Snape's future (Was: Snape's other books)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 140679

SSSusan wrote <snipped>: 
> Partly it's that I think he has watched Draco all 6 years he's been
at Hogwarts.  But I think, truthfully, it's also partly that, for all
his horribleness, I think Snape typically DOES try to protect his 
students.  
<snip> Somehow I just can't picture him leaving Draco until he was
sure he was at least safe for the moment. <snip>

> 
Potioncat responded:
> Snape has been watching out for Draco for 6 years. No doubt about
> that. He's also been watching out for all his students, (IMHO) all
along. 
><snip>
> To review: Snape sent Draco ahead of him; Snape was chased off 
> grounds by Witherwings; Harry believed Snape had Apparated because
Witherwings was hovering around the area. 
> 
> We don't know whether anyone had waited for Snape, nor where they 
> would go. <snip> If they did report to LV I think Snape would spin a
new web to the best advantage. Keep in mind DDM!Snape is now
protecting Draco and the Order. That can't be easy! Also, Draco is no
longer a child; he's a  young man.
> 
> DD was offering sanctuary to Draco and his family. Did Snape know 
that? Could it still be done? If Book 7 starts off with the news that
Draco and Narcissa have been killed, don't believe it.

Carol adds:
First, I found it hard to snip Potioncat's post because although I
agree with it, I want to respond directly to her points (except the
one about protecting all his students, which would take me off track).

Snape has, of course, been protecting Draco all year, and I think he
would have done so with or without the Unbearable, I mean Unbreakable,
Vow. His concern for Draco is revealed in "Spinner's End," in the
interview that Harry overhears, in the Sectumsempra scene (in which he
gets Draco out of the way by appealing to his vanity, sending him to
Madam Pomfrey for dittany to prevent scarring), and in the tower scene
and its aftermath. He saves Draco's life twice, first the Sectumsempra
countercurse, chanted lovingly three times, and again on the tower in
fulfilling the third provision of his vow. He grabs Draco by the
scruff of the neck and runs with him from the school grounds, saving
him from the DEs and McGonagall, and anyone else who might hurt him.
As he turns to deal with Harry, he shouts, "Run, Draco!" Clearly,
whether the vow still holds or not, he's concerned with Draco's
safety. It's not a matter of form, or (IMO) concern for himself and
his vow. He *cares* about Draco. Or that's how it looks to me.

Now granted, we don't know whether Draco waited for Snape and they
apparated together or whether they apparated separately. My guess is
that all of them knew where Voldemort was and that Snape assumed that
Draco would go there and followed. I also think that Snape, still
concerned with Draco's safety, would praise Draco's accomplishment to
Voldemort ("My Lord, he allowed the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. If it
weren't for him, Dumbledore would not be dead.") Words of that sort
would lessen any punishment Voldemort felt Draco deserved and at the
same time show Draco that Snape was not trying to steal his "glory"
(while still concealing what I believe to be Snape's true loyalties).

Once they've faced Voldemort and received whatever reward or
punishment he feels they deserve (and it's impossible to know how LV
will regard the whole affair), I think Snape will offer Draco the
chance to remain with him. If Draco realizes the danger he's in (a
wanted man in the WW with no choice but to hide out somewhere), as
well as how much Snape has done for him all year, he may decide to
remain with Snape as opposed to Aunt Bellatrix (who I think is hiding
in the hidden chamber under the Malfoys' drawing room). But if he
decides that he's a "man" (legally of age and out of school since a
return to Hogwarts is inconceivable), he may reject Snape's
protection. ("You're not my teacher any more!") Considering that he
avoided Snape all year and was a rude little brat to him when they did
talk, rejection seems to me the likelier reaction. 

At any rate, I can't see Snape voluntarily relinquishing his duty to
protect Draco, but if Draco rejects his protection, I can see him
wanting to be free of any remaining provisions of the vow. He would
still, I'm sure, risk his life to protect Draco (and, IMO, Harry), but
at least he wouldn't have the shadow of death hanging over him at
every moment. He'll have enough on his plate with the Aurors and the
Order and Harry and Voldemort--especially if, as we suspect, he and
Harry are on the same side.

Carol