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

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 178066

> 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.  

Alla:

As I said upthread, even I would have been Okay with Harry attempting 
to save Snape, just to showcast his saving people thing.

But, on the other hand, I think that him NOT to do it is so much more 
realistic.

As Julie? said, would anybody expect him to try to save Bella for 
example?

Wasn't Snape in the same position? Harry knows **nothing** yet of DD 
plan to sacrifice him, no of the plan, so why would Harry consider 
saving someone who murdered Dumbledore even if he forgets of six 
years of torment? Why would Harry consider saving somebody who as far 
as he is concerned at the end of book 6 he wants to do the opposite?


wynleaf: 
> 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.

Alla:

Isn't Snape going to DE crosses out everything that Harry knows about 
him saving lives? I mean, are you saying that Harry could seriously 
consider the possibility that Snape is NOT a DE at this point?

I do not see any difference between Saving Snape and saving Bella at 
all. IMO of course.

Yes, Harry was willing to help Draco, but I think the difference is 
that Draco himself did not do so much damage to Harry's life 
alltogether as Snape did. IMO of course.



wynnleaf:

> 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.

Alla:

I think it is realistic, IMO. I never expected Harry to do something 
for the person who hurt him so many times.

But I also never expected Harry to respect Snape the teacher after 
what Snape the teacher did on his first lesson. So, nothing new for 
me really.

Not saying that you are arguing this, but this whole argument 
certainly reminds me of how Harry should take responsibility for 
Snape's hatred of him.

Not in my mind.

JMO,

Alla, who was laughing when she read that JKR wants to slap Snape 
hard.