In defense of Snape (from a Snape hater)

[curlyhornedsnorkack]

No: HPFGUIDX 133984

I think I have a few reasons not mentioned already for believing that
Snape killed Dumbledore on Dumbledore's request.

In message 133293, deatheaterjames says that in the tower scene,
Dumbledore was as good as dead because he was wandless and surrounded
by deatheaters, as well as being weak from poison, and so Snape
killing Dumbledore was actually good for the OOTP because Snape kept
his cover. I believe Dumbledore was as good as dead as well, but much
earlier, after he cracked open the ring and injured his arm. The wound
was not healing, and Dumbledore was dying from it. Snape and
Dumbledore were involved in a coverup. Only Snape was allowed to treat
the wound- Madame Pompfrey was not allowed to assess it.  Snape may
have been told to carry out his mission of spying on the Dark Lord,
even if he had to carry out the last part of his unbreakable vow,
because Dumbledore knew  he was weak and didn't have long to live and
Snape's role was so important. Snape could have been challenged just
as Harry was, to do anything, even kill Dumbledore, to succeed in his
mission. Also, Dumbledore's attitude towards the poison in the basin
is a clue to knowledge of his imminent death. To me, Dumbledore sounds
too calm and collected when he mentions that the poison could kill him
sooner or later (Sorry I can't quote the book but my partner won't let
go of it!) 

Also, isn't it interesting that Dumbledore never actually taught Harry
any really cool spells?  Perhaps he was too weak.

Finally, if killing Dumbledore made Snape happy, then torturing Harry
would have made him even happier. Even if Voldemort really said that
Harry shouldn't be harmed, a crucio or two from Snape or another
deatheater wouldn't have left permanent damage. I just can't believe
that an evil Snape who hated Harry would not have tortured him just a
bit, at least. Instead of having deatheater fun, Snape defends himself
several times from the charge of being a coward.

PS: I despise Snape, still.