The unknown factor...... The apparent ease at which DD was killed.

[David]

No: HPFGUIDX 149956

> David wrote:  <SNIP>
> "Here is my theory... Both Snape and DD knew what was going to 
> happen and that in order to get Snape back into the 'fold', they 
> put into motion of series of events that would culminate in the 
> ultimate sign he was back to the death eaters... the murder of DD 
> himself. Granted its a rather large sacrifice, but if he was going 
> to die anyway, why not make it worth while. Thoughts?"
>  
> CH3ed:
> I like it, <snip> tho I won't go so far as to say that DD was 
> planned in advanced by DD and Snape. I think they have discussed 
> various possibilities and had an agreement that Harry's <snip> 
> and Draco's <snip> lives (and souls) are top priorities. And 
> they might have agreed (willingly or not on Snape's side) that 
> should worst case scenarios (the tower scene applies) happen and 
> it is DD's life or Harry's and Draco's, then Snape must sacrifice 
> DD. The disagreement in the forest that Hagrid overheard might 
> have been Snape feeling the same way Harry did when he hesitated 
> about giving DD his word to obey DD even if it means to abandon 
> DD to die and save himself. 


David:
I think the other clue is the look, the contempt/hatred that Snape 
gave DD as he did it. Was it contempt for DD himself, the position 
he found himself in, an inward self-loathing for having to do it in 
the first place or being in a position where he had to? Or a 
combination of all those. While I dislike Snape as a person for his 
pettiness and contempt for those whom he feels are weaker than he, I 
think he geniunely respected DD and liked him, despite being 
overlooked for the DADA's job....