledore was hoping that neither Snape nor Draco would have to kill 
him.

Dumbledore and Snape have discussed the plan to find the horcruxes, 
and the plan Voldemort has to kill Dumbledore. Dumbledore decides
that IF HE CAN, with Harry's help, he will
find all of the Horcruxes before Voldemort wants him
killed. That is the best possible scenario. That's why
Dumbledore is racing against time so to speak; he
knows there is a limited amount of time to find the
horcruxes before Voldemort's patience with Draco and
Snape runs out. 

 However, the fact remains that they have to allow for the 
possibility that IF Draco attempts a direct attack BEFORE the 
horcruxes are found and fails at the task, then Snape MUST kill 
Dumbledore.  Also, they may have agreed that it is better that Draco 
not have to do it. A case of there  being no right choice, only the 
least wrong.

When Dumbledore gets back to the town pub, and asks
Harry to get Snape, perhaps at that point he is hoping that
Snape will be able to save him, give him an antidote (however small 
the chance is).

 After all, Snape knows more than anyone about potions
and he saved Dumbledore the first time when he
destroyed the horcrux and got his withered hand. Also,
the trip has been secret; no one but Snape knows what
Harry and Dumbledore are doing. 

BUT when Dumbledore hears about the dark mark over the
school, he realises this is Draco's trap.
There is *no more time* for him to find any more horcruxes, and no 
chance to get to Snape secretly. This is where the backup plan has to 
come into action; Draco is unable to kill Dumbledore when it comes to
the point, Snape comes in, and there is no time for
him to hesitate, for the reasons I outlined in my first post. 
Dumbledore pleads with him to go through with what he must now do. 
Snape does so. 

This is rambly because it is very late, hope it makes sense!


Mari.