Dumbledore and Snape

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 133150

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--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "houyhnhnm102" <celizwh at i...> wrote:


> It was not that I didn't know DD was going to die.  Aside from the 
> leaks, I knew that the old wise mentor always has to die so that the 
> young hero can go on alone to fulfill his destiny.

Yes, his death had to happen between end of book 6 and beginning of
book 7...

> It was the manner of his death--by treachery--a weak, old man 
> pleading for his life with the murderous snake he had nursed at his 
> bosom for 16 years that I couldn't stand.  It seemed to me to render 
> the character of Dumbledore completely false.

I have never been a fan of Snape, and in fact have always been certain
that he will turn over to the dark side after DD (to whom he seemed
clearly devoted) inevitably dies. But oddly this book (which I have
not yet finished, though I scanned the entire book so I know the plot)
convinced me that Snape was not a traitor but a real DD ally who was
put in an impossible situation at the end and chose the least evil
course of action.

Without referring to specific quotes, note that in the second chapter
two interesting things happen:

1. In typical Snape doublespeak, we learn that Snape likely was
successful in using occlumency to prevent LV from reading his real
thoughts (he sardonically asks the sisters if they really believe he
could outsmart LV, the greatest leglimens around).

2. Snape makes an irrevocable oath to help Draco and to do his deed
for him if he fails. Later we learn from Ron (during the Christmas
chapter at the Weasleys) that an irrevocable oath is impossible to
break and if it is broken, the oath breaker dies.

Throughout the book Snape repeatedly tries to weasel out of Malfoy
what that deed that he swore to accomplish for him is. He never finds
out.  So he has no clue what is coming when he is suddenly faced with
a choice - to do Draco's deed for him or to die.

In the climax scene, DD is cornered with 4-5 Death Eaters and no wand.
For some reason, it is Draco and no one else that is supposed to kill
him (which implies that the killer identity makes a difference in some
future twist), but Draco is unable to. At this point Snape simply has
no choice. If he does not kill DD, he will die anyway (due to breaking
the oath) and DD is doomed in any case. Either Draco or one of the
others will kill him (or worse, immobilize him and take him to LV).

Remember, Snape is DD's spy within the Death Eaters - the only one who
can get inside information. There is no advantage if he nobley kills
himself (either through breaking his oath or by trying to take on 4-5
DE's all alone - as DD has no wand and so can't help).

Like it or not, he had to do it. Of course, he damned himself by his
action, so I expect some finale type death of him in the end, but I
now believe that he'll stay on the good side (as much as he can do
that) till the end.

Moreover, we see that Wormtail - who owes his life to Harry - and
Snape - who owes his life to Harry's father - are now together. This
will play an important role in the final showdown.

Just MO.
Salit