Snape Survey, Snapeity, Dumbledore's sacrifice.

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 149200

Alla wrote:
> <snip>
> "Dumbledore did not speak for a moment; he looked as though he was 
> trying to make up his mind about something. At last he said, "I am 
> sure, I trust Severus Snape completely" - HBP, p.549.
> 
> Now the most widespread interpretation of this scene in DD!M Snape 
> camp ( and I am speaking in general here too) is that Dumbledore 
> hesitates whether to tell Harry about the reasons why he trusts 
> Snape, right?
> 
> I think the EQUALLY valid interpretation would be that Dumbledore 
> hesitates because he is actually NOT as sure in his trust of Snape 
> as he claims to be.

Carol responds:
Then why does DD answer, "I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely"
(HBP Am. ed. 549). Is he lying to Harry, saying that he's "sure" when
he's not, that the trusts him "completely" when his trust is
incomplete? Why in the world would Dumbledore do that? 

And note that his trust in Snape is reiterated repeatedly in the
following chapter. When Harry and DD return after DD has drunk the
potion, we have:

"It is . . . Professor Snape whom I need" (580, ellipsis in original).

and

"'Severus,' said Dumbledore clearly. 'I need Severus . . .'" (same
page, ellipsis in original).

On the tower, just before Draco appears, we have:
"'Go and wake Severus,' said Dumbledore faintly but clearly. 'Tell him
what has happened and bring him to me. Do nothing else, speak to
nobody else, and do not remove your cloak. I shall wait here.'
"'But--'
"'You swore to obey me, Harry. Go!'" (583)

And in the conversation with Draco, after DD says that Snape has been
watching over Draco on his (DD's) orders, Draco says:
"He's a double agent, you stupid old man, he isn't working for you,
you just think he is!" and DD responds, "We must agree to differ on
that. It so happens that I trust Professor Snape--" (588).
 
This is DD's last reference to Snape, who disappears from the
conversation until Dumbledore speaks his name when he appears on the
tower and looks around.

No evidence anywhere that Dumbledore's trust in Snape has in any way
diminished, or that Snape has given him any reason to distrust him. On
the contrary, Snape has saved three lives directly and one indirectly
in the course of that school year--surely cementing DD's trust rather
than the reverse. 

Carol, noting that when no canon is available to support a position,
there's no disgrace in conceding defeat