GoF CH 27-29 Post DH look/ Snape and Harry redux

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 182217

 
> Alla:
> 
> Yeah, LOL, subsequent saving of one Severus Snape versus happy 
> childhood for Harry is really no brainer for me.

Potioncat:
But that's not what I meant. I was just looking at all the effects of 
Snapes's not telling. Of course, I wish he'd never joined the DEs in 
the first place. I wish he hadn't told LV. 

>ALLA: 
> And yes, of course DE would tell, so, two choices I can see, 
killing 
> Snape right here on the spot, yes, yes I know Dumbledore is too 
> **noble** for that, LOL, or at least obliviating him and making 
sure 
> that even alive he would never tell.

Potioncat:
I've never understood why DD let Snape go. Even if he didn't know 
Snape was a DE, I don't understand it. The only explanation I can 
think of, is that DD wanted LV to hear the first part of the 
prophecy. (I'm beginning to wonder if DD did a bit of Oblivating. It 
might explain the different versions we've seen of the event in the 
Hogshead that night.)

Why DD let Snape go has been a subject often discussed--now I have a 
post DH question. With DD being so powerful, and the master of the 
Elder Wand. Why the heck didn't he take LV out himself?

> 
> Alla:> 
> There are casualties of course, but Lily and James already 
> successfully defied Voldemort three times, so they are defying him 
> again – once or twice and survive with Harry living with them and 
> being just Harry.

Potioncat:
OK, the attack that October doesn't happen. The war rages for however 
long, but the Potters all survive and go on to live happy lives. Baby 
Harry lives through a war, but they live to tell the tale.

I like it. But I think it takes more than "just" Snape not telling. 
It takes the Potters winning all their battles. And, who won't win in 
the meantime? 

> Alla:
> The prophecy is spoken, yes, but as we know there are many 
prophecies 
> kept in the Hall of prophecies in MoM and NOT all of them come true,
> so this one never does come true.

Potioncat:
Well, that's part of my question. How much power/validity do we give 
the prophecy? I think it's too much of a leap to say "This prophecy 
doesn't come true." BTW, do we know the others didn't come true?

But I think it's very interesting that both you and Carol think the 
prophecy wouldn't work out at all if Snape didn't tell.

I think the very fact that DD heard it, put things into motion. For 
example, if DD Obliviates Snape LV never hears any part of it. But, 
DD believes it. Knows the One with the Power will be born in July, 
takes action to protect the one or two boys and watches. The prophecy 
didn't say something would happen while the Chosen One was still a 
baby.

In the meantime, no connection to the prophecy, Order members are 
being picked off. Snape finds out that Lily and James have been 
targeted and asks for Lily's life. He also goes to DD. DD puts what 
he knows about the prophecy together with the plans for the Potters. 
Lily of course protects Harry and we still get the VaporMort and the 
Boy Who Lived---maybe Christmas Eve or something. Maybe it's still 
Halloween, just not because LV knew part of the prophecy. The effects 
would be the same. And we still get redeemed Snape. OK, this one is 
going better.

Because at some point, Snape would have to find out that Lily was in 
danger. He would take action at that point to save her. There might 
not be the added guilt of having started the process---or it might be 
something he still caused. (Let's say he's in charge of locating 
Order members?)


>Alla: 
> Parseltongue ability is rare, but not non existent, no? So somebody 
> else would have assisted in doing it. Who? Again, I do not know and 
> do not think it matters. Because I do not believe we know that 
nobody 
> else can speak that. The last known person was Voldie, but who is 
to 
> say that he was the only one?

Potioncat:
Has JKR said something? I was sure DD spoke Parseltongue