On the perfection of moral virtues--Snape, the shack, and unilateral authority

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 169074

Alla:

> All that I am questioning is your assertion that Snape would have 
> been hailed a hero for **killing** Sirius Black. Let me say it 
> again - **not** for capturing Sirius Black. We all know that Snape 
> almost got his Order of Merlin for that. So, sure for that - for 
> **capturing** he will be a hero.

Leslie:
Do you think Snape would be hailed as a hero for killing Voldemort? 
Do you think Harry would? Sirius is not of that order, of course, but 
he is a known dangerous criminal, perceived by everyone as a crazed, 
insane murderer of thirteen people, Muggle and wizard.  Black's 
actions in Hogwarts don't seem to undermine that judgement, either.  
He's not just thought to be a killer, he's believed to be *crazy*, 
and described as such. Voldemort described as more rational.        

Alla:
> So, my conjecture is that since it is not specifically said that 
> wizarding population was allowed to use lethal force, they would be 
> punished for using it against Sirius Black same way as against any 
> other person.

Leslie:

Well, no one speaks of "capturing" Voldemort, do they?  The 
understanding is that Voldemort will be *killed*.  Obliterated.  The 
wizarding population is obviously allowed to use deadly force against 
him.  At the end of HBP, Harry himself specifically states:  "I'm the 
one who's going to kill him."  Then Harry also specifically drops a 
very clear hint that if Severus Snape shows up, he's going to kill 
him as well.  

So yes, I would assume that deadly force, under the right 
circumstances, is acceptable.  

> Alla: 
> So, again, why are you ( generic you) so sure that he will be 
> called a hero instead of criminal if he kills Sirius Black?

Leslie:
For the same reason that Harry would be called a hero for killing 
Voldemort.  Again, the two "villains" are not of the same order, but 
they're both "guilty" of multiple murders, and Black is believed to 
be Voldemort's servant.  

Now, of course when a wizard kills someone, just like when a police 
officer kills a criminal, there is certain to be some sort of 
inquiry.  But it's stretching things a bit, I think, to suggest that 
there's even a remote possibility that Snape would end up in Azkaban 
for killing a known insane murderer who was advancing on him with 
rage in his eyes and a clear intent to do harm.

It just seems bending sense a bit to believe that.