Snape and Dumbledore on the Tower: A Defense of Snape

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 165278


> Carol earlier:
> > > There is no saving Dumbledore, who would have been killed by the
> Death Eaters if Snape or the poison (or Draco under coercion) hadn't
> killed him.
> > 
> Eggplant responded:
> > But of course if Snape hadn't taken that vow he could have turned
> his wand onto the Death Eaters instead of Dumbledore.

Pippin:

Dumbledore did not want Harry to risk even a drop of blood on his behalf.
Risks that Harry must take to destroy Voldemort are another matter. 
But saving Dumbledore will not bring the destruction of the Dark Lord
any closer, while Harry's destruction will put it beyond reach. 
For the purposes of the plan, Dumbledore is expendable, 
Harry is not. Dumbledore himself emphasized that he might order
Harry to leave him in danger and flee, and that he would expect
such an order to be carried out.

Dumbledore would not want frozen Harry exposed to the risk of wild 
spells bouncing everywhere in a melee,  even if he thought Snape
could win (which is doubtful considering his showing against Fluffy
and the combined attack of the Trio in POA.  When it comes to
fighting a legilimens, three heads are definitely better than one.) 

All this is to say that even if Snape hadn't taken the vow, Dumbledore
wouldn't have done anything differently on the tower. The only thing 
the vow did that night, IMO, is compel Snape to ignore the battle below 
and go straight to Draco's aid. But that too, I think, is what Dumbledore 
would have wanted. 


> Eggplant:
> > And then there is the revulsion and hatred etched into the harsh
> lines of Snape's face as he murdered Dumbledore, that's a real problem
> too; it just doesn't sound like a good Snape to me. <snip>

Pippin:
Snape does not show the involuntary signs which seem to appear
when he's exhibiting genuine anger. There's no pulse throbbing in
his temple, no glittering eyes or paleness. So whatever is causing
his hate and revulsion, I don't think it's hostility towards Dumbledore.


Pippin