My Take on the Whole Snape/Draco/Dumbledore/Secret Keeper Thing

[Norma Jean]

No: HPFGUIDX 161127

Sandra, I had thoughts on much of what you said but this is what
stands out for me at the moment (I really need to cook dinner).

"> Now, for Draco ... I also haven't believed Draco was
> all bad ever since the end of CoS.  I'd have to read
> the entire book again to see if this is in the book
> and not just in the movie, but do you remember in the
> movie where they were at the bookstore and Draco comes
> down the stairs to taunt Harry before his Father puts
> the book in Ginny's cauldron?  Well, Draco pulled a
> piece of paper out of a book, folded it and put it in
> his pocket.  Later in the book, Hermione is found with
> a folded page of a book in her hand (and written on).
> Now, I dont' believe for one second that Hermione
> would deface a book like that.  She would have
> transcribed the info on a separate piece of paper for
> herself.  I think that Draco knew what his Father was
> up to and was trying to help without anyone knowing.
> When time was going by and Hermione wasn't coming up
> with an answer on her own, he snuck the paper to her
> somehow.  I think Draco has been struggling with his
> feelings just as much as Snape had when he was young.
> Unfortunately, Draco has two parents that beat the
> subject of hating muggleborns into his head and he has
> that to contend with as well.  Now don't get me wrong;
> I don't think he's all peaches and cream inside, but I
> don't think he's all bad and is trying to find his
> true self."

I have wondered about Draco myself, especially in Book 6. His hatred
of Harry seems to come from being the spoiled, little rich kid who
always had his own way but now is over shadowed by Harry who is
getting all this fame and glory. He is small and petty and not
necessarily evil. He also has a respect for Hermione. Notice that he
says he borrowed the coin idea from her. As much as he says he
doesn't like mudbloods, he can't help but admire her intelligence.
>
> "As for Dumbledore, I too held onto the hope that he
> wasn't really dead and it was maybe a boggart or
> something that Hagrid carried in the funeral.
> Unfortunately, when the painting appeared in the
> headmaster's office, those hopes were shattered."

I should look this up myself because I can't remember. The portraits
on the headmaster's wall - they are of past headmasters but is it
clear that they are of headmasters who have died or only that have
left the position for one reason or another?
>
> "I also think he and Dumbledore had an understanding
> and he HAD to kill him in order to save both his own
> life because of his Wizard's Oath to Narcissa and to
> save Draco's life because he didn't do it.  Remember
> that all Albus said to him was "Please, Severus" (or
> something to that effect).  He never said "Don't",
> almost like he was trying to give Snape the strength
> that it had to be done and he knew it was time."
>
I got that feeling when he begged Snape at the end, too. I mean,
when has Dumbledore shown that type of weakness before? He faced
Voldemort and won but then later begs for his life from this man he
supposedly trusts? So it does make sense that he is begging him to
do it and not the other way around. I believe this is one reason why
Harry was immobilized so this could not be prevented.

NJ