Ron's Return

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 180879

->Carol, wishing that Snape had stayed around to witness the
destruction of the Horcrux and wondering what would have happened if
he'd had to rescue Harry because Ron didn't show up
> 
> 
> Potioncat:
> I thought he knew Ron was there and that was the need and valor
part--that Snape set it up for Ron, not for Harry. Well, for Harry and
Ron.
>
Carol responds:

well, yes and no. I think his original plan was to set it up for
Harry. He probably didn't know about Ron's defection, and he
definitely didn't know about the Horcrux. But when he saw Ron and
Harry separated, he altered the plan. He still hid the Sword in the
icy pool and led Harry there with the doe Patronus, but he also led
Ron to Harry, who at that point had shown valor (and stupidity in not
taking off the Horcrux), but it was up to Ron to show valor (and
chivalry) in response to Harry's need. Snape seems to have stayed to
make sure that Ron rescued Harry and the Sword, but Disapparated
before they could spot him, which also meant that he didn't get to
witness the destruction of the Horcrux.

So Snape's plan worked out beautifully--better than he can have
originally intended before he brought Ron into it. However, had Ron
not shown up to rescue Harry, Snape would have had to rescue Harry
himself since Harry couldn't retrieve the Sword alone thanks to the
strangling Horcrux. Imagine that scene--Snape not only has to reveal
himself and his loyalties by rescuing Harry, he also finds out about,
and perhaps helps to destroy, the Horcrux. Snape in the forest with
the Sword of Gryffindor. Yeah. I like that scenario even better than
the one we actually got (though I'd have to give up Ron's heroism to
get Snape's, and Snape proved his immense courage even without that
spectacular bit of valor).

Carol, who thinks that Snape put two and two together to improve his
original plan, with both Harry and Ron as beneficiaries