[HPforGrownups] Re: Is Harry an idiot because he thinks Snape is guilty? Was: Why wizards are so i

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 140576

Deb:

Whether Snape is good, bad, or indifferent is not the issue at the 
moment. Whatever curse, hex, jinx or spell he threw at DD up there 
on the tower(with no canon as to what level of verbal intensity he 
was using -Moody and Wormtail were very loud and forceful when they 
said "AK" - in HBP it could be read like Snape said it casually), it 
did NOT act like an AK. While it had the external appearance of one 
(the green light- but in HBP described as a "jet" and not as 
a "blinding flash"), it caused DD to be "blasted into the air". 
Where as in the other incidences we the readers know of.. and the 
ones that Harry has direct knowledge of .... the effect of the AK 
was to cause "instantaneous" death. And the victim, be it spider or 
Hogwart's student or anyone else, drops in his, her, it's tracks! 
They do NOT go blasting into the air.     
  

Sherry responds:

I'm not convinced.  Whatever happened at Godric's Hollow, it blew up the
house!  So what's so strange about Snape's curse blasting Dumbledore into
the air?  And in the long run, whatever curse was used, be it AK or
something else, the end result is still the same.  Dumbledore is dead at
Snape's hand.  Harry witnessed it happen.



> 
Deb:
Perhaps what Harry is supposed to do is to THINK! And not just 
react. He is now almost 17 years old and in the eyes of the WW he is 
an adult. He has had 6 years worth of excellent education at HW, he 
has experienced many instances where appearances are deceptive, and 
he is capable of logical and complex reasoning. He also knows that 
reacting and overreacting from pure emotions can lead to dire 
consequences. He has been told over and over by Snape, by DD, by 
others as well to curb his emotions.  If Snape did not use an AK on 
Dumbledore, what did he use? And if not the AK, then what effect was 
he going for? And why? 

Sherry now:

Here's what Harry had to deal with that night.  Would any of us be thinking
or acting rationally under these circumstances?  He has just learned, that
very night, that Snape is the one who told Voldemort about the prophecy, and
therefore is indirectly responsible for the death of Harry's parents; Harry
has undertaken a dangerous and terrifying mission with Dumbledore; he has
nearly been killed by infiri; he has returned with a sick and injured
Dumbledore to Hogwarts only to find the castle under attack; he has been
frozen on the tower powerless to help as Draco comes up planning to kill
Dumbledore; he has watched Draco not go through with it but witnessed death
eaters mocking and threatening Dumbledore, including the vicious Grayback.
and then, oh then, when Snape appears, he must surely expect that Snape is
going to help.  As much as Harry has always hated Snape, part of him has
tried to believe in Dumbledore's trust I think.  And what happens?  Snape
pulls out his wand, utters the killing curse, and presto, Dumbledore is
dead!  How can anyone seriously expect Harry not to believe what he
believes?  I think the finest police officer, FBI agent or any other top
notch law enforcement officer in the same circumstances would believe what
they saw.  Snape said a curse, and Dumbledore is dead.  It's pretty simple
really.  

If Snape is to be redeemed in the last book, which I actually fervently hope
not now, then I hope the circumstances will be that Snape did indeed cold
bloodedly murder Dumbledore, for his own reasons, but comes to true remorse
and commits some act that proves it, not only to the sentimental reader who
wants to believe it, but to Harry, who does not and will not want to believe
it.  That would be a satisfying redemption.  It would not be satisfying to
me, if again, Harry is wrong, all wrong, poor, misguided, hapless stupid
boy.  No, Sevvy wouldn't hurt a fly and never killed Dumbledore and someone
like Hermione is going to lay it al out for Harry, and Harry is going to
feel terrible.  Been there, done that.  I like my idea of a true murder, but
then a true remorse and redemption much better.  Of course, as always, only
JKR knows for sure.



Sherry