Do any list members think Dumbledore might have asked Snape to kill him?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 146989

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Corey Overton" <coverton at n...>
wrote:
>
> Hi list members, how's it going? Are any list members of the
> view that Dumbledore might have asked Snape to kill Dumbledore
> because he was dying anyway? I think Snape killed Dumbledore 
> because he's with Voldemort. Just wondering what people think. 
> 
> Your fellow member, 
> Corey
>

bboyminn:

Despite how many times this has been discussed, I doubt that it can
every be resolved until we have the last book. Even then, it may not
be completely resolved.

Personally, I resist all speculation that Dumbledore and Snape sat
down and conspired for Snape to kill Dumbledore. That is too far
fetched and most unlikely. However, I don't have a problem with
Dumbledore impressing on Snape that Harry's life was of vital
important, and that Harry's life was more valuable than even his own
(Dumbledore's that is).

First, stop and think of how that conspiritorial conversation would
have gone. Dumbledore calls Snape to his office and says -

"I've got a great idea. First, we talk Draco into fixing the vanishing
cabinet. Then we bring a pack of marauding Death Eaters into the
castle. Then you suggest that the DE's set off the Dark Mark at the
top of the tower. Then when I show up, you rush to the tower and kill
me. It's foolproof. What could go wrong?"

Sorry, but that is far too unlikely a plan for me or Snape to ever
swallow, or for Dumbledore to ever conceive. 

However, in that final moment at the top of the tower, I can see
Dumbledore saying "...Severus ...please ...you understand the
situation. You know there is only one 'best' way out. Do what you know
you must do to salvage this situation and protect the innocent
(meaning Harry and Draco). Do what you know will produce the best
possible outcome in the struggle against Voldemort." 

I assume there was a degree of Legilimency involved, but I think the
bulk of it stems from Dumbledore's earlier emphasis that Harry's well
being must be protected AT ALL COSTS, and the cost in that terrible
moment was Dumbledore's life.

Beside, between the Cave Potion and the Dead Hand Curse, I think
Dumbledore was fading fast. I think his time on this earth was already
limited, so his death didn't represent the loss of a full rich life
ahead. It represented the loss of the life of a person who had already
lived a long, full, rich life that was greatly rewarding and very
satisfying. Dumbledore knew he had lived his life and done his share
to make a better world, and while he did not welcome death, he also
did not fear it. 

I very much believe that this was an 'in the moment' thing. In that
moment both Snape and Dumbledore realized that there was only one
safe, productive, and effective way out. Snape weighed the stituation
and took the only workable option he had - he killed Dumbledore.

In killing Dumbledore, their main objective, the DE's no longer had a
reason to stay in the castle, they no longer had a reason to cause
further death and destruction. So, Snape killed Dumbledore and got
Draco and the rest of the DE's out of the castle. 

Further, in his own nasty way, Snape protected Harry on the way out.
He only used defensive curses against Harry, and he stopped the other
DE's from attacking Harry. Yes, Dumbledore is dead, BUT ONLY
Dumbledore is dead. It could have been much worse if Dumbledore had
chosen to fight, or had forced Snape to turn against the DE's in that
moment. I think regardless of Snape's choice, Dumbledore was certain
to die.

So, Snape and Dumbledore's choice was the choice of least destruction
and death, and further, it was the choice that left Snape in the best
position to continue to help.

So, Dumbledore is dead. I see no point in his continued existance, and
we must remember that Dumbledore is not truly gone. We still have his
protrait, and while it is far from the original living Dumbledore, he
is still there to impart wisdom on Harry and others. 

We know that the Portraits are limted, JKR said as much, but we also
know that they have very strong personalities and are capable of
complex communication. I believe Dumbledore continues on in the story
though his protrait, and, little as it is, we can take some comfort in
that.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn