[HPforGrownups] Re: Draco, the UV, and the First Time - The Overblown Vow

[Kathryn Jones]

No: HPFGUIDX 141639



>  > Steve (bboyminn) wrote:
>  > <snip> I think this whole Unbreakable Vow 'thing' is way overrated.
>  > I think unless you construct and word the Vow with iron-clad
>  > certainty and precision, it is pretty much worthless.
snip
>  > > Overal, I see the whole Unbreakable Vow process riddled with
>  > > loopholes, and these specific Vows are certainly vague and
>  > > uncertain. <snip>


    KJ writes:
       From the description that Ron gave of his father's emotional 
state when he caught Fred and George beginning to perform the UV with a 
five year old, it would indicate to me that it was extremely dangerous. 
Obviously a five year old would not have enough understanding to realize 
what the Vow meant, what breaking the Vow would mean, or even be able to 
take care not to break it. This would indicate to me that the Vow must 
be rather literal in its operation and would not necessarily depend upon 
the person's knowledge that he or she was breaking it. Snape has already 
had some experience of UV's and it would appear that he felt that he 
could satisfy vows 1 & 2. I don't think that he was expecting it, from 
the blank look on his face as described in this chapter, but he was willing.
      I think he was aware of Draco's task. It is almost obvious from 
the way Narcissa almost said that even Voldemort could not do it. She 
stated twice that Voldemort trusted him so much. Even Snape agreed that 
he thought that Voldemort expected him to do it in the end, but wanted 
to protect his position as long as possible. Narcissa reminded him that 
he would be honoured above all others.
      Dumbledore was injured prior to this conversation and was probably 
already aware that he had not much longer to go. It became absolutely 
necessary to cement Snape's position with Voldemort. This was the reason 
Snape was given the DADA job. Either way, they only had a year to 
accomplish what they needed to accomplish.
      While uncomfortable with the third vow, the loss of Dumbledore was 
something that he was already facing. What he needed to know from Draco 
was how he intended to accomplish his task. If Snape had known all the 
whys and wherefores he might have been able to direct events so that 
Draco never had the opportunity and Snape would have faced no obligation 
under the Vow. Snape became more and more demanding and suspicious of 
Draco during the year and Snape's failure to gain his confidence was 
likely the cause of the argument with DD in the forest. I am confident 
that Snape warned DD and possibly asked him to leave Hogwarts, which of 
course DD would have refused to do. I think that this alone would have 
thwarted the Vow. When Snape arrived on the tower at the precise moment 
of Draco's failure, his hands were tied. In order to obey DD's directive 
to get closer to Voldemort, he had to kill Dumbledore to live. I am 
convinced that as a result of his action, Snape will be showered with 
horcruxes by a grateful Voldemort, which will considerably shorten the 
search if he can send them parcel post to Harry.
KJ