Snape in the Shrieking Shack (Was: Are appearances important to Snape?)

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 142323

>Betsy Hp:
>Ahh, but we're talking about the WW here. You know, the place that
>sent Sirius to Azkaban without fussing much about a trial? I
>somehow think that if Snape showed up with Sirius's corpse in his
>clutches Fudge would give out medals first and ask questions...
>well, never. <g>

a_svirn:

You know, I don't really think that the WW is so very dissimilar to 
the NON-WW in this respect. Different political situation call for 
different measures and politicians also differ in their approaches. 
It was Crouch Senior who sent Sirius to Azkaban without trial. He 
was also the one (in)famous for authorizing the unlimited use of the 
Unforgivables. Fudge was very careful not to resemble him in any 
way. Much as he was shocked by Sirius's break-out he never issued a 
shoot-to-kill order for his Aurors. He unleashed dementors instead, 
no doubt thinking it would make the whole thing look more 
Forgivable.  

So no, I don't think there would have been no reprisals for Snape. 
He wasn't even supposed to know how to cast an Unforgivable, and if 
he did it would sure make the Prophet headlines. And only think what 
would Rita Skeeter have made of this story! Especially since she had 
been present at the trials. Of course, if Snape had no other choice 
he would kill Sirius, BUT HE HAD! Why take an unnecessary risk then? 

>Betsy Hp:
>But they think (or Sirius implied that any Death Eater would think)
>that the double-crosser did another double-cross and lead Voldemort
>to his doom. So to Bellatrix and those who think like her,
>Pettigrew *is* a double-double-crosser.

a_svirn:

Well, to fathom the mind of Bellatrix and Co is even harder than 
that of a werewolf, of course, especially with an added impact of 
Azkaban, but on the other hand – why should she think so? 
Pettigrew's part was to betray the secret and so he did. The rest 
was up to Voldemort. Now if she meant something else, something to 
do with the Longbottom's debacle
 

>Betsy Hp:
<snip>
>Of course, there is Dumbledore. I doubt Snape could have pulled the
>wool over his eyes as easily as Fudge's. (Though isn't that the
>basic principle of the ESE!Snape argument? That Snape is an expert
>when it comes to fooling Dumbledore?)

a_svirn:

Well, I don't think that he is ESE! if you mean by that that he's 
Lord Voldemort faithful follower. But even if he were it would still 
behoove him to tread warily around Dumbledore, and *not* to fire 
Unforgivables right, left and centre.


> colebiancardi:

>see, I think the MoM HAS ways to control the dementors - I mean 
>really
>control them. Re: Umbridge, Fudge in your scene above. The 
>dementors
>"work" for the MoM, not Hogwarts. So, I still think Snape would be
>taking on a huge risk with all the dementors out there in the
>forest(there are more than one or two - there is quite a few of 
>them).
>Since Snape is not an employee of MoM, I doubt he can control them 
<snip>

a_svirn:

Now, that would be the most unfeasible arrangement imaginable. I 
doubt even Lord Voldemort would have wanted such unreliable allies. 
Besides, it's not true. They are vicious and indiscriminative when 
it comes to feeding on other's emotions but up until they switched 
their allegiances to Voldemort there was no danger of unauthorized 
kisses. Yes, they attacked Harry and Hermione but only because they 
were fighting on the side of their lawful prey. Neither on the train 
not at the match did they try to kiss anyone. The former was a 
routine check-up and on the match they simply wanted to have some 
fun, as Lupin explained. Unfortunately, it so happened that Harry 
was more susceptible to their influence than most, just like Ron is 
more susceptible to the wiles of the veela. The dementors, however, 
no more tried to kiss him or anyone than Fleur tried to seduce Ron. 

Dementors were stationed at the entrances of the school and in 
Hogsmead without a single Auror in sight and no one though to 
conceal Hogsmead weekends. Nor did Hogsmead's residents fear for 
their safety. (Well they did but on account of Black, not 
dementors). As for Umbridge, she didn't accompany them to Little 
Whining, did she? And yet, they did not roam all over Surrey hunting 
souls. They came specifically to Little Whining, specifically to 
Privet Drive and they didn't pay a visit to mark evances or mrs. 
figgs of the neighborhood on their way there. No they only sought to 
kiss Harry Potter and his cousin. I'd say they were very particular 
in their attentions!

Dumbledore's objection was first and foremost ethical. He wasn't 
afraid of dementors, he as – Arthur put it – wasn't FOND of them and 
didn't want them anywhere near his students. Whereas the rest of the 
wizarding population – Arthur included – were quite prepared to put 
up with the Lesser Evil for the Greater Good. 

a_svirn