Snape's Psychology: WAS: More thoughts on the Elder Wand subplot - Owner?

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 187551

Montavilla47:
Yes, I agree. That would have been truly remarkable.
And suicidal, if he had asked Voldemort! And, pretty
stupid, since it's like telling Bush that Osama Bin Laden
is determined to strike within the U.S., while simultaneously
begging him to let Bin Laden go on his merry way.

Obviously, of course, Harry wasn't Bin Laden. He was,
as you say, an innocent baby. But, if you knew for certain
that he was going to kill your leader when he grew up,
would you be begging the leader to let him do just that? <SNIP>


Alla:

Yes, Harry is not Bin Laden, we agree on that.

Actually, I blame Snape for not asking Dumbledore to save Potters (yes, I think he was perfectly clear when he talked to Dumbledore), I am not particularly blaming him for not asking Voldemort. But now when you brought it up, I think I have the same answer pretty much, if Snape still considered himself a member of the gang of terrorists, no I would not expect him to ask his leader for his enemy's lives, but if he is not?

Yes, I do expect him to do that, especially since he decided to ask for one person already. I totally agree though that it will be a suicidal gesture, but Snape not asking Dumbledore I find pretty damning and inexcusable in a very real and doable way. Him asking Voldemort? Well, as a symbol of real remorse that would work for me that he truly understood what his leader is all about, etc.

Montavilla:
<HUGE SNIP of the timeline, go upthread to read it>
I realize this timeline may not be pleasing, as it mitigates
Snape's sin in not asking Voldemort to spare James and
Harry, since Harry didn't exist at the time of the asking--
but I think it makes a lot more sense logically, since it
makes both Snape and Voldemort appear a bit less idiotic
in what they ask for and what they grant.

Alla:

Yes, it makes Snape look more logical  and less idiotic I agree with that. I also think that it makes him less cruel. 
As to Voldemort, I would think him acting logical does not happen almost ever in canon, so I do not see why he would have acted logically on that occasion. I mean, I  am still trying to figure out how logical it was to give Harry his wand back in GoF or how very logical it was to hide his most precious Horcruxes in the objects related to founders, etc. Because these objects were so noticeable, why not hide Horcruxes in something less ordinary?

But I do understand the timeline and the reasoning behind it at least. 


JMO,

Alla