[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry's arrogance /Evil Snape

[rebecca]

No: HPFGUIDX 154412

>Carol said:

<snip>

> Carol, certain that Healer!Snape is Dumbledore's Man and that DD's
> trust in him is (was) wholly justified, but not yet persuaded that
> Dumbledore is alive and Snape is off the hook

and the Julie said:

>Why does Snape have to be a saint to save Harry? He's been saving
>Harry since Book 1, even though he hates the little brat (his view).
>He can do it again on the Tower while still hating the brat,  because
>it is what *DD* wants, and because it's what will save the WW (and
>even because he doesn't want Harry dead even if he hates him).


Rebecca:

First, the only compelling evidence that I feel comfortable with that Snape 
is loyal to Dumbledore is the fact that Snape didn't let him die when he 
returned to Hogwarts after breaking the curse on Slytherin's ring:

"Yes indeed," said Dumbledore, and he raised his blackened, burned-looking 
hand. "The ring, Harry. Marvolo's ring. And a terrible curse there was upon 
it too. Had it not been - forgive me the lack of seemly modesty - for my own 
prodigious skill, and for Professor Snape's timely action when I returned to 
Hogwarts, desperately injured, I might not have lived to tell the tale. 
However, a withered hand does not seem an unreasonable exchange for a 
seventh of Voldemort's soul. The ring is no longer a Horcrux."

We already know the Ministry doesn't know where Dumbledore goes and what he 
does. Interesting timing it would appear (and note I said "appear") that 
Snape helped Dumbledore before he made his Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa. If 
Snape was a truly ambitious, evil-loving Death Eater, wouldn't he have just 
made himself "unavailable" to assist? Dumbledore's demise couldn't have 
pinned on him, and he would have done Voldemort a favor, particularly so 
close to the episode between the two in MoM in OoP.

IMO, Julie is correct - one doesn't have to be a saint to save Harry on the 
Tower.  He only needs to have a bigger picture, if he's truly Dumbledore's 
Man, to know that most likely Harry would die if he didn't take action. The 
only problem with this is the Unbreakable Vow thing as Draco might be killed 
too on the Tower if all hell broke loose and Snape's going to die if he 
doesn't protect Draco.  Therefore, it's yet again an ambiguous (yes I hate 
that) choice.

I must say this, however - Dumbledore says in the quote above "I might not 
have lived to tell the tale."  The question is did he only sacrifice his 
"withered hand" to destroy the Ring Horcrux or did Snape just slow the 
progression of whatever curse that affected Dumbledore such that he would 
just buy himself *more time?* I ask this because it's noted several times 
that Harry observes Dumbledore looking  weary - even Nick says so in the 
same chapter as the quote above:

"I had it from the Bloody Baron, who saw him arrive," said Nick. "He 
appeared, according to the Baron, to be in good spirits, though a little 
tired, of course."

And just for good measure, Harry's POV notes it, too:

"There sat Dumbledore looking unusually tired; his hand was as black and 
burned as ever, but he smiled when he gestured to Harry to sit down."

and

"Please close the door and sit down, Harry," said Dumbledore, sounding 
rather tired."

Hmmm.  Much pondering to ensue.

Rebecca