HBP theories...

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 159470

---  "esmith222002" <c.john at ...> wrote:
>
> ---  "zgirnius" <zgirnius@> wrote:
> >
> [SNIP]  
> > I kind of like the theory that Dumbledore's death was
> > not planned in  advance, that I mentioned above. 
> > Because I think that would make it the hardest for 
> > things to get straightened out in Book 7 (and thus, 
> > the most exciting/suspenseful to read about.<grin>)

> Brothergib:
> 
> On finding out from Flitwick that DE's have invaded the
> castle, Snape runs straight for the tower, without even
> stopping to consider the battle raging within Hogwarts.
>  This is a very single minded action and suggests that 
> this course of action had been predetermined. ... 
> Therefore the plan of action would seem to be that Snape
> has to kill DD before Malfoy does. ... The whole reason
> for DD's death at the hands of Snape is to place a 
> trusted double agent at LV's side.
> 
> Brothergib
>

bboyminn:

In general I don't have a problem with Snape and 
Dumbledore having a plan, but I am very uneasy with the
idea that the plan was as specific as 'Dumbledore made 
Snape agree to kill him when DE's entered the castle'. 
That strikes me as a very narrow plan in such an anything
can happen wide open war.

I suspect it was more like 'Dumbledore made Snape argee
that if Hogwarts should ever be invaded by any means and
by any person or persons that Snape would act in the 
greater long term interest of Voldemort's defeat and not
merely try to salvage the moment to great detrimental 
short term and long term cost'.

That strikes me as a broader and all-encompassing plan 
that allows for the very certain uncertainty of this war.

That also includes Snape acting on their suspicions 
regarding Draco. When Dumbledore said 'Severus please...',
he wasn't saying 'please kill me', he was saying 'please
do what you know must be done for the greater long term
good of all'. 

In that moment, in effect, it amounts to the same thing
since, in that moment, the greater long term good is 
served by Dumbledore dying for good cause, rather
than them all dying in a futile attempt to save 
Dumbledore.

So, I don't think Dumbledore specifically planned for
Snape to kill him, certainly that possibility was 
included in a broader plan, but not specifically stated.

So, in that context, I almost agree with you.

Steve/bboyminn