Snape's the Rescuer - Really?/Justice to Snape

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 170670

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> 
> Lanval:
> What exactly *did* Snape do that was so caring? He awoke, by his own 
> words, to see the Dementors drifting back to their positions at the 
> entrances. He had to notice the direction they came from, otherwise 
> he would not have found Harry, Hermione and Sirius by the lake. So 
> he goes to check it out. He notices Ron, also unconscious, conjures 
> a stretcher, so he can bring him along. 

Pippin:
Ron was unconscious because he was hit by Pettigrew's spell. It's
no ordinary stunner, because he's still out of it when Harry and 
Hermione set off on their adventure. Madam Pomfrey is none too 
happy about his condition "He'll live" she says "grimly" -- and 
that last word is a subtle  reminder that as far as she knows, 
Ron was injured by Sirius Black. Snape, of course, would think 
the same.

(One might speculate that Ron at least owes his life directly
to Snape and that he might have died from Pettigrew's curse
if Snape had not been there. We know Snape knows more about
reversing Dark Magic than Madam Pomfrey at any rate.)

Regardless of whether they were in immediate danger from
the werewolf, Snape would assume there was danger from Sirius. 
As for whether it was necessary to gag Sirius, we've been told 
nonverbal spells are weaker than spoken ones. Snape 
would be taking no chances. 
 
Snape's behavior in the Hospital Wing is in character for the
part he is playing -- insisting that his old rival must pay, wanting
glory for himself, and saying  that he thinks Harry is being
indulged by the Headmaster into thinking too much of himself.
Those are not crimes, either for Snape or for Harry, so it
hardly matters whether Fudge agrees or not.

The thing Snape could really use to get Harry expelled, proof
that Harry had broken wizarding law, Snape chooses not to use.
He doesn't blame Harry, Ron and Hermione for attacking him.

Pippin