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

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 141399


> Hickengruendler:

> I simply cannot see Dumbledore begging 
> for his life. And I refuse any exception that has him doing this. 
> This is the man who said "Death is nothing but the next great 
> adventure" and told Tom that it was his biggest mistake to think 
> there's nothing more than death. Have him begging for his life in 
the 
> minute, where it really is on stack, simply would negitate this. 
This 
> is why I'm also not satisfied with OFH!Snape and your otherwise 
> really great theory, that Snape simply thought killing Dumbledore 
> would be the least bad solution (a theory, with which I otherwise 
> very well might have agreed). It does not explain Dumbledore's 
> reaction to me. Lupinlore talked about bad writing in other posts. 
> Well, for me, the worst writing would be Dumbledore begging for his 
> life, or even generally pleading in a whimpy voice to any villain 
> (even if the idendity of that villain took him by surprise). You 
have 
> seen how he spoke to Voldemort in OotP and to the other DE's on the 
> tower. The reaction of the Dumbledore I knew, if he realized Snape 
> had betrayed him, would be: "Well, Severus, I must admit I was 
> mistaken in you. It's really a pity that you threw away your chance 
> like that". (Not to mention that he already starts pleading, before 
> Snape even raises his wand).

zgirnius:
We do never learn what Dumbledore was pleading for. However, you seem 
to agree with the analysis presented for why Snape's action was the 
least bad solution. So, is it a stretch to suppose that Dumbledore 
might have made the same analysis? Before Snape shows up, he realizes 
he's a goner, he's terribly worried about what will happen to Harry 
(and also Draco) after he is killed, and then Snape shows up. Even if 
a conflicted/ambiguous/OFH Snape has not told Dumbledore of the UV, 
it is possible that DD (unlike some members of this list) does not 
believe Snape capable of defeating four Death Eaters while protecting 
a helpless DD. He sees in Snape's arrival a ray of hope for Harry and 
Draco, if only Snape can see and make the right move as well...