[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by DisneyFan25863

Spoiler:

So, I believe, Dumbledore intentionally asked Snape to kill him. He knew he was going to die, thats why he gave Harry the order to leave him behind to save himself if he had to. Dumbledore wasn't pleading for his life, he was pleading to Snape to kill him. Thats why Snape didn't just kill Harry on the lawn. Thats why Snape didn't take out Hermione and Ginny and Flitwick when he had the chance.

In addition, I believe that Snape ensured Harry's position as an Auror. By making sure Harry had his copy of the potions textbook, and by leaving the post of Potions, he made sure Harry would pass his N.E.W.T.S, allowing him to become an Auror.

It's all staged, IMHO.

Spoiler:

This is, as I've stated, my hope. And you rationalize it very, very well! So you're keeping my hope alive! heh. When Harry noted the fear and concern in his plea, alarm bells rang off. When Dumbledore drank the potion in the Cave it seemed as though he drank his biggest fears, which - from the peppered dialogue - sounded like students being killed. And he was begging the murderer to take his (Dumbledore's) life and not theirs. Which made me think he was begging Snape to ensure Draco's (and the students') safety, and not his own. So in the Cave he cried out "KILL ME", and I suspect he said much the same to Snape using Legill...oh, that counterpart to Occlumency...)

I was also interested in how Snape did not attack Harry. They were alone and only within earshot of Death Eaters, and Snape essentially slapped Harry across the face when Harry called Snape a coward, but that was it. (And if Snape is good, despite all the bad he's done in his past, being called a "coward" probably would muster an angry response out of him. Most likely he knew what a coward he was to join Voldemort in the first place. If he's also, like Harry, still Dumbledore's man, that insult would burn. And enrage.)

But, going back to their fight, he simply flicks away Harry's curses with a deft move of his wrist. He does not, however, countercurse Harry. Sure, the Dark Lord wants Harry for himself, but the Dark Lord fears Death above all things, so surely he wouldn't mind if Severus left him paralyzed or essentially incapable of fighting back when Voldemort attacks. It seemed that Snape was stil protecting Harry. And even instructing him when he once again reminded Potter that he'd be incacapable of launching a real attack if he's still speaking the curses allowed. If Snape can defend himself against Harry Potter, just think what Voldemort could do. And Snape usually seems right in his assertions that Harry is not an exceptional wizard or student; he's mostly powerful because of what the Dark Lord did (and lost) when he attacked Harry as a baby. That's part of why Snape is resentful and petty. He always sought to be powerful, but was mostly just hugely intelligent and clever. Then there's Harry who is kind of an average to exceptional student, but extremely powerful. It's kinda like Mozart and Mozart's rival (who's name begins with an S, but I'm forgetting the spelling).

Snape will always hate Harry, but I suspect he's working to help him all the same. Suspect. Hope. Again. Or Snape's just EVIL! Heh.

Anyway, yeah, I think Snape could have done a lot more damage to Harry, Flitwick, Hermione, etc. I think you're totally right. There is a good chance that his killing curse was simply following Albus' instructions, and if that's the case, I cannot imagine how difficult a thing that would have been for Snape. I mean, to kill the one person in the entire world who trusts and cares about you?

And, if it was Snape's desire all along? Man, to kill the one person in the entire world who trusts and cares about you? Holy crap, dude.