The Plot Thickens Discussion ~ View topic

Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 5

How about a little change of pace? Whos' tired of arguing about Snape's Loyalties? Was he, or was he not acting under Dumbledore's orders?

Too bad!

Much discussion has been had over the scene on the astronomy tower. And much weight has been given to the words of Dumbledore before his apparent death, and the tone of said words. The debates give credence to both sides of the argument, but I would like to look at them from the angle of timing.

Fresh off my re-read of HBP, something curious came to my attention as I read the 'Lightning Struck Tower'.

Dumbledore and Draco are on the tower. Harry is invisible and frozen in place. They are soon joined by the ranks of the Deatheaters. But when Professor Snape enters the scene, obviously things go wrong. Or do they?

Dumbledore's voice when calling Severus, is pleading. It has been assumed by many that Dumbledore was pleading for his life. But the timing of Dumbledores words contradict that I think.

I you would recall, when Snape bursts onto the scene of the tower, he is immediatly confronted by the Deatheater known as Amycus. The Deatheater begins to tell Snape of the problem Malfoy was having with murder, when he is interupted by Dumbledore calling Snapes name.

I believe the timing of Dumbledores words is extremely important in deciphering the former professors actions on that night.

When Dumbledore interupts Amycus with his pleads to Severus, Snape has not yet made any move that would solidify an allegiance to anyone on the tower. He had just walked onto the scene there and is being spoken to. He has taken no action.

And we must remember, for it has been pounded into our heads for years, that Dumbledore trusts Snape to the core. No questions!

If Dumbledor trusts Snape completely, what would Dumbledore have expected Snape to do upon his arrival on the tower? Leap to his side and save him from the Deatheaters? Snape hadn't done anything to that point, so how do we know he wasn't going to do exactly that?

With no action to that point which would indicate Snapes intent to murder Dumbledore, Dumbledore would have no reason to plead for his life.
Therefore I can only conclude that he was pleading for Snape to do something.

If Dumbledore was pleading for his life, I find it highly uncharacteristic. With the amount of time that has been spent, reinforcing the idea of Dumbledores trust for Snape, I find it unlikely for Dumbledore at the very last second, to change his mind, admit his wrong, and beg for his life. Not my Dumbledore!

When Dumbledore interupted Amycus, he effectivle took away Snapes choice to make a decision. It was essentially a directive to Snape to not give up his position as a spy.

Why would Dumbledore want Snape to kill him? I think you've probably all read those arguments a million times, so I won't go into that. This is getting long enough already. Is anyone even listening? The last post on this topic was ages ago so I hope I'm not wasting my figurative breath.(although I am speaking out loud to myself right now!)

So what do you think people? I believe that the timing of Dumbledore's words on the tower that night is very important to discovering the true nature of those events. What about you?