A Cold Equation (was Re: The Trial Of Severus Snape)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 141367


> zgirnius:
> Noone is denying that is a possibility. What they are suggesting 
is 
> that Fenrir and the other three Death Eaters would not have waited 
> around for someone to bring an antidote. Dumbledore was 
*defenseless* 
> for the moment because of the potion, so the four DEs could have 
> finished him.
".

Alla:

Well, yes, but not simply because Snape was there, but because  he 
came there and he could have given DD the antidote fast, thus making 
DD stronger, then indeed fight with DE or something.
But while I of course read the other posts in the thread, I was 
specifically addressing Houyhnmmm's point, who  ( the way I 
interpreted it and I am sorry if I interepreted it incorrectly that 
she was not suggesting that DD was dying either from ring curse or 
cave potion, but the situation on the Tower was fatal nevertheless 
because Dumbledore was helpless ( weakened from the Potion,etc.)

And I am saying that if DD was helpless from potion but could 
recover from it, it increases Snape liability very significantly to 
me, because it would mean that " but for Snape actions" Dumbledore 
could have survived  the Tower.


Zgirnius:
<SNIP>
> 
> Now, I'm going to guess your next objection..."But Snape was 
there, 
> he could protect Dumbledore
 But I think it is a 
> reasonable supposition that the moment he raises his wand in DD's 
> defense, he dies. That is an unambiguous indication he is not 
going 
> to keep his Vow.

Alla:

Well, yes, of course it is a reasonable supposition, but again since 
we don't know the details of how UV magic works, except of course 
than you die if you break it, I think it also a reasonable 
assumption to make that if Snape does not flat out refuse to finish 
Draco's task, he may still live.

The way I see it, Snape DID have options on the Tower. He could have 
use his Patronus for example and send emergency message to other 
Order members who were close enough. In the meanwhile, Snape may 
have stall for time or again start fighting , maybe somehow trying 
to fool the Vow, even if temporarily. Of course, in this scenario 
Snape eventually dies, since sooner or later the magic which 
underlines UV WILL recognise that Snape is not going to finish 
Draco's task, but I don't think that we know for sure that Snape did 
not have stalling options.


Zgirnius:
> I would agree that Snape has some responsibility for the 
situation, 
> especially if he knew what Draco's task was when he took the Vow. 

Alla:

I know you do. :-) It is very enjoyable debating with you, because 
even though we do have some major differences when we evaluate 
Snape , we also have some major overlapping points in our views, so 
I can easily figure out where  and why we start to differ.


Zgirnius:
(I 
> would also submit the possibility that *Snape* agrees with you. He 
> certainly does not seem to me to be particularly pleased with the 
way 
> events turn out in the end of the book...)

Alla:

LOL! I sure hope so that this was beginning of major "inner turmoil" 
for Snape.


Zgirnius:
 But while he is at least 
> partially responsible, it is not clear to me that a different 
course 
> of action at that point would have produced any better results.
>

Alla:

I can definitely see  both possibilities.

JMO,

Alla.