On the perfection of moral virtues.

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 169038

 
> Mike:
> Can I just interject here for a moment. Why do we think that 
> Snape "save Harry's life" by performing the countercurse?

zgirnius:
Because Quirrell describes his actions as an attempt on Harry's life, 
not an attempt to make himself a nuisance, perhaps?


> Mike:
> Also, remember he was only aware of Lupin heading for the 
> Womping Willow, he knew not of the trio, Black, nor Pettigrew 
already 
> in the Shack. Snape doesn't seem that concerned with the 
> possibilities, and he has the history to know what he's in for.

zgirnius:
Snape had been suspecting Lupin of being in league with Black all 
year. If he had no idea he would be finding Black at the end of that 
tunnel, I do not believe he would have gone. Lupin forgets his potion 
and decides to go ride the change out in the Shack? Fine. The motive 
to follow had to be that he thought he would finally get the proof he 
needed that Lupin was in league with Black.

> Mike: 
> So either Snape felt there was no real mortal danger in the 
> possibility of facing a werewolf, or he rather stupidly relied on 
> someone else coming to his rescue. 

zgirnius:
I presume he planned to leave Lupin tied up in the Shack. Even if he 
could get free, he could not get past the Willow in his transformed 
state. If we must call people stupid, I would reserve that word for 
the ones who untied him and brought him back out of the Shack even 
after Snape explicitly reminded them of the danger he posed (Sirius 
and Lupin, that is). Lupin especially, who in the excitement of the 
night forgot he had not taken his potion on *two* separate occasions.

It is also not clear that Snape originally intended to enter the 
Willow. He followed Lupin out there, but it is possible, for all we 
know, his discovery of Harry's invisibility cloak may have forced his 
hand.