Snape, the unbreakable vow and an unwelcome revelation

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 165930

--- "juleyjubes" <juleyjubes at ...> wrote:
> Juley:
>
> ....  However, ... I wanted to check something in HBP.
> 
> I have just re-read from the Lightning-Struck Tower 
>and ... something ... I had (not) ever noticed before.  
> 
> ... on page 549 of the UK hard  back version of HBP I 
> have just read,
> 
> Draco, "He hasn't been doing your orders, he promised 
> my mother -"
> 
> Dumbledore, "Of course that is what he would tell you,
> Draco, but -"
> 
> I now have a feeling of dread as we know he did make 
> a promise with Draco's mother!  Can Dumbledore really 
> have got it wrong....?
> 
> ...

bboyminn:

I think, to some limited extent, we have a question of
context. Does 'of course he would tell you that' 
refer to 'orders' or 'promise'?

If you apply it to 'promise' then you may have something,
but if you apply Dumbledore's response to 'order' then
it is more reasonable series of statements. 

Let's break it down to illustrate the point -

"He hasn't been doing your orders...."

"Of course, that is what he would tell you..."

OR

"...he promised my mother -"

"Of course, that is what he would tell you..."

Different context, different meaning.

Also, note that neither one really finishes his sentence.
What does Draco /think/ Snape promised his mother?
What would have come after Dumbledore's 'but'? 

>From out limited knowledge, Draco knows that Snape 
promised Draco's mother that Snape would look after him?
But does he have information from his mother; it seems 
not since he doesn't seem to believe Snape. So, 
apparently, he only knows what Snape told him in the 
overheard converstaion during Slughorn's party. That's 
not much compared to what Snape actually promised.

Also, Draco certainly believes that Snape is one of the
loyal Death Eaters. It's not that Draco doubts Snape,
it's that Draco like all the DE's is spending his time
trying to curry favor with Voldemort. 

In this case, I'm reminded of the Bartimaeus Trilogy; 
another story about wizards in London. The wizards in
this story are in charge of the government, and they 
are all so intent on being in favor with the Prime
Minister, that they can't accomplish anything. They
don't dare make a decision for fear that it is the 
wrong one. So, rather that take a chance and do 
something, they spend all their time trying to make
the other guy look bad.

That is a completely disfunctional organization.
Individuals are incapable of independant thinking and
problem solving for fear of reprisals. So, what does
get done, gets done badly.

I think perhaps you are taking Dumbledore's statement
as too absolute. He is probably speaking in generalities
within the context of this specific conversation. He
is not trying to make an all inclusive statement, he is
just making the point, that while Draco feels Snape is
working for Voldemort, Dumbledore feels he is working
for him.

Not sure if that helps but there it is.

Steve/bboyminn