What Dumbledore "believes" (was Re: What Harry "knows")

[julie]

No: HPFGUIDX 169872

  
> > Dana:
> > It specifically states that DD believed that it was Snape's 
reason 
> > for his *return* not turned. Harry does not stop DD in mid-
sentence. 
> > He is talking about Snape greatest regret. Snape himself states 
the 
> > same thing in Spinner's end that he told DD a story of his 
deepest 
> > regret. JKR states that Snape told DD his story and DD believe 
it. 
> > Maybe it isn't all there is to it but her quote was before HBP 
came 
> > out and not after so at this point it might as well be all there 
is 
> > to it. 
> > 
> > http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2004/0304-wbd.htm
> > 
> > Ali: Why specifically does Dumbledore trust Snape?
> > JK Rowling replies -> Another excellent and non-answerable 
question. 
> > I shall merely say that Snape has given Dumbledore his story and 
> > Dumbledore believes it.
> 
> colebiancardi:
> 
> again, Harry does stop DD in mid-sentence.  If you look at the Am Ed
> Hardcover of HBP:
> 
> "You have no idea of the remorse Professor Snape felt when he 
realized
> how Lord Voldemort had interpreted the prophecy, Harry.  I believe 
it
> to the be the greatest regret of his life and the reason that he
> returned ---"
> "But he's a very good Occlumens, isn't he, sir?" said Harry
> 
> p 549
> 
> the dashes tell me at least there is more to what DD was going to 
say.
>  Also, DD states it is HIS belief, not what Snape told him.  So, 
yes,
> I believe there is more to it and it hasn't been revealed.  If the
> remorse is the only reason, I would think that to be very lame and 
DD
> shouldn't have entrusted Snape to be spy for him.

Julie:
I'm wondering if we shouldn't take what Dumbledore's "believes" with 
the same grain of salt as what Harry "knows"? Every time Dumbledore 
says "I believe..." my suspicion is that he is leaving something very 
important out of the equation. 

Just as Harry's "knowing" something usually indicates he'll be proven 
wrong, does Dumbledore's "I believe" indicate that he's dancing 
around the edges of the truth, revealing only the smallest part of it?

The first example of this from Dumbledore was in PS/SS--"I do 
*believe* he (Snape) worked so hard to protect you this year because 
he felt that would make him and your father even." 

It's a short and simple explanation, but it doesn't explain why Snape 
*continues* to work so hard year after year to protect Harry. I know 
some think Snape's in a constant battle to pay off that "debt" he 
supposedly still owes James (Dumbledore in fact never refers to it as 
an actual "life debt"), and it could be that Dumbledore is hedging 
his bets here (like always!) and not telling Harry the true scope of 
the debt. The question would be why, since Harry knowing that Snape 
is constrained from physically harming him rather than choosing to 
restrain himself isn't likely to change much in their acrimonious 
relationship, IMO. (And Dumbledore did not hestitate to explain the 
life debt principle when it was activated between Harry and the man 
*he* saved, Peter Pettigrew.)

The main reason I don't buy it is because there is nothing whatsoever 
in canon that implies a life debt carries over from father to son. In 
fact it goes against JKR's own sentiment (expressed through 
Dumbledore), that it is our choices which define us and our fates, 
not our parents' choices or any other sort of predetermination. So I 
think it's more likely there is something else, something even more 
substantive than a sense of indebtedness left unpaid, that motivates 
Snape to continually protect Harry from physical harm.

Besides these two "beliefs" Dumbledore relates to answer Harry's 
probing questions (both not so strangely referring to the most 
enigmatic character in the books), are there any other instances 
where Dumbledore uses "I believe..." to preface a requested 
explanation, especially when that request comes from Harry? I.e., 
other instances where Dumbledore gives an answer that while likely 
true, is NOT the whole story or perhaps not even the most important 
element of the story?

Julie