Chapter Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban Ch 18: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Pron

[jules]

No: HPFGUIDX 190494

> Alla:
> 
> I am not talking about what Snape deserved or did not deserve in Sirius' mind though, I am talking about the fact that Snape went there entirely voluntarily, this is what I am blaming Snape for and refuse to put this part on Sirius' shoulders, thats all. Or to use your words I disagree with "setting a trap" part of what you are describing. Sirius told him how to get there, add to it the argument based on book seven's Snape conversation with Lily that Snape possibly knew who was there and as far as I am concerned Sirius was not setting up anything, he was giving Snape an information which Snape was seeking. Snape was so eager to go there and while this is not a fact, again based on his conversation with Lily, I am quite convinced he knew. Who knows maybe he wanted to be a hero and take the werewolf down (speculation but based on how I see canon Snape). oops.


Julie:
I think one person makes it pretty clear that Sirius did intend to set up Snape, and that person is James. James found out that Snape was headed for the Shrieking Shack and he could have only found out one of two ways. Either he followed Snape (unlikely as the "spying" seemed to be the other way 'round) or Sirius told him (alluded to in the books). Which means Sirius told Snape about the Shack (whether that included goading or not) *knowing* that Snape would go there.

I suspect Sirius intended to scare the bejeesus out of Snape ("Ha ha, James, wait till Snivellus gets a look at what's waiting for him! He won't be spying on us again soon once he pisses his pants all the way back to the dungeons!"), but it seems apparent that he didn't much care if worse happened. I can only assume James would have said something before he ran off to the Shack to save Snape (and Lupin), along the lines of "What have you done, Sirius? Mooney will KILL Snape!" and yet Sirius didn't go with James (or instead of James). I can only assume Sirius figured if Snape had died then he deserved what he got for being so nosy, as Sirius did imply again some 20 years later in POA. 

Snape was stupid to walk into a situation he knew so little about, and when what little information he had came from an enemy no less. Stupid, and arrogant and no doubt blinded by his desire to find evidence that would take down the Mauraders. But Sirius clearly was deliberately setting up his enemy to take a fall, and Lupin as well, though probably with lack of forethought of the ultimate consequences for both.

Also, despite Dumbledore's ability to keep Snape silent about Lupin's true nature (easy enough with a mere threat of expulsion--Lupin goes then Snape also goes), I can't see that Snape went to the Shrieking Shack to kill Lupin. Snape even as a teenager is smart and a voracious researcher, so if he went there to kill a werewolf he certainly would have taken something with him to do the job, and would have been prepared to protect himself at all costs. He would never have been caught so flat-footed, only surviving by the quick actions of his most erstwhile enemy, James Potter. Makes no sense at all, IMO. 

Julie