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Severus Snape v. The Ministry of Magic

by J.K. Rich

After reading Book Six in the Harry Potter saga, millions of Harry Potter fans were devastated to learn that after it all�after all the warnings and signs�Severus Snape is, in fact, evil. And, even more devastating�he had killed Professor Dumbledore right in front of The Boy That Lived. Or did he?

> Read the full article

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Reader Comments: (Page 11)

ginny was posessed by voldemort when she opened the chamber of secrets. voldemort used the diary to do it. for another thing, snape is good, you are right about that, but the fact of the matter is dumbledore is . but his spirit and genius in the the picture.

Posted by lorraine from dayton ohio on May 15, 2007 10:26 AM

Okay, so here's a wild thought.

We know that the night James and Lily were ed, there is a span of time that we aren't sure where Harry was. There is also the question of WHY does Dumbledore trust Snape? What IF...Snape is the one who took care of Harry during that time, and delivered him to Dumbledore for protection? If he and Lily used to be friends then it seems it would be possible for him to feel some compassion towards the baby, and knowing that Voldemort just ed Lily was ready to turn his back on Voldemort. Just a thought...I think maybe the way Dumbledore offered protection to Malfoy might compare to what he did for Snape.

Posted by Amy from P. Kentucky on May 15, 2007 7:20 PM

But as we have seen in in snapes worst memory, they weren't friends. He thought she was a filty little mudblood.

Posted by Claudia on May 16, 2007 01:18 AM

While I think that the article is extremely well written, it is also troubling as well. The reason that Rowling has been so adamant in telling her readers that is forever was to prepare fans for Dumbledore's eventual demise. Even Sirius' , not just for Harry, but for the readers, is an attempt acclimate the fans that is going to happen and when it does it be real. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that Dumbledore is still alive, therefore there's almost no way to discuss it without inventing wild conspiracy theories that attempt to psycho-analyze the artist and not the art, which is what this article has done.

On the Snape being good note; I understand why people seem to think this is true, I understand that some of the evidence is interesting maybe even compelling, I even understand that most Snape apologists aren't really even arguing on behalf of Snape's innocence, they are arguing on behalf of Dumbledore being right, what I never could understand is why Snape took that UV. I've heard every theory out there and none of them comes close to explaining why a good Snape does this. Every reason that can be given as to why Snape would take the vow, in regards to him being good, would be true if Snape hadn't taken the vow. There's only one thing that the Vow actually does from a practical standpoint, it forces Dumbledore to let Malfoy's actions go unchecked. If Dumbledore knew it was Malfoy that was responsible for the attacks on Katie and Ron, then Dumbledore was obligated to remove Malfoy immediately, unless he knew that to do so would mean the life of Malfoy, Snape and by proxy, Harry, and by further proxy, the entire wizarding world. It's my supposition that Snape made the vow to lock Dumbledore into a certain set of rigid actions that ultimately culminated in Dumbledore's .

Posted by Poe on May 16, 2007 07:30 AM

omg you are so right AMY i think snape gave the baby to hagrid to give to dumbledore to give to the dursleys for protection. there is an enchantment on the house untill harry turnes seventeen. snape is good once i read this site i believed that. i still think dumbledore's picture be a big help in DH. Oh and i think that aberforth play a big part as well.

Posted by lorraine from dayton ohio on May 16, 2007 10:20 AM

I don't think it is possible that Snape took care of Harry during the aftermath. Hagrid clearly states that he (Hagrid) rescued Harry from the ruins of Godric's Hollow.

Posted by Kim from Manchester on May 16, 2007 1:48 PM

Amy from P.Kentucky - It is a possibility that Severus took Harry for a time after Voldemort attacked, but there are certain things that we know about the situation that seem not to fit with the rest of your theory. First, we know that Hagrid was the one who removed Harry from the wreckage and delivered him to Albus; we see this in the very first scene of Philosopher's Stone. Second, Severus turned to Dumbledore's side BEFORE Voldemort attacked; Albus says so in the Pensive trial of Igor Karkaroff. I'm not saying that Severus wasn't there protecting Harry, but it was not Severus to deliver him, nor was Vodemort having just ed Lily his reason for turning (regardless of whether or not he loves her).

Posted by Monkeeshrines from Orlando Fl on May 16, 2007 4:37 PM

I just read the article for the 3rd time and I was shocked by my own idea. What if Dumbledore had to for a great plan?
J.K. Rich said:

"[...]I cannot see that Dumbledore would permit his actual permanent , unless he was convinced that his actual permanent was absolutely necessary to pull off his own plan. The only problem with this is that Dumbledore's actual permanent would have done nothing to further any plan Dumbledore could have spawned."

So I thought, why would Dumbledore accept his own ? The only reason I could think of is that Dumbledore is, in fact, a Horcrux.

I know this sounds real silly and I don't like the idea either, but it's the only thing I can think of.

Posted by Jesper Wegen from Ede, The Netherlands on May 17, 2007 05:35 AM

But there is a time gap...So who was with Harry at the house? Was it Snape? Did Snape deliver Harry to Hagrid, or keep Harry safe until Hagrid arrived, who in turn took him to Dumbledore?

Posted by Amy from P. Kentucky on May 17, 2007 09:43 AM

Claudia,

The fact that it was Snape�s worst memory is the clue.

Have you ever been so angry or embarrassed that you shout to or insult a friend or family member who is just trying to help you?

I believe it was Severus� worst memory not because he had being humiliated, but because he had been humiliated in front of Lily, and when she tried to intervene he reacted in a way that he regretted afterwards, because this is what caused their "friendship" to end, thus his chances of ever being with her also came to an end.

Sometimes, when we are angry, we say things that we regret afterwards.

Posted by Emilio from Mexico City, Mexico on May 17, 2007 09:46 AM

Emilio! 100% perfect reading and explination of why it is 'Snape's Worst Memory"... (needless to say I agree)

Posted by Charlie Tarbox from Gettysburg, Pa on May 17, 2007 2:13 PM

I agree with most of his ideas but also have to agree with Emilio and the first comments. But i think one thing is being forgotten here, the unbreakable vow, it had to be snape that ed Dumbledore, Snape made that vow.

I also think the author of this article is underestimating Snapes power as a wizard. The ing curse would be no problem for him. Think about it, he is the only one to ever fool the dark lord, and he is still doing it and this act just make the dark lord love him and put him above suspicion.

I believe the fact that Snape is good is pretty obvious and that everything that takes place up on the tower and that his remarks to Harry as he chases him are crucial to understanding this.

I just want to jump back and say once again that Dumbledore is , he has to be, the unbreakable vow. Snape obviously told Dumbledore about it and this is his plan. This is the only way that Snape can continue to fool the dark lord and dumbledore knows that at this stage it is more important to have a man inside who can pass on crucial inside information.

Finally one last comment i have is about the ghost, theory. That isn't going to happen but Dumbledore still be a character. The picture in the head masters office, we already know its there. And also we can not forget the pensive with all his memories. Those two things are going to come into play at least some and help Harry on his Quest to end this once and for all.

Posted by sean from Thunder Bay ontario Canada on May 17, 2007 3:33 PM

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