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

[Morianna X. Smythe]

No: HPFGUIDX 141421

<Snip snip snip snippy snip>

ESMITH WRITES:
>> 7. DD and Harry go to the cave

My interpreation [sic] - Since the last Horcrux curse damaged DD 
profoundly, I think that he would have informed Snape that he was 
going after another. He would have told Snape that his help might 
be required on DD's return. They might even have discussed how 
another curse might affect an already sickened DD i.e. 'This could 
be the night, Severus!' <<


Prof Mori: 
As I was re-reading the scene where Harry "helps" DD drink the 
potion in the basin, I noted Rowling's use of the terms "hatred 
and revulsion" on Harry's face as he completes DD's command to 
"obey" and continues to provide the potion to DD.


ESMITH:
>> 8. The White Tower. DD is killed by Severus Snape.

My interpretation - DD gets progressively sicker during his 
presence at the white tower (paler looking/slips further down the 
wall). At this point, I don't think he can be saved. Flitwick 
meanwhile comes to Snape's office and informs him of the DEs' 
arrival. Snape DOESN'T kill Flitwick, only stuns him. He realises 
that the plan to use Draco to kill DD is now in operation. He 
rushes to find DD. He enters the 'White Tower' scene knowing it 
has been prearranged that he kill DD, but when confronted with 
this, he pauses. DD pleads with Severus to carry out the plan, 
which Snape finally manages. <<


Prof Mori:
Strangely, we have Rowling using the *same* language when Snape 
AK's DD, "hatred and revulsion."  Is this additional evidence?  
Does it allow the reader to infer that Snape is "obeying" DD as 
Harry did in the previous chapter?  Because of the language 
similarity between the scenes, perhaps the reader should assume 
similarities in the characters' motives.  If DD had died from 
ingesting the potion alone, would we all be ready to condemn Harry
for his obedience?  If DD *couldn't* be saved AND if Snape was NOT 
acting under DD's command, then Harry is DD's murderer, and Snape's 
AK could be seen as simply a coup de grace (which is an honorable 
treatment of the terminally wounded in and after battle-or it used 
to be). I really doubt Rowling wants us to read Harry's obedience 
to DD as complicity in DD's murder.

<snippity doo dah dey>

Prof Mori