Snape Bad? Dumbledore would have died anyway.

[deatheaterjames]

No: HPFGUIDX 133293

Where Snape is good or evil Dumbledore was about to be killed. 
Wandless and weakened he was surrounded by Death Eaters.

Let's first assume Snape is bad as all the signs point to this. 
I really think the line where he looks at DD in disgust is the 
strongest piece of evidence after the AK. Also DD pleads with 
Snape in a voice that frightens Harry. Now if Snape is evil and joined with his Death Eaters in front of his enemy DD for the 
last time it is likely he was not using Occlumency and DD read Snape's true feeling and this caused DD to plead with Snape. Obviously the readiness to into the unbreakable vow is more 
evidence, despite certain hand twitching at moments. Also Hagrid mentioning there being friction between DD and Snape is also v.
shaky evidence to the Bad Snape Theory.

Not totally convinced, probably because of these ideas.

Now there are many reasons why Snape may still be good: firstly, 
it's another twist in the story for JKR to wow her readers in a Sirius Blackesque fashion. And I am certain that we will have a definte answer in the 7th book on what side Snape is on, probably 
I think regarding the circumstances of his death.

Secondly, if Snape did not AK DD another Death Eater would have. 
He was surrounded defenceless and about to be killed. I think the manner in which Snape killed DD is merciful. If Snape had not 
killed DD quick the Death Eaters could have used cruciatus or any other demeaning spell that Snape would not let DD endure. Also 
there is the matter of the unbreakable vow, perhaps if Snape did 
not kill DD he would then die and then DD would be killed making Snape's death pointless. Perhaps Snape has been foolish in making 
the vow but I'm sure he did not think Dumbledore would ever be so vulnerable, after all the spell that really ended DD was "expelliarmus".

Also some shrewd calculations would show that saving DD's life 
and then losing a deep under cover mole was not worth it, 
certainly if both would happen. The leader of the Order of the Phoenix would be dead and their top man in the enemy camp exposed 
and also dead most likely. This way if Snape is good he will be 
the closest to LV and will most likely be privy to much 
information (Horcruxes?)

Also the "DON'T... CALL ME A COWARD" line could be seen as Snape 
angry at being called spineless after having to kill someone who 
to him, and everyone else (character or reader), is a real father 
figure, all in the name of good. I also believe that Snape and 
Dumbledore's argument that Hagrid talks about may be a red herring 
and be more along the lines of DD telling Snape that he will have 
to kill DD when the time comes - Snape not wanting any part in 
this etc - as Malfoy will obviously fail.

Well those are my arguments, but I think the best way to decide on 
the two is what makes the best story. I think going into Book 7 we 
now have two nemeses really, and that's too many. I think Snape 
will turn back over, remorseful of it all, just when LV trusts him 
implicitly.

James