Just finished it, and, although it's slicker than some of the others, HBP is a bloated beast.
Don't really have much to add other than, of course Snape's not a baddie.
Let's look at this again, shall we?
But somebody else had spoken Snape's name, quite softly.
"Severus..."
...Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore [time for a little occlumency, maybe? A chance to learn Dumbledore's wishes?], there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face
Dumbledore is asking Snape to kill him. He's dying; he's in agony; he's done all he can for Harry; and if Snape doesn't do it then, not only will Draco and his family suffer, Snape will die. Snape's look of hatred and revulsion isn't directed at Dumbledore, it's directed at the act he is about to commit - it's directed at the evil Voldemort has wrought.
And, on the subject of Malfoy and his family, doesn't Snape taking the Unbreakable Vow pretty much ensure his goodness? We find out in HBP that Snape's actions led to the death fof Harry's parents, could it be that Snape can't stand by and watch another family be destroyed by Voldemort's evil? And, even if that isn't the case, surely putting your life on the line for someone else - even if that someone is a little shit - is the act of a goodie?
And, on the subject of Unbreakable Vows, could it be that Dumbledore's iron-clad reason for trusting Snape has something to do with another Unbreakable Vow. Hey, I ain't convinced, but I think it's plausible.
Oh yeah, later, when Snape is screaming "DON'T CALL ME COWARD", perhaps he isn't simply demonstratng what a fragile ego he has, perhaps he's tacitly referring (although Harry can't know it) to the incredibly brave act he has just had to commit - killing Dumbledore.
I could go on and on, but others have made many of the points I'm inclined to make, and, frankly, I can't imagine why anyone would disagree. So there. |
