Dumbledore or Snape

[unlikelyauthor]

No: HPFGUIDX 141515



Max said:
> The Dumbledore I know, love and respect would *gladly* give his life
> to protect the lives of others 
<SNIP>

unlikelyauthor (unlikely2):

JKR on being asked if she was a Christian replied to the effect that 
after book 7 no-one would be in any doubt.

One of the central tenets of Christianity is that the good shepherd 
lays down his life for his flock. 

It is perhaps fortunate for Dumbledore that the life to be sacrificed 
is his own. This is far less terrible that the situation, for example 
of the submarine commander who must order watertight doors shut 
trapping crew members in order to give the rest a chance, or the 
officer who orders shelling knowing that his own men are still out 
there or the naval officer ordering the dropping of depth charges to 
destroy a submarine with survivors from a torpedo attack still in the 
water. This is not a good way to die. 

I suggest that what Dumbledore wants most is to protect his students. 
By whatever means Snape and Dumbledore have arrived at the tower, the 
only way for Snape to get the Death Eaters, and most particularly 
Greyback, out of the school is by killing Dumbledore.

There is a war on. Both Snape and Dumbledore know that and Snape 
would know what he has to do even without legilimancy (although 
legilimency might confirm Dumbledore's decision).

Could I also mention Ericcopens post 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/141487

"My own take on Dumbledore's death(?) up on the tower is that if I were
cornered by Death Eaters, a nice, quick, painless-so-far-as-we-know
Avada Kedavra would be much more to my taste as a way to shuffle off
this mortal coil and join the Eavenly Choir Invisibule than being
dragged off alive to play "Twenty Questions" with Lord Voldemort, with
Bellatrix Lestrange encouraging my participation with her favorite
Unforgivable Curse."

Unlikely2:
I believe that Snape has taken the least worst decision and he 
doesn't like it.

unlikely2