But Snape *Had* to Kill Dumby--Unbreakable Vow?

[regalusblack]

No: HPFGUIDX 133010

Weeee! Very excited to see the posts so far--what a great book to 
discuss . . . 

I was re-reading the chapter "Spinner's End" yesterday to see again 
what exactly Cissy was asking Snape to do for the Unbreakable Vow. 
She *does* ask (and I don't have the exact quote, sorry) that should 
Draco fail in his mission, would Snape complete it for him? Snape 
says yes. So Snape killing Dumbledore can't be used as proof of a 
betrayal--that vow would force Snape to take that action. 

I tried to look back at the chapter where Snape does Dumby in, to 
see what kind of evidence there would be of Snape struggling with 
this in any fashion, but through Harry's eyes Snape looks so full of 
rage--but rage at Dumbledore, or at being in this situation? Did he, 
even though he tells Cissy, really know what Voldy's mission for 
Draco was, or was he just feigning that since Bella was there? 

As Snape runs for the entrance to the grounds, he reflects Harry's 
attempts at hexes and curses, and there's one moment when he 
yells, "No, Potter!" And again, I wondered about that too--whether 
it was Snape voicing his frustration about his predicament.

If he is still on the "good" side, I would imagine his situation 
would be extremely difficult to overcome--who would believe him now? 

I just don't think this particular part of the story is over yet--I 
tend to agree with another poster who had a tough time believing 
Dumbledore could be wrong about Snape (even though he's been shown 
with a proclivity for trusting folks in such a fashion). 

regalusblack