Snape had to kill Dumbledore. Draco wouldn't, and much worse would have happened if Snape hadn't kept the Unbreakable Vow. If Snape hadn't finished what Draco couldn't accomplish, then Snape would have died, Draco (and probably his whole family) would have been killed by Voldemort, and the other Death Eaters up in the tower would have killed Dumbledore, anyway.
Although I'm devastated by Dumbledore's death, I do think that Snape might still be working more against Voldemort than with him. Remember at the beginning when Snape told Bellatrix and Narcissa that Dumbledore hurt his hand because his reflexes were too slow ... yet Dumbledore could have sustained much worse injuries considering the danger of destroying the Horcrux and it's quite possible his reflexes (and Snape's convenient arrival) are all that saved him. Also keep in mind Dumbledore's comment that Voldemort only pretends to keep individuals close to him, as friends. Bella thought she was his most trusted servant, but Snape clearly played off the same theme (without allowing jealousy or pride to surface) when telling her that he knew of Voldemort's plan because he was a most trusted adviser. I do think that Snape was taking advantage of Bella's lack of knowledge about Voldemort's true M.O.
Also, I think Snape was lying at the beginning: I don't think Voldemort had told him anything about Draco's assignment to kill Dumbledore. He probably suspected, but I think (or maybe just hope) that he was bluffing. I still think we're going to find out why Dumbledore trusted Snape so completely, which will hopefully mean that we meet up with Snape plenty more before Book 7 ends.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2005-07-18 01:34 am (UTC)Although I'm devastated by Dumbledore's death, I do think that Snape might still be working more against Voldemort than with him. Remember at the beginning when Snape told Bellatrix and Narcissa that Dumbledore hurt his hand because his reflexes were too slow ... yet Dumbledore could have sustained much worse injuries considering the danger of destroying the Horcrux and it's quite possible his reflexes (and Snape's convenient arrival) are all that saved him. Also keep in mind Dumbledore's comment that Voldemort only pretends to keep individuals close to him, as friends. Bella thought she was his most trusted servant, but Snape clearly played off the same theme (without allowing jealousy or pride to surface) when telling her that he knew of Voldemort's plan because he was a most trusted adviser. I do think that Snape was taking advantage of Bella's lack of knowledge about Voldemort's true M.O.
Also, I think Snape was lying at the beginning: I don't think Voldemort had told him anything about Draco's assignment to kill Dumbledore. He probably suspected, but I think (or maybe just hope) that he was bluffing. I still think we're going to find out why Dumbledore trusted Snape so completely, which will hopefully mean that we meet up with Snape plenty more before Book 7 ends.