'Foy or Fang: Which was who Snape must protect? (Was Re: Snape-the Hero...)

[saturniia]

No: HPFGUIDX 143365

Hekatesheadband wrote:
>
> Harry was not in a position to help Fang. Snape was, but he didn't.
> It's not the crux of anyone's character or any plot element.
> It's just the last nail in Snape's coffin for me.


Saturniia:
Was he really in that position, though?  Was it really not the crux 
of a plot element?  Or was the Unbreakable Vow Snape made with 
Narcissa Black Malfoy still in action?  After all, the wording is as 
follows:

"Will you, Severus, watch over my son, Draco, as he attempts to
fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes?"

"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm?"

"And should it prove necessary
if it seems Draco will fail
will you
carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"


"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm?" 
is the part of the Vow that comes into play here.  Snape has watched 
over Draco, has completed Draco's task, but Draco is still in danger 
while they are on school grounds.  There are Ministry Aurors around, 
and even if Draco wouldn't get in trouble for the murder of 
Dumbledore, he'd still be held as a material witness and enemy 
informant, or maybe just tossed in jail because of his name.

In any case, the Vow was unfulfilled, therefore Snape was in no 
position to place Fang's life above Malfoy's and, by extension, his 
own.  It doesn't mean he'd have rescued Fang if he had the 
opportunity; in fact, I think he'd let the dog burn partly to keep 
his position as a Death Eater and partly to hurt Hagrid, for whom 
Snape holds no love.  However, at the time of the burning and Snape 
and Malfoy's flight from the school, *saving* Fang could've been the 
final nail in Snape's coffin.

~Saturniia

who thinks Snape may be a creep, but at least he's finally a 
consistent creep