[HPforGrownups] Re: VA/H=Mx13+RP? Snape's Culpability?

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 147218


> Pippin:
> DDM!Snape fan though I am, I don't think DE Snape was unaware that
> enemies of the Dark Lord, "those who have thrice defied him"
> were going to be killed. Of course they would, that's what
> happens in war. If they don't want to be killed, let them stop
> being enemies.


Magpie:

Yes.  It gets back to the idea of everyone really not being on the same side 
with the same pov.  Voldemort is not the evil guy from the DE's pov--he's 
the guy who's purging the world of filth.  Even if he's doing things that 
are dark, if you are a DE you are on board with this, you see the reward for 
these things as being worth it for whatever reason you do.  If someone had a 
prophecy that predicted Voldeort I've no doubt plenty of people would think 
it might be a good idea to take Tom Riddle out, baby or not.

Another thing that's funny to remember is that the other side thought Harry 
was a *Dark* wizard when he defeated Voldemort.  Don't know exactly how that 
adds, but it is kind of interesting.  In their mind Snape's prophecy would 
have taken out a powerful Dark Wizard, Darker than Voldemort.

This has nothing to do with Snape being less culpable--the consequence of 
Voldemort targetting Harry is obviously a forseeable consequence of what he 
Snape did.  I don't think Snape was *confused* by finding out how Voldemort 
interpreted it.  Dismayed, but he surely realized that this was a logical 
interpretation of the prophecy Snape gave him--that's why he took stpes to 
undo it.  What makes Snape less culpable is the fact that he took action to 
fix what he had done before.  If that means nothing, what would be the point 
in people doing the right thing?  If I were on the other side and Snape had 
genuinely repented and taken steps to help us protect the Potters, I would 
consider his past forgiven and not to be brought up again--he's a valuable 
member of our side now. If the Potters died anyway (as they did) then yes, 
I'd imagine Snape still felt some responsibility but I wouldn't lay it on 
him myself because he already owned up to his mistake and did something to 
make it right.  In that scenario, Peter's decision to betray the Potters 
stands on its own, a completely separate, free choice to betray them.

-m