[HPforGrownups] Re: Second hand trust in Snape WAS: Would Harry forgiving Snape

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 164213

Carol:
If I'm right, if Dumbledore acted for the good of the WW in begging Snape to
keep his vow rather than breaking it and dying with him, I see that as a
brave and noble action. He saved Snape's life, and in doing so, enabled
Snape to save Draco and get the DEs off the tower before they attacked
Harry. If any other DE had killed Dumbledore, or if he had dropped dead from
the poison, Snape would have been forced to reveal his loyalties or die from
the vow, Fenrir Greyback would have had Dumbledore for "afters," Draco would
have been killed by Voldemort for failing to kill DD, Harry would have come
out from the Invisibility Cloak and been killed by the DEs, and the DEs
would have run through Hogwarts, killing and destroying at will (as the
broken Gryffindor hourglass perhaps signifies).


Sherry now:
All of this is only speculation, as we don't really know how weak Dumbledore
was at the time of Snape's cowardly act, nor what would have happened if
Snape had chosen to act as a faithful soldier and friend.  No matter what
the reasoning behind what Snape did, it's still not heroic or forgivable.  I
could never forgive someone who murdered my loved one or mentor.  I realize
this is based on personal feelings and experience, but I hope Harry doesn't
have to forgive a murderer in order to succeed, because I would find that
one of the more unrealistic things in the entire series.  He may have to
work with him, if Snape indeed did it out of a supposed greater good, but
working with doesn't have to mean forgiving.  

Sherry, who could never forgive it, so good thing she's not the hero of the
story!