Snape's dilemma (Was: Dumbledore as a judge of character)

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 166094


> Alla:
> 
> Except of course there is that "murder splits the soul" assertion 
in 
> canon and a question whether Dumbledore would have asked **anyone** 
> especially one of his own to split that soul, benefits for WW or 
> not, necessity to save other people or not.

<snip>

> But really it all comes down for me to how you see Dumbledore. If 
> you believe that Dumbledore indeed would have asked that of Snape, 
> then sure the theory stands strong.

zgirnius:
It also depends on what one believes tears the soul apart. 
Personally, I think we are to understand Sluggie's explanation to 
mean that mere *killing* does not. Whether accidental killings, 
killings in self-defense or the defense of others, killings in war, 
or other killings that don't quite reach the level of murder.

The definition of murder I believe is relevant is killing with 
malicious intent (rather than any particular legal definitions, which 
vary in time and jurisdiction and thus in my opinion cannot govern a 
magical phenomenon that presumably exists in all times and places). 
If Snape killed Dumbledore for the same reasons as Dumbledore 
requested it, I disagree that he murdered Dumbledore, and thus, I 
disagree that it would cause permanent damage to his soul.

To me, this theory actually portrays Dumbledore in a positive light. 
It posits that he chose to die rather than fight for a slim chance to 
live, in order to ensure that Harry, Draco, and Snape might live. I 
find this admirable, and I consider it to fit in with the theme of 
self-sacrifice I see in the series. 

It is one reason I don't hold his alleged failings in arranging 
Harry's custody and general happiness against him. I believe he loved 
Harry, and was willing to share the dangers of the fight against 
Voldemort into which he was leading his followers, as he demonstrated 
by the manner of his death.