Could Harry have saved Snape? (was Reacting to DH...)

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 178063

--
> >> Potioncat:
> > > > As the reader caught up in the events I am furious that 
neither 
> > > Harry 
> > > > nor Hermione tried to help Snape--even if it wouldn't have 
> worked.
> >
> 
> Tacey: My first post and i'll probably ruffle some feathers but 
this 
> is just my thoughts on this topic.
> 
> Harry and Hermione only knew Snape to be allied with Voldemort. 
Harry 
> saw Snape kill Dumbledore, knew Snape betrayed his parents to 
> Voldemort, and since day one at Hogwarts treated Harry and non 
> slytherin students with uttmost unfairness.
> 
> I'm amazed Harry didn't stand over Snape and tell him " I'm glad 
> you're dying,it's about time." Most people would have.
>

wynnleaf

I think Pippin's point that Harry didn't even *consider* whether or 
not to attempt to save Snape is important.  This is Harry, who's 
supposed to have a "saving people thing."  Yet it apparently never 
crossed Harry's mind to even wonder whether he should stop Voldemort 
from killing Snape, or later to even consider whether it would be 
possible to keep him alive.  

I agree that Harry was in a difficult spot regarding Snape and 
Voldemort.  At the time he was listening to the conversation, as far 
as he knew *both* Voldemort and Snape might have wished him dead, so 
saving Snape could simply have opened up both Harry and Hermione to 
attack.

On the other hand, Harry never considers this one way or another.  
Yes, Harry had seen Snape kill Dumbledore and Snape had been mean to 
him for years.  But Harry also knew that Snape had saved his life 
and the lives of others that he cared about, so it's not like Harry 
didn't realize that Snape had helped him as well as tormented him in 
the past.  Harry would have known that Snape had certainly done more 
for Harry than Draco, and Harry was willing to help Draco.

I don't think JKR means us to think that there was any true 
possibility of saving Snape, whether because of the venom or the 
blood pouring out.  But I do think it's noteworthy that no one 
*tries* to do anything, nor even considers it for a second, even to 
discard the notion.  It's that fact -- that saving Snape is so 
beneath Harry's consideration that it never even comes to mind -- 
that is tragic.

wynnleaf