Snape's involvement in the murder of Sirius

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 169215

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > Okay, this is really fascinating to me, because again, I read the 
> > kitchen scene completely differently.  Snape doesn't seem at all 
> > enraged in this scene to me. On the contrary, Snape seems very    
> > much in control.
> > <snip>

> >>Jen:  Yes...I'm not sure.  The book says Snape was 'calculating.' 
> I suppose it's because when Snape starts whispering is when he     
> seems the most dangerous to me?  His snap at the end of POA with    
> the yelling, shrieking and spit flying should have struck me as    
> Snape at his angriest, but the going quiet deal impresses me as    
> Snape at his scariest. (Yes, scary, I know that's hard for someone 
> who loves the character to imagine but he can be very chilling to   
> me. <g>)  

Betsy Hp:
Are you kidding me?!?  It's Snape at his scariest when I most want to 
drag him off and do unspeakable things to him... (oh, um... too much 
information?) <rbeg>

I completely agree that Snape is in his dangerous mode in the 
kitchen.  Not in a "mad man who's going to snap at any moment" sort 
of way, but very much able to handle anything Sirius might think to 
throw at him. Fully alert, fully focused; absolutely capable, 
absolutely in command.  (Mmmm, Snape)

But the big thing for me is, Snape is not escalating things here.  
He's taunting Sirius, yes.  But the emotional fury all comes from 
Sirius.  In many ways it's like Snape is toying with a child.  Which 
is why I have a hard time buying that Snape, after this scene, sees 
Sirius as any sort of threat.  This scene proves to Snape, I think, 
that Snape is the stronger man.  Sirius has gone from campus golden 
boy to a rather pathetic man.  There's nothing there to threaten 
Snape anymore, and I think Snape sees that.

> >>Jen:  He's a scary man Betsy, *scary*.  

Betsy Hp:
I know, Jen. ::sigh:: I know. <bg>

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > Gosh, to me that actually goes completely *against* Snape's 
> > characterization.  For some reason I just don't see Snape acting
> > like such a lone wolf. <snip> The ones who'd most likely strike   
> > out on their own; the ones who actually *did* strike out on their 
> > own were the Marauders.  But Snape?  No, I'm pretty sure Snape    
> > was, and is, Dumbledore's man through and through.

> >>Jen:  This one here is the parting of the ways I'm afraid, not 
> because I don't agree the Marauders have acted on their own plenty 
> but because I see Snape doing that as well:  Going after Quirrell   
> by himself?

Betsy Hp:
I think this one is under contention.  I tend to think Dumbledore 
knew about Snape's suspicions as soon as Snape had them.  So while 
Snape went after Quirrell alone, I don't think he did it against 
orders.  Actually, he may have been *following* orders.

> >>Jen:
> Running to the Shrieking Shack without alerting Dumbledore?

Betsy Hp:
He was on a fact finding mission. <g>  Honestly, this goes towards 
that fine line I talked about earlier: Snape is Dumbldore's man, but 
not his drone.  Lupin is a professor, Snape is not happy about it, 
but he follows Dumbledore's orders (doesn't spill the political 
beans, creates the requested potion, etc.).  But when Snape sees 
Lupin off doing something weird, he takes it upon himself to figure 
out what that something weird is.

He already knows Dumbledore doesn't share his suspicions.  So Snape's 
going to try and find proof that he is actually right on this one.  
And then bring that proof right to Dumbledore, I'm sure.

> >>Jen:
> Informing the Slytherins about Lupin without talking to Dumbledore 
> first?

Betsy Hp:
Why would Snape need to talk to Dumbledore here?  Or, more 
importantly, how do we know Snape *hasn't* talked to Dumbledore?  Not 
that I think Dumbledore would have agreed to Snape informing his 
students that one of their professors is a werewolf.  But Snape may 
already be aware that Dumbledore is letting Lupin go.  (I know, 
Dumbledore firing Lupin is not a fact, but evidence has been shown to 
be there, and I like it.  Cannot remember who made that post however, 
sorry.) 

> >>Jen:
> Not sending a Patronus to Dumbledore the minute Harry appeared to   
> have had the vision of Sirius?  Possibly the UV?  
> I know Snape needing to send a patronus to Dumbledore is not canon 
> but I've never understood this action on Snape's part.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Perhaps Dumbledore (who is in hiding) has asked for communication to 
be kept at a minimum?  Whatever the reason, Snape acts as 
Dumbledore's man as far as we can see.  He checks on Harry's story, 
he checks on Harry, and when he feels he needs assistence, he goes to 
the Order.  And he makes sure Dumbledore is informed.

Again, I feel Snape is completely loyal to Dumbledore and has the 
same beliefs.  I do not think Snape is Dumbledore's drone and needs 
to ask Dumbledore what choice to make everytime one is put in front 
of him.  I don't know why Snape chose to take the UV, but I'm betting 
it was for a reason he thought would best support Dumbledore's 
plans.  And I bet Dumbledore learned about it as soon as Snape could 
get to him.

> >>Alla:
> But he didn't acquiesce, did he? Cool word :)
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Isn't it?  And it sounds as beautiful as it reads. Very 
unlike "melancholy", which looks beautiful but sounds like some sort 
of evil fruit/vegetable hybrid. A tiny piece of my innocence died the 
day I heard "melancholy" spoken out loud.

Oh, and what zgirnius said to everything else. <bg>

Betsy Hp