Misunderstood Snape

[Cindy]

No: HPFGUIDX 134920

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Nathaniel" 
<natti_shafer at y...> wrote:
> Cindy wrote:
> I think I've read elsewhere on the list that Snape either had to 
keep 
> the vow or die--I'd like someone to point me to where that's found 
> because I can't find it in HBP. 
> 
>  
> 
> Nathaniel here:
> 
> It says it at the beginning of chapter 16 "A Very Frosty Christmas"
> 
> UK ed. p 305:
> 
> "'An Unbreakable Vow?' said Ron, looking stunned. 'Nah, he can't 
> have . . . are you sure?'
> 
> 'Yes, I'm sure,' said Harry. 'Why, what does it mean?'
> 
> 'Well, you can't break an Unbreakable Vow . . .'
> 
> 'I'd worked that much out for myself, funnily enough.  What 
happens 
> if you break it, then?'
> 
> 'You die,' said Ron simply. 'Fred and George tried to get me to 
make 
> one when I was about five.  I nearly did, too.  I was holding 
hands 
> with Fred and everything when Dad found us.  He went mental.'"
> 
> This passage does make me wonder how Fred and George were going to 
> make Ron take take this vow.  They wouldn't have been in school 
yet 
> so where would they have gotten the wand or the know how? I 
suppose 
> it could be anywhere . . .
> 
> Nathaniel.


Thanks! (I think).  

Part of me wants to believe Mr. Weasley gave the boys an over the 
top "boogie man" warning to keep the kids from messing around with 
Unbreakable Vows.  However, I don't think JKR would be that 
misleading.  Sigh. I think it will be lame if Snape really is 
working for Voldemort and then gets "redemption" before he bites it 
in book 7. Otherwise what's the point of Dumbledore trusting him 
unless he eventually repents? Kind of an odd turn if that's all 
there is to it or Oho! Dumbledore is so smart but not smart enough 
to see through Snape--or don't try and see the good in all people, 
kids!  I'd rather read about a socially backward nasty but brilliant 
wizard who has his own demented reasons for being against Voldemort 
that are mysteriously revealed before he bites it in book 7.  Oh 
well.   

Has anyone come up with any ideas why everybody seems to be hitting 
the bottle in this book?