[HPforGrownups] Re: Why DD did not ask Snape to kill him. (extremely long)

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 166128

From: quick_silver71 <quick_silver71 at yahoo.ca>
>Actually I meant that James and Sirius underestimated Peter in the 
>sense that they never thought that he'd turn to Voldemort (or be 
>capable of blowing up a street). On the other hand Dumbledore (and 
>maybe, big maybe, Snape) underestimated Draco's ability to bring 
>Death Eaters into the castle (I believe Dumbledore says as much on 
>the Tower). 

Bart:
That's a nice addition to DDM!Snape. First of all, Snape's attitude during the Spinner's End scene implied that he was not promising to do anything that he wasn't planning to do anyway (while he could be Occluming, this point of view fits in with ESE or DDM). Given DDM!Snape, his promise to help Draco could also mean making sure the plan goes off at a time of Dumbledore's choosing. Also, note there is no time limit on finishing the task. Assuming that Snape is key to Dumbledore's life support system (and we've gone over all the hints, numerous times), then, unless Dumbledore dies by unnatural causes elsewhere, Snape would eventually be the one to "pull the plug". Using an AK instead of withdrawing treatment is, in my mind, a technicality (although I know it is not to a lot of readers here). Yet, it is a standard (albeit illegal) practice among physicians with near-death terminal patients to raise the level of painkillers, resulting in a peaceful overdose rather than a painful removal of life support. 

Bart