Snape on the Tower (was:Comparing Secret Keeper plan and UV plan...)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 166228

> >>Dana:
> I agree completely with Jen. To me indeed he is not making a choice
> on the tower but I will not go as far as saying he made the decision
> in the beginning of the year but he made the choice the moment
> Flitwick entered his office and I tell you why. (which is of course
> absolutely influenced by a decision he made in the beginning of the
> year)
> 
> To me his actions before he reaches the tower makes this clear to   
> me; 
> 1) He takes out Flitwick, instead of giving him orders to alert the
> MoM,

Betsy Hp:
I do think Snape is choosing to behave as Dumbledore's Man here, 
yes.  He's elects to continue his role as spy and keep any innocents 
(Flitwick, Hermione, Luna) out of it.

> >>Dana:
> 2) he never talks to anyone or does anything in his run to the     
> tower.

Betsy Hp:
A combination of time constraints and the fact that there's no one to 
talk too.  I don't know who else is in on Snape's job as spy *except* 
for Dumbledore and Snape.  But if there were someone, the last thing 
Snape should do at this time is point them out to all and sundry by 
stopping to chat about contingency plans

> >>Dana:
> 3) he does not ask for any assistance while he does not know what to
> expect when he gets there.

Betsy Hp:
Why wouldn't Snape know?  I'm sure Flitwick said "Death Eater's in 
the castle!"  What else is there to find out?  And Snape's double 
role is his strength at this point.

> >>Dana:
> 4) He takes only one minute to explore the scene and take DD out; he
> never stalls to really think hard if it indeed is his only option.

Betsy Hp:
Well, that's because Snape is so very, very intelligent.  He's able 
to figure out what to do (with a prompt from Dumbledore) in a short 
period of time.

> >>Dana:
> 5) On his way out he does not make sure all threats are eliminated
> for instance by taking out the big blond.

Betsy Hp:
Snape eliminates the threats by telling the Death Eaters that it's 
over and they need to go.  Which also helps him keep his cover.  
(See?  Clever. <g>)

> >>Dana:
> <snip>
> He swoops the scene and takes DD out, that's it.

Betsy Hp:
Except that's not true.  Snape arrives; he takes in the scene; he's 
spoken to by a Death Eater and then by Dumbledore; he pushes Draco 
out of the way; he looks at Dumbledore for a moment; Dumbledore 
speaks again; Snape throws his curse.  And *then* that's it.  Well, 
you know, there's some exit stuff. <g>

> >>Dana:
> <snip>
> Snape being so excellent in non-verbal spells, as he mocks Harry, is
> not able in his passing by to take out this guy without anyone
> noticing?

Betsy Hp:
Considering Snape is leading all the fleeing Death Eaters?  I think 
the chances are fairly slim. 

> >>Dana:
> <big snip>
> Personally I believe he did not tell DD about the vow but I do
> believe DD knew more than he let on but he left Snape with his own
> choice as he has been doing with everyone the entire series, but I
> believe he was pleading with Snape to make the right choice and that
> was not killing him.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
So why is Dumbledore not surprised or hurt or whatever?  Why don't we 
get any sort of reaction to suggest that Dumbledore has just been 
betrayed?

Betsy Hp