Dumbledore and Snape that night WAS: Re: GoF CH 27-29 Post DH look

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 182298

> Alla:
> 
> I am not questioning the sincerity of Dumbledore's disgust here, I 
> totally believe it was sincere all right.
> 
> What I am question is the sincerity of Dumbledore requesting Snape 
> giving him something in return for saving Lily. Do you think it was 
> sincere as well?
>

Montavilla47:

Since Dumbledore got Snape to become his valuable spy and guard
dog, I would say that, yes, Dumbledore was sincere in demanding
that Snape pay for Dumbledore's protection of Lily.

Would Dumbledore have failed to protect the Potters to the best
of his ability (assuming that he actually did) if Snape had refused
the bargain?  Probably not.  It was in his interest to protect the 
Potters already.  Either they or the Longbottoms were the likeliest
family to produce the One Who Might Vanquish the Dark Lord.

But, certainly, if he could convince Snape that Lily's protection 
depended on Snape's "payment," then he was going to do that.

Dumbledore drives a very hard bargain.  He doesn't present Snape
with a choice.  He doesn't present him with a chance to redeem
his mistake.  He demands payment upfront for something that
costs him nothing more than it would have otherwise.  

Perhaps he thought that that was the only language a Death Eater 
like Snape would understand.