Welcome to the "Official" Prosecution Page!
Greetings, my fellow prosecutors! Welcome to the (mostly) organized version of all the fabulous evidence we've all managed to gather in the past 10 days or so. There are links all over the place to various sections of this document, so explore at will and bring errors to my attention ASAP, if you would, please. You'll also notice a bit of color-coding going on - evidence in red is the strongest, in blue of medium weight, and yellow the weakest (in progress - if you disagree, let me know!). Have fun!
A List of Exterior Links
Official List of Charges
Greetings, my fellow prosecutors! Welcome to the (mostly) organized version of all the fabulous evidence we've all managed to gather in the past 10 days or so. There are links all over the place to various sections of this document, so explore at will and bring errors to my attention ASAP, if you would, please. You'll also notice a bit of color-coding going on - evidence in red is the strongest, in blue of medium weight, and yellow the weakest (in progress - if you disagree, let me know!). Have fun!
A List of Exterior Links
Official List of Charges
1 Count of the use of an Unforgivable Curse
note: The jury must decide if Snape used this curse with malicious intent to kill, or to simply keep his cover on being a death eater. If you are in any doubt of the intent, then you must cast a vote of not guilty.
1 count of Murder. Victim: Albus Dumbledore
note: Unless a unanimous vote is cast, then the accused cannot be convicted of this crime. The accused is charged with premeditated murder. The jury has to decide if the accused was working of his own accord, or under the victim's previous instruction. Deciding this factor will determine whether he can be found guilty or not.
1 Count of voluntary manslaughter. Victim: Albus Dumbledore.
note: If accused is found innocent of murder, then a vote may be taken as regards the alternative charge of manslaughter. A majority of votes will be enough to judge the accused guilty as charged.
1 Count of conspiracy to murder.
note: This is for the murders of James and Lily Potter, and the attempted murder of Harry Potter. The jury must decide if it was due to the information that the accused allegedly passed to Lord Voldemort that this heinous crime was committed, or if it would have happened regardless of the passed information.
1 count of Treason
note: This links to the murder and manslaughter charges. If the jury finds the accused guilty of either, then they must also decide if he was guilty of betraying Dumbledore. This would be classed as treason to the Order of the Phoenix.
2 counts of Espionage.
a) For feeding information to Lord Voldemort of the whereabouts of Emmeline Vance, which led to her capture and murder. (Half Blood Prince, chapter 2 )
b) Non-specific acts of espionage. e.g. Was Snape passing information to Lord Voldemort all the time? If so, then he was committing the crime of espionage by betraying the Order Of The Phoenix. note: There doesn't have to be specific accounts of separate incidents, it just has to be proved that Snape was consistently passing secret information to Voldemort.
Table of Contents
The People vs. Severus Snape
Prosecution
Prosecution
I. Use of an Unforgivable Curse (Avada Kedavra)
1. IntentII. Murder/Manslaughter (Victim: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore)
2. Other AK results
3. General information
1. Hatred ofIII. Conspiracy to Commit Murder (Victims: James & Lily Potter)
2. Circumstances of
3. Counters to Defense arguments
1. Overhearing of prophecyIV. Treason (against A.P.W.B. Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix)
2. Communication to Voldemort
3. The Pettigrew Factor
1. Serving as double agentV. Espionage (resulting in the death of Emmeline Vance)
2. Transfer of vital information to Voldemort/Death Eaters
1. Admission ofVI. Character assassination
2. Other evidence for
Table of Contents
1. Intent to Kill/Hatred of Victim
Aragog69:
From PoA: This dispute between Dumbledore and Snape adds to what we could use for intent to kill.
Snape: “It seems -- almost impossible -- that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express concerns when you appointed-“
Dumbledore: “I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it,” said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didn’t reply. “I must go down to the dementors,” said Dumbledore. “I said I would inform them when our search was complete.”
Percy: “Didn’t they want to help, sir?” said Percy.
Dumbledore: “Oh yes,” said Dumbledore coldly. “But I’m afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of the castle while I am headmaster.”
Percy looked slightly abashed. Dumbledore left the hall walking, quickly and quietly. Snape stood for a moment, watching the headmaster with an expression of deep resentment on his face; then he too left.
Fudge: “He must have disapparated, Severus. We should have left somebody in the room with him. When this gets out –“
Snape: “He didn’t disapparate! Snape roared, now very close at hand. You can’t apparate or disapparate inside this castle! This- has – something – to – do – with – Potter!”
Dumbledore: “Severus – be reasonable – Harry has been locked up-“
BAM.
The door of the hospital wing burst open.
Fudge, Snape, and Dumbledore came striding into the ward. Dumbledore alone looked calm. Indeed he looked as though he was quite enjoying himself. Fudge appeared angry. But Snape was beside himself.
Snivellus Snake: “OUT WITH IT POTTER,” he bellowed. WHAT DID YOU DO?”
MP: “Professor Snape!” shrieked Madam Pomfrey. “Control yourself!”
Fudge: “See here Snape be reasonable,” said Fudge. “This door’s been locked, we just saw-“
Sectum Sempra: “THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT” Snape howled, pointing at Ron and Hermione. His face was twisted; spit was flying from his mouth.
Fudge: “Calm down, man!” Fudge barked. “You’re talking nonsense!”
Soggy Sandwich: “YOU DON’T KNOW POTTER!” shrieked Snape. “HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT-“
Dumbledore: That will do, Severus” said Dumbledore quietly. “Think about what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, have these students left their beds?”
These are the two biggest feuds between Dumbledore and Snape in books 1-3. Use them as you will.
It has been argued that Dumbledore was pleading for mercy, or for death. But let’s look at it again. Dumbledore clearly trusted Snape up until the last moment. He wasn’t at all surprised to find Draco, because Snape, whom he trusted, had already tipped him off. It finally dawned on him during that last sickening moment that he had been wrong all along, and it was too late. His final plea to Snape was not about saving OR sparing his life. It was about his loyalties. In that last second of silent communication between their minds, he was pleading for Snape to help fight the Death Eaters and not to betray the Order.
But instead, Snape used Avada Kedavra. Can there be any more solid evidence for his treachery than this? Avada Kedavra is NOT a mercy killing spell. It is murder, and the mother of all Unforgivables. It’s the same curse Voldemort used to kill James and Lily, and with which he tried to kill Harry. We know it requires intense, focused hatred towards another individual. The look of hatred in Snape’s eyes was not self-hatred. It was not hatred of the situation he had wound up in. He hated Dumbledore, hence Avada Kedavra. But why did he spare Harry? It wasn’t to protect him. What protection is left after Dumbledore dies? It must be because he knew Voldemort was biding his time, and wants to deal with Harry at his own leisure.
Do you need more evidence? What about Snape’s general mannerisms, particularly his behavior towards Harry? Dumbledore never knew just how abusive Snape was to Harry when nobody else was around, because Harry didn’t feel the need to burden him with every little thing. He found other ways to deal with it. Any character who is truly loyal to Dumbledore and the Order would not be so unbelievably sadistic towards Harry, taking out his bitterness against James on Harry, or gloating over his or Sirius’ deaths at every possible opportunity. Or, for that matter, going against Dumbledore’s orders and discontinuing those Occlumency lessons, knowing full well their significance. I doubt Dumbledore would have trusted Snape so much if he had witnessed this kind of behavior first hand.
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2. Other AK results
Curse #1 – Voldemort kills Frank Bryce
No special hatred or malice, just expediency here. Bryce drops dead, period.Curse #2 – Imposter Moody kills a spider
It’s a spider, how badly can you hate a spider?Curse #3 – Wormtail kills Cedric Diggory
Again, expediency – “Kill the spare.”Curses A, B, and C (hearsay) – Voldemort kills his father and grandparents
Not a mark on any of the bodies.Curses D and E – Voldemort kills James & Lily Potter
We never saw their bodies – if anyone did, it was Hagrid.Okay, so when there’s no extraordinary hatred of the caster toward the victim, they drop dead, period. No frills, just BAM! Gone.
However – this is akin to Muggle murderers who kill and run, leaving the aftermath to be dealt with by others. When there’s a relationship between killer and victim, however, there’s frequently a greater display of violence on the bodies, up to and including mutilation and/or dismemberment. Therefore, curses we’ve seen aimed at a target of hatred have had more power behind them – after all, if you have to “mean” the curse to make it work, the more you mean it, the more it works. Therefore:
In the battle at the MoM, Voldemort aimed three Killing Curses at Dumbledore (whom he despises). The results:
Curse #4 – Voldemort misses Dumbledore and hits the guard’s desk
Desk bursts into flame.Curse #5 – Voldemort misses Dumbledore and hits the centaur
Statue shatters into a hundred pieces.Curse #6 – Voldemort misses Dumbledore and Fawkes swallows the curse
Fawkes is instantly returned to “out of the ashes” state.There are more misses in the DoM battle and the Battle of Hogwarts (one of which hit “Gibbons”, whoever he was). Those should suffice, however, to make the point that it was Snape’s deep and powerful hatred for Dumbledore that caused the “up and over” result.
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3. General Information
APWBD: Remember the description of the Potter’s house being in ruins when Hagrid got there? That was because an AK was cast by Voldemort; now, surely a powerful wizard if he puts enough ‘force’ into a spell gets a bit of backlash? This is what caused Dumbledore to fall over the roof and what caused the Potter’s house to be demolished; it is also shown in the scene where Dumbledore blasts down fake Moody’s door.
JKR never said what kind of curse or whatever Voldemort used to open/blast the door (Godric’s Hollow). At least, I don’t remember reading anything like that. All I remember from the screams of Harry’s parents was that there was a blast, some sort of scuffle (James trying to stop Voldemort), then the pleading. No one knows how the house got blown apart except Voldemort or Rowling.
But there may be something about this powerful-wizard idea, because Dumbledore just used "stupefy" and the door was blasted into smithereens.
Dumbledore might have wanted Snape that night because he is in the Order and he is also a potions master. He might not have had a choice. Like Harry said, not all of the teachers are in the Order (just McGonagall and Snape). Slughorn, even though he is also a potions master, might not have wanted to get into the war by helping Dumbledore. (He does like his comforts, after all.) To actually help Dumbledore is to side with him and against Voldemort.
The fact that we’ve never been told how long a spell lasts when its caster dies is a problem. We are the one who have to prove it to the jurors.
Robyn:
On the subject of when Snape killed Dumbledore
Just because Dumbledore got blasted off the tower doesn’t mean that the Avada Kedavra curse wasn’t used on him. Maybe, when Snape cast the curse, he had so much hate bottled up against Dumbledore after all these years that the curse was stronger. Therefore, Dumbledore is blasted off the tower by the release of Snape’s pent-up rage.
Leanne:
In OotP, in the MoM battle, US hardcover pg. 813, “He [Voldemort] sent another killing curse at Dumbledore but missed, instead hitting the security guard’s desk, which burst into flame.” So that’s a different effect, as well as the following, from pg. 814, “Another jet of green light flew from behind the silver shield. This time it was the one-armed centaur, galloping in front of Dumbledore, that took the blast and shattered into a hundred pieces, ” So we definitely have precedent for other than the “drop dead” effect.
(also see above, I. 2.
Re: Dumbledore’s murder. This point needs to be refuted:
Pg. 595-596 Chapter 27
Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred in the harsh lines of his face.
”Severus... please...”
Snape raised his wand and pointed directly at Dumbledore.
”Avada Kedavra!”
A jet of green light shot from the end of Snape’s wand and hit Dumbledore squarely in the chest. Harry’s scream of horror never left him; silent and unmoving, he was forced to watch as Dumbledore was blasted into the air. For a split second, he seemed to hang suspended beneath the shining skull, and then he fell slowly backward, like a great rag doll, over the battlements and out of sight.
Page 608, Chapter 28
Harry heard Hagrid’s moan of pain and shock, but he did not stop; he walked slowly forward until he reached the place where Dumbledore lay and crouched down beside him. He had known there was no hope from the moment that the full Body-Bind Curse Dumbledore had place upon him lifted, known it could have happened only because its caster was dead.
If Dumbledore died from the Avada Kedavra curse, then Harry would have been able to move. But the only time that Harry moved was after Dumbledore fell from the tower. And there’s also the fact that the Avada Kedavra Curse, when used, just kills you. You don’t get blasted or anything like that. JKR is really sneaky...
Here’s a demonstration from Moody’s class, when he demonstrated what the Unforgivable Curses look like.
From GoF:
”Avada Kedavra!”
There was a flash of blinding green light and a rushing sound, as though a vast, invisible something was soaring through the air - instantaneously the spider rolled over onto its back, unmarked, but unmistakably dead.
What she described there was different.
I also have a theory as to why there was hatred on his face. Snape might have been thinking of the times when Dumbledore had wronged him (to his thinking).
- When he was still young, Dumbledore made him stay quiet about Lupin being a werewolf and the incident on how he found out
- when Snape accused of Harry helping Sirius, Dumbledore sided with Harry. Snape might have guessed how a person could be in two places at the same time but was unable to say anything because of Dumbledore
- and because Dumbledore wouldn’t let him teach his favorite subject, DADA, for 14 yrs (I think)
Leslie: The counter to that silent and unmoving argument is very simple. How long does it take for a spell to dissolve after the caster dies? I somehow don’t think it is instantaneous. On top of that, I think that Harry would also have been paralyzed with shock at what happened. It would have taken him a moment or two to even notice he was released.
I also think (in regards to Dumbledore being blasted off the tower), that the difference between that and other Avada Kedavras we’ve witnessed is the anger and hate behind the curse. The previous incidences were cold killings. Lord Voldemort didn’t harbor any particular hate for Cedric. Barty Junior (miniB) didn’t harbor any particular hate for the spider. Likewise with the old man that Voldemort killed. But Snape’s face was full of "Hatred and loathing". He hated Dumbledore, and the stronger the hate and negative feelings, the more powerful the curse. Notice that Lord Voldemort’s curses that were aimed at Dumbledore shattered statues... because Lord Voldemort hated Dumbledore.
Leanne: Absolutely! In fact, on page 597 US, it says “… Harry realized he could move again. What was now holding him paralyzed against the wall was not magic, but horror and shock.” Ta-da!
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1. Hatred of
Also see above, I. Subsection 1.
Especially the following:
Reasons for Snape to hate Dumbledore
- When he was still young, Dumbledore made him stay quiet about Lupin being a werewolf and the incident on how he found out
- When Snape accused of Harry helping Sirius, Dumbledore sided with Harry. Snape might have guessed how a person could be in two places at the same time but was unable to say anything because of Dumbledore
- And because Dumbledore wouldn’t let him teach his favorite subject, DADA, for 14 yrs (I think)
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2. Circumstances of
The following evidence relates to:
Debunking the Snape is Good Theories
I found something that could be interesting to us in the COUNT OF MURDER and the COUNT OF TREASON. It’s an editorial by Eric Mortensen.
Mortensen explains that many people consider the fact that Snape made the Unbreakable Vow is a big piece of evidence that the Defense will use to prove his innocence. Had Snape not helped out Draco by killing Dumbledore, he would have died himself. The Defense will probably point out that Dumbledore was aware of this fact and that, rather than having Snape break his vow, order Snape to kill him when the time came. Mortensen disagrees with this, and here’s why:
However, to me, the Unbreakable Vow is not evidence of Snape’s good intentions, but of his true allegiance to evil. It is far more telling to focus on the actual making of the vow than the completion of it. Consider this: Snape had the choice of whether or not to actually make the vow. Now refer to Dumbledore’s quote, which seems to be the heart of the stories:
”It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -CoS
Please note that Snape willfully made the choice to enter in to the Unbreakable Vow. He could have very easily gotten around it by sticking to the fact that it was Draco’s assignment to bring down Dumbledore, not his. Remember, Bellatrix was completely against going to see Snape because Voldemort had given the task to Draco alone. Snape could have easily played this card and not bound himself to killing. Yet he chose to commit himself to killing one of the most valuable assets of the Order of the Phoenix. This does not seem like a loyal member of the Order to me.
Surely Snape was not under orders from Dumbledore to enter into an Unbreakable Vow that would result in Dumbledore’s death. Snape did not know that the request for the vow was coming and therefore could not have talked it over with Dumbledore prior to making it. Can you imagine that conversation afterwards between Snape and Dumbledore if Snape was on the Order’s side? “Pardon me, Headmaster, but I’ve just entered in to an Unbreakable Vow that will result in your death. But I believe it for the best in the war against the Dark Lord.”
Mortensen is right. What do you think that Dumbledore would have said if Snape had asked him what he should do if he was bound to make the Unbreakable Vow?? Exactly… Snape has signed the death warrant for the most valuable wizard in the fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. And he did this ENITRELY ON HIS OWN.
Then Mortensen continues with his view that Dumbledore might have been planning his death:
Before retrieving the supposed Horcrux in the cave, Dumbledore procures Harry’s promise that he will follow Dumbledore’s orders to the letter, even possibly killing him. Many have said that this is a shadowing of what Dumbledore ordered Snape to do, but I see it as a different type of literary device: foreshadowing. Rowling does this earlier with Dumbledore when he comments that:
”Naturally I do, but as I have already proven to you, I make mistakes like the next man. In fact, being – forgive me – rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.”-HBP
More on this particular quote later. Here we see foreshadowing, that something very bad is going to happen to Dumbledore. I believe that the promise Harry makes is the same thing. When we hear those words coming from Dumbledore, a red flag should go up about a potential death.
The situation regarding Dumbledore’s command to Harry is quite unique. He tells him to maybe kill him because Dumbledore knows of the absolute importance of destroying the Horcrux. It was worth dying for. Contrast that with when he actually was killed. It was after the Horcrux had (supposedly) been obtained. The Order of the Phoenix was protecting the school. Dumbledore had an ally in Snape (or so he thought). Was anything worth dying for at that moment? No. In fact, there was far more to be living for.
Before Dumbledore went into the cave with Harry, he may have expected something like the poison (or something else that could kill him). So, he made Harry promise to obey him, by all means. Right before they arrive at Hogwarts, Dumbledore (and possibly, Harry too) believe that they are out of danger. I believe that the promise that Harry made to Dumbledore was lifted at that moment. However, how could Dumbledore have known that he was about to be betrayed by his ‘dear’ Severus?
Then, Mortensen writes something very interesting about Dumbledore’s plea to Snape (“Severus…. Please”):
The thought that came to my mind when I first read this was that Dumbledore was simply heartbroken at the sight of Snape alongside the Death Eaters. All these years, he had trusted him; he put all of his confidence in this man whom he believed reformed, only to see that he was completely wrong. If that doesn’t break a heart and elicit a quiet “please” in a defeated tone, nothing will.
The words “revulsion” and “hatred” used to describe Snape’s face are telling. Nobody else on that tower could see Snape’s face besides Dumbledore (and possibly Harry). Why else would there be “hatred” on Snape’s face if he did not truly hate the man he was about to murder? Hatred of oneself for an action does not manifest itself thus. If indeed Snape was supposed to be loathing himself, Rowling would have chosen to describe Snape’s face as “anguished” or “tormented.” Diction, though a boring part of literature classes in school, is useful in determining the true aspects of a character.
I could not agree more!!
Update on Mortensen’s editorial: Since no one has told me yet that this info has already been posted, I guess I did stumble onto something new!
This evidence can be used in the counts:
COUNT OF MURDER
COUNT OF TREASON
COUNT OF MANSLAUGHTER
In the next paragraph of his editorial, Mortensen points out how Snape’s escape could be proof for him being evil.
”Kill me like you killed him, you coward-“
”DON’T-“ screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them, “-CALL ME COWARD!”
-HBP
Snape has his pride. Being tormented by Harry’s father all his childhood, he could barely take James’ son starting it over again. It reopened a wound from his past and caused him to lash back at Harry, both verbally and physically.
He fully believed in his cause and felt that it had been accomplished through great risk and bravery. Snape took great offense in being called a coward. Warring nations often call their opponents cowards and the citizens buy into the rhetoric, regardless of who is guilty. In war, the side you fight for is always right and brave and the opponent is always wrong and is a coward. Simple as that.
It’s been argued that Snape could have used Avada Kedavra on Harry at that moment. But Snape said it himself: Harry is Voldemort’s to kill and none other’s. He would not dare betray the will of the Dark Lord to a rivalry. He let Harry live on his true master’s command.
I think we should keep this in mind. The Defense is most likely to say that Snape indeed did not use the Avada Kedavra spell on Harry, and that this will prove that Snape is not evil. However, we can easily counter this argument, because Snape has said it himself in chapter 2 of HBP (as my colleague DA Member already mentioned in her post on this page): Harry is Voldemort’s kill.
The final paragraph could be a closure statement for us! Happy Hedwig, I suppose you take a closer look at this. This is good stuff, trust me! Read on:
Occam’s Razor
We are presented with two seemingly valid choices: Snape is on Voldemort’s side or Snape is on Dumbledore’s side. What’s the simpler choice? Is it that Snape played a highly intricate game of cat and mouse with the Death Eaters, successfully lied to the Dark Lord (a powerful Legilimens himself) about his intentions, had a secret plot with Dumbledore to kill him at a given time, and that Dumbledore sacrificed himself even though the war with Voldemort is far, far from being over? Or that Snape was never on the good side, surprised Dumbledore with his true loyalty and killed him? I think it is painfully clear that the latter is simpler, and therefore, the correct choice.
Oh, the term Occam’s Razor means: If you are confronted with a choice of two equally valid alternatives, take the simpler one.
Eleonora
Investigator for the Prosecution of Severus Snape, a.k.a. Snivellus
Evidence on Snape: Count of Manslaughter
NOTE: For this count, I tried to focus on Snape’s insane personality as much as possible. I’m sure that some of my other evidence can be used in this count as well (his bad youth, Marauders always bullying him etc.). We need to prove that due to his sad past, Snape was bound to lose it anytime soon (and he did, as he killed Dumbledore at the end of HBP). However, to find more clear evidence on this on the internet proves to be quite difficult. I did manage to find some things, although they are not as good as the other articles. I suggest you guys take another close look on the books, because I think you will find more useful things in there… Eleonora
Post by Madame Hunter (Sugarquill.net):
There is nothing that indicates Snape enjoys killing or being evil and snarky—he just enjoys being snarky and getting revenge on people he considers enemies, people he does not respect and that he hates.
I think Snape hates that Dumbledore was weakened by trust and emotion, but I don’t think he finds any pleasure, any reason to gloat that it is he has proven destroys this trust, breaks Dumbledore’s heart. He’s not as nuts as his Master, Voldemort. He has enough decency to understand the weight the trust and respect of a wizard like Dumbledore carries. And he’s proud enough to want that respect. So I don’t think he has any sastifaction in killing Dumbledore. It wasn’t in battle, it was no great defeat. It was something Voldemort wanted done—an end to an era, and a somewhat inglorious one. And now Snape must live with the world knowing him as the man who threw mercy and grace back into the face of the man who so graciously gave it to him. Snape knows enough about love to reject it....and now there’s just emptiness—doing what is necessary to keep breathing.
HPFGU Fantastic Posts (hpfgu.org)
Other listies also think family had something to do with it, but in less sensational ways. For instance, Jinx (3785) and Gwendolyn Grace (30732) speculate that his past probably includes some abuse in his upbringing (see also Margaret Dean: 29477, Gwen: 29478, 28878, Tabouli: 36578), and that joining the Death Eaters was his attempt at revenge or escaping to something better. Rebecca (33524) theorizes that maybe nothing in particular “drove” Snape to join the Death Eaters other than his family and their expectations. It would be an example of the moral of the story if Snape were in a position to go along with who he thought he was based on his heritage vs. making a choice to act differently. And Eloise (31259, 33668) suggests that Snape might have been interested in Dumbledore as a father figure and resented Sirius and James for what he saw as Dumbledore’s apparent favoritism of them. Perhaps it was a craving for recognition from a more powerful wizard like Voldemort rather than evil intent per se that led him to the Death Eaters. Snape probably joined hoping to finally get power and respect from Voldemort. Judy Serenity (34727) agrees that the Prank was the catalyst and adds that since there was a war on at the time and Snape felt his life was threatened by the Marauders and dismissed by Dumbledore, that he might have sided with Voldemort to save his life. In message 14233, Tina suggests that he may have joined the Death Eaters for the express reason of becoming a spy. But Margaret Dean (14241) argues that it seems a more compelling characterization for Snape to have been tempted to join the Death Eaters because he is a naturally bitter and jealous person. She stipulates that he joined in order to satisfy a sense of self-worth by being part of the group. Parker (14262) agrees, saying that he might have been very committed upon joining. Monika (15372) adds that he was always fascinated by the Dark Arts and perhaps always had the desire to be a Death Eater. Susan (14927), Lea MacLeod (16035), and Lyda Clunas (16107) all support the idea that Snape’s love of rules, authority, hierarchy, and his need to be part of Hogwarts indicate the “gang” mindset that would make membership in the highly organized Death Eaters appealing.
WHY DOES SNAPE HATE HARRY SO MUCH?
Fame isn’t everything: Snape hates Harry because he’s (understandably) jealous. If we assume, as many readers do, that Snape was the ‘useful spy’ that tipped off the Potters, then Snape’s resentment of Harry begins to look like it stems from Snape’s sense of regret over Voldemort’s last tenure. Brian points out (1767) that Snape’s hatred of Harry probably has to do with the likelihood that Snape was intimately involved in trying to cause the fall of Voldemort, and Snape resents that all the credit went to an infant. Joywitch adds (2393) that perhaps Snape knew all along that Harry would cause the fall of Voldemort because that could have been Trelawney’s first prediction. Thus Snape will always have to settle for a supporting role as Harry’s protector and never be the hero he wishes to be. Naama adds (12170) that Snape might be jealous of Harry for being so naturally good since it was such a difficult struggle for Snape himself. Emily reminds us (30948) that Harry’s status as hero is in itself a source of resentment for Snape who was the one who risked his life in the fight against Voldemort for no credit. Tabouli counters (31031) that Snape doesn’t seem the glory hunting type but Susanna/Pigwidgeon (31034) argues that Snape needs Dumbledore’s approval for his own sense of redemption and seeing him favor Harry all the time (as he did James) must be difficult to take. Similarly, Eloise remarks (33668): “I think it is acutely painful for him that ‘famous Harry Potter’ gets all the credit for Voldemort’s downfall when however much ‘good’ he has done is secret. ‘Fame isn’t everything’ isn’t just another nasty remark, it’s a cri de coeur.” Snape might regret more than his own failure to save the Potters. CindySphynx (31231) notes that Snape probably had to betray some of his old school friends after he turned spy: Rosier, Wilkes, etc., a situation paralleled by that of James, also betrayed by his friends. She notes that this could explain his resentment of Harry if Harry serves as a constant reminder of what he had to do to get back the trust of Dumbledore.
SNAPE HATES HARRY BECAUSE HE REMINDS HIM OF JAMES
Taking Quirrell and Dumbledore at their word and running with it, many feel Snape’s hatred of Harry is inextricably tied to his relationship with James. Susan suggests (14927) that Snape hates Harry because he breaks the rules, which reminds him so much of James, quite a rule-breaker himself. Lea McLean discusses (16035) the rather obvious origins in his feud with James, and the penchant for rule-breaking seemingly inherent in both father and son. She points out that James gained respect and love from fellow students and teachers, constantly proved to be the exception, and did so with considerable latitude for the rules. Harry, because of who and what he is, does the same. Along the same lines, Eloise (31259) provides an eloquent interpretation of how Snape’s frustration with Harry derives from his jealousy over the approval that Dumbledore gave the rule-breaking James. Catherine acknowledges this issue, but points out (16038) that Snape’s obsession with fairness seems to go overboard where Harry is concerned. Where his feelings toward James and Harry seem to derive from an ‘It’s not fair’ attitude, Catherine postulates, his solution seems to be unfairly harsh on Harry in return. Lyda Clunas remarks (16107): “It is my belief that he sees the defiance of authority that so marked James’s (and now Harry’s) character as a type of weakness; he views it as weak and dishonorable of a person to not show proper respect to authority, and even worse when the person is still rewarded for their abject disregard for the rules which so govern Severus’ life. It does indeed ‘upset Snape’s whole world,’ especially in Harry’s case, since the authority Harry defies is Snape himself. Thus, Harry is just that “nasty little boy” who has no concern for the rules that should be obeyed.” Elizabeth Dalton adds (31071) that Harry’s similarity to James (who got himself killed when he trusted his friends, etc.) might also annoy Snape, who probably tried everything he could to keep James from meeting the fate he did. And Rebecca (33524) suggests that Snape gets irrational around Harry because Harry reminds him of his guilt, regrets and failure to save James’s life when he had the chance.
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3. Counters to Defense arguments
Against: Dumbledore would never plead for his life, therefore it wasn’t murder
It has been argued that Dumbledore was pleading for mercy, or for death. But let’s look at it again. Dumbledore clearly trusted Snape up until the last moment. He wasn’t at all surprised to find Draco, because Snape, whom he trusted, had already tipped him off. It finally dawned on him during that last sickening moment that he had been wrong all along, and it was too late. His final plea to Snape was not about saving OR sparing his life. It was about his loyalties. In that last second of silent communication between their minds, he was pleading for Snape to help fight the Death Eaters and not to betray the Order.
Against: it wasn’t murder because Snape was nice to Harry as he fled
- At the end of the book Snape is telling Harry to keep his mind shut and his mouth closed. The defense will likely say that he was being nice and trying to teach Harry even as he was fleeing. We could counter by saying that, in the book, instead of using "Snape said", Jo wrote "Snape sneered", so he is clearly just saying that to taunt Harry, not to help or to teach him.
- But why did he spare Harry? It wasn’t to protect him. What protection is left after Dumbledore dies? It must be because he knew Voldemort was biding his time, and wants to deal with Harry at his own leisure.
Against: the Avada Kedavra didn’t kill Dumbledore because Harry remained frozen
The counter to that silent and unmoving argument is very simple. How long does it take for a spell to dissolve after the caster dies? I somehow don’t think it is instantaneous. On top of that, I think that Harry would also have been paralyzed with shock at what happened. It would have taken him a moment or two to even notice he was released.
I also think (in regards to Dumbledore being blasted off the tower), that the difference between that and other Avada Kedavras we’ve witnessed is the anger and hate behind the curse. The previous incidences were cold killings. Lord Voldemort didn’t harbor any particular hate for Cedric. Barty Junior (miniB) didn’t harbor any particular hate for the spider. Likewise with the old man that Voldemort killed. But Snape’s face was full of "Hatred and loathing". He hated Dumbledore, and the stronger the hate and negative feelings, the more powerful the curse. Notice that Lord Voldemort’s curses that were aimed at Dumbledore shattered statues... because Lord Voldemort hated Dumbledore.
Against: the Avada Kedavra didn’t kill because it wasn’t Avada Kedavra; because Avada Kedavra doesn’t cause movement
- Remember the description of the Potter’s house being in ruins when Hagrid got there? That was because an Avada Kedavra was cast by Lord Voldemort. Now surely a powerful wizard, if he puts enough ‘force’ into a spell, gets a bit of backlash? This is what caused Dumbledore to fall over the roof and what caused the Potter’s house to be demolished; it is also shown in the scene where Dumbledore blasts down fake Moody’s door.
- APWBD, they never said what kind of curse or whatever Voldemort used to open/blast the door (Godric’s Hollow). At least, I don’t remember reading anything like. All I remember from the screams of Harry’s parents was that there was a blast, some sort of scuffle (James trying to stop Voldemort), then the pleading. No one knows how the house got blown apart except Voldemort or Rowling. But there maybe something about this powerful wizard because Dumbledore just used "stupefy" and the door was blasted into smithereens.
Against: Dumbledore gave him permission to kill
One scene that the defense is sure to bring up is the scene where Hagrid overhears Snape telling Dumbledore that Dumbledore is pushing him too hard, and Hagrid says he sounded overworked. (does anybody have the exact quote? Unfortunately, I lent my copy of HBP to a friend).
They will say this is Dumbledore asking Snape to kill him, and Snape is protesting. However, here is an interpretation for the prosecution.
Snape had been straddling the fence. But, he was starting to realize that he would have to choose sides because of the growing strength of Voldemort and the Unbreakable Vow. He knew from Bellatrix that Voldemort’s side was suspicious of him, and he no longer wanted to do anything that would make it harder for him to choose that side when the inevitable moment came that he has to change sides.
This is evidence that he was premeditating evil. The literary purpose of this scene is foreshadowing. It is not meant as something JK can use later to justify Snape actually being good. It would be uncharacteristically heavy handed of Jo to do this for this reason.
Against: Snape is not a murderer because he is redeemed
Interviewer: There’s an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape
JKR: He, um, there’s so much I wish I could say to you, and I can’t because it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to you that I’m slightly stunned that you’ve said that and you’ll find out why I’m so stunned if you read Book 7. That’s all I’m going to say.
They may argue that she is “stunned” because the interviewer has been so perceptive as to see that Snape is indeed a redemptive character, and if this is true, and if he has been indeed redeemed, then he cannot be evil. However, I think we can use this for our side.
Possibility 1: She is stunned because in book 7, we’ll see that he is evil, has always been evil, and is so far from redemption its not funny, or
Possibility 2: Snape, before the tower, is not actually in need of redemption. Sure, he used to be a Death Eater and is the one that told the Dark Lord about the prophecy. But, Dumbledore has forgiven him. He has been accepted into the order. He has been forgiven. If Snape was actually doing some sort of good by “killing” Dumbledore in the tower, he certainly would not need redemption in book 7. But, if he chose evil in the tower, then he could, in book 7, repent and try to do something to redeem himself.
Against: having a spy is more important than having Dumbledore
Why would Dumbledore ask Snape to murder him? I mean honestly…supposedly, people who think he’s innocent believe that Dumbledore died so Snape could continue spying for the Order. That does not make sense… Dumbledore, the head and leader of the Order, the “only one he ever feared” sacrificed himself so Severus, whom no one will listen to since they all believe he is a murderer, could continue spying…for a side that’s convinced he’s a Death Eater? Did that make sense? OF COURSE NOT!!!
Therefore…Snape killed Dumbledore by his own choice/will/volition/whatever you want to call it. He meant to kill Dumbledore.
Against: the “Hagrid overhears an argument” argument
Harry concludes that Dumbledore must have been angry at Snape for his lack of thoroughness in his investigation of Slytherin after the accidents. In other words, their agreement was not that Snape would kill Dumbledore – it was simply that Snape would look into the situation, especially Draco. This is evidenced when Dumbledore reveals to Draco in “The Lightning-Struck Tower” that he had ordered Snape to keep an eye on him.
”As a matter of fact, I did,” said Dumbledore. “I was sure it was you.”
”Why didn’t you stop me, then?” Malfoy demanded.
”I tried, Draco. Professor Snape has been keeping watch over you on my orders.”
-Chapter 27, pg. 588, U.S. hardback edition
There is no hard evidence for the other theory, and it begs the question – who would benefit? From Dumbledore’s perspective, how would this agreement help the Order or Harry? From Snape’s perspective, how would telling Dumbledore this help Snape or the Order? In other words, how does Dumbledore’s death help anything? I’ve heard the argument that it’s more important for Snape to be alive so he can continue to pass information to the Order, but once he’s killed Dumbledore, who will listen to him?
What valuable information has Snape passed to Dumbledore since being appointed to the DADA position? By the end of HBP we have received much more valuable information from Lupin about the werewolves, and from Dumbledore’s Pensieve research. Aside from this, we are basically in the dark about what Lord Voldemort is actually up to.
According to Hagrid, Snape tells Dumbledore he doesn’t want to do “it” anymore. What makes more sense? Snape doesn’t want to save his own life and kill Dumbledore anymore, or Snape doesn’t want to keep spying on the Death Eaters at great personal risk? Again, none of what we’ve learned about Voldemort in HBP has come from Snape. I think this is why.
But wouldn’t it make a good plot twist? I don’t think so. If the story hinges on some mysterious pact between Snape and Dumbledore, it would be too important for JKR to not explain very clearly in the wrap up of HBP; this is her pattern. The Pettigrew/Scabbers revelation was explained clearly in PoA, as was Crouch Jr.’s cover, via Veritaserum, in GoF. The end of HBP is just as clear to me. The twist isn’t that Snape is still loyal, despite killing Dumbledore. The twist is that Snape murdered Dumbledore!
It’s from another MuggleNet editorial by Nathan Coblentz. I just think that to assume that this argument between Snape and Dumbledore was about Snape killing him is too big an assumption to make; as Mr. Coblentz says, there isn’t really all that much evidence to support it. It is only mentioned once, in passing, by Hagrid, and although JKR likes to leave subtle clues like this about, I think the Defense are simply assuming way too much.
Against: it wasn’t murder because Dumbledore was already dying
Why wasn’t the rest of him turning black?
A counter the defense might use on the Dumbledore murder charge is the blackened hand. They might say that if Dumbledore’s hand was cursed, the curse could be spreading through him, meaning he knew he was going to die anyway, so Snape murdering him wouldn’t matter.
However... First of all, if the curse was spreading through him, wouldn’t the rest of Dumbledore be turning black? But no, only the cursed part of him, his hand, is black.
Any other interpretation is too complicated for a children’s book
Harry Potter was primarily a children’s book. When PS/Snape was published, the book was classed as a children’s book, and Rowling a writer for children. I think she generally intended this series to be aimed at children, though she doesn’t mind in the slightest if adults read it too.
Now, the theory that the Defense will put forward is that Dumbledore ordered Snape to kill him, making Snape good because he followed Dumbledore’s orders. The prosecution’s belief is that Snape is evil, Malfoy was told by Voldemort to kill Dumbledore and Snape vowed to do it for him if he didn’t succeed.
It is more likely that, since this is supposed to be a children’s series, JKR would not write an extremely complicated and somewhat bizarre plot to kill off a character such as Dumbledore. A very important fact you should remember is that you should never, ever kill someone, even if they ask you to (euthanasia argument). I find the idea that Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him deeply disturbing; it is more plausible that Snape, a cunning, evil double agent has finally shown his true colors and murdered Dumbledore.
Definition of euthanasia:
The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.
Euthanasia in The Netherlands can be applied in three ways:
- Withholding a life-saving medical procedure that is considered hopeless by at least two qualified doctors ("passive euthanasia").
- Ending the life of the patient by administering either a lethal injection or a fatal dose of a strong painkiller, for example: morphine (“active euthanasia”).
- Palliative sedation. It’s a combination of terminal pain killing and terminal sedation. So the patient is drugged with morphine (for the pain) and Dormicum (for any fear or stress the patient might have). The patient won’t eat anything in the ‘normal way’ and the nutrition won’t be applied by an IV ‘drip’ either. In this case the patient will die because of the disease. Only his suffering is reduced to a limited amount.
There’s only one purpose of euthanasia: Death (by the patient’s wishes). Any other decisions that may have to be taken when it you want to end your life, mean that you don’t want to try to conquer death. Ending your life or prolonging it are two very different things.
Before a patient can apply for euthanasia, he has to sign a document in which he agrees with the whole treatment, so that the doctor cannot be held legally responsible for the ending of the patient’s life. Officially this document is legitimate for the rest of the patient’s life, but most doctors appreciate if the sick person updates the paper every ten years.
Question: What if I want to make use of euthanasia and my children won’t let me?
It is your life, so you can make your own decisions, even when it comes to a huge decision such as ending you life. Make sure that you will clarify this in the euthanasia document very clearly. In that case, the doctor that is practicing euthanasia cannot be held legally responsible for your death.
*Note: In theory this sounds great, but this is still causing a lot of trouble. Things are usually not stated clearly enough in the euthanasia document, so most doctors do not want to get ‘involved’, because of the risk of being sued. Eleonora)
Of course, this all changes when the person isn’t able to say that they want to make use of euthanasia anymore (for example when the patient is in a coma, or demented). In that case your remaining (direct) family (partner, children, grandchildren – in that order) decides whether euthanasia is an option. All parties must be unanimous about this. If one of them is against euthanasia, then the responsible doctors can do nothing about that.
Against: Dumbledore is infallible and Dumbledore trusted Snape
Point 1
JKR: Well, there is information on that to come, in seven. But I would say that I think it has been demonstrated, particularly in books five and six that immense brainpower does not protect you from emotional mistakes and I think Dumbledore really exemplifies that. In fact, I would tend to think that being very, very intelligent might create some problems and it has done for Dumbledore.
Rowling has actually outright stated that Dumbledore has made emotional mistakes. She clearly says that Dumbledore EXEMPLIFIES this. Interesting… and it definitely points to Snape as being that “emotional mistake” Dumbledore made, at least in my mind, seeing as they were discussing Snape when she went into her little revealing comment.
Point 2
“Naturally I do, but as I have already proven to you, I make mistakes like the next man. In fact, being – forgive me – rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.”
-HBP
Dumbledore (or rather, JKR) could be referring to trusting Snape because that was a huge mistake.
Point 3
(continued from above quote)
JKR: In fact, I would tend to think that being very, very intelligent might create some problems and it has done for Dumbledore, because his wisdom has isolated him, and I think you can see that in the books, because where is his equal, where is his confidante, where is his partner? He has none of those things. He’s always the one who gives, he’s always the one who has the insight and has the knowledge. So I think that, while I ask the reader to accept that McGonagall is a very worthy second in command, she is not an equal. You have a slightly circuitous answer, but I can’t get much closer than that.
Rowling actually says herself that Dumbledore was lonely in some ways. Any lonely person will be vulnerable for making emotional mistakes, even someone as wise as Dumbledore. As we all know, Dumbledore always liked to see the best in people (trusting Snape, offering help to Draco who was about to kill him, etc.) and loves to give them a second chance.
Put this and his emotional loneliness together and well, you’ve got someone who (maybe temporarily) fails to judge someone of character properly.
Point 4
More evidence on the “Dumbledore is fallible theme”. We shouldn’t forget that Dumbledore is often fooled by Dark Wizards. Look at Quirrell, Crouch Jr. (the Fake Moody). He is too trusting, and unfortunately evil wizards have great fun taking advantage of this.
Point 5
Do you need more evidence? What about Snape’s general mannerisms, particularly his behavior towards Harry? Dumbledore never knew just how abusive Snape was to Harry when nobody else was around, because Harry didn’t feel the need to burden him with every little thing. He found other ways to deal with it. Any character who is truly loyal to Dumbledore and the Order would not be so unbelievably sadistic towards Harry, taking out his bitterness against James on Harry, or gloating over his or Sirius’ deaths at every possible opportunity. Or, for that matter, going against Dumbledore’s orders and discontinuing those Occlumency lessons, knowing full well their significance. I doubt Dumbledore would have trusted Snape so much if he had witnessed this kind of behavior first hand.
Point 6
Severus takes pride in the fact that he can appear to be in complete control of himself. He is, after all, an exceptionally skilled Occlumens, able to close off his real feelings from outside penetration, a superb defense and an excellent protector of his true feelings and character. He only shows us what he wants to show us. I doubt even Dumbledore knows what Severus keeps locked up inside his troubled mind.
The Unbreakable Vow
Point 1
Snape had a choice…make the Unbreakable Vow or don’t make the Unbreakable Vow. Now we already stated that a big theme in the book is choices. Snape’s choice was evil…he made the Unbreakable Vow.
Snape could have easily gotten out of that Vow…he could have said something like, “This mission was meant for Draco alone” or whatever. But no… he dives in headfirst. And can you imagine (if Snape really was on Dumbledore’s side after making the Vow) what Snape would tell Dumbledore? Hello Dumbledore, nice day, by the way I’ve just made an Unbreakable Vow that will inevitably end up in your death. Hmm…I don’t think so!
Point 2
Okay, so back to “Spinner’s End” – the way I see it at the moment, there are two interpretations for our side and two for the defense.
- Snape really is in Voldemort’s confidence, does indeed know what he’s planning with Draco, and enters into the Vow with Narcissa fully informed and ready to kill.
- Snape was not told by Voldemort, but uses Legilimency to pull the information out of Narcissa’s mind (it’s obviously front and center) and, now knowing what’s up, enters into the Vow mostly informed (and annoyed at Voldemort for not trusting him more).
- How the defense will likely see it – Snape was told about the plan by Voldemort, went to Dumbledore and told him, and together they hatched the “if you have to kill me, kill me” plan.
- Also a defense possibility – Snape was not told about the plan, again used Legilimency, and was “tricked” into the Vow by the Black sisters, working out what to do about it with Dumbledore later.
Against: he is not the murderer because he did not kill any others during his flight from the tower
Point 1
What about this? This proves that Snape (lousy monster) really did betray the Order. When the Order was being overrun by the death eaters in the castle, someone (Flitwick, I think) went to Snape’s class to ask for help. He (Snape) in turn stupefied or attacked Flitwick, then went to kill Dumbledore.
The defendants might say that it was all an act or that if he was really evil, then why didn’t he kill Hermione and Luna, who was watching him, before going to the tower?
We might say to this that because if he did stay to kill Hermione and Luna, then he might have been too late or Snape’s vow might kill him because he wasn’t in time to help Malfoy.
Point 2
Now onto Snape stunning Flitwick but not Hermione and Luna… Who’s the bigger threat here? Flitwick, an accomplished teacher who, I assume, is pretty good at charms and close to Dumbledore? OR Hermione and Luna, two teenagers? Not to mention, who had a drink of Felix Felicis? Hermione. Getting stunned or killed is not "lucky" - so she wasn't.
Point 3
‘But before he could finish the jinx, excruciating pain hit Harry; he keeled over in the grass. Someone was screaming, he would surely die of this agony, Snape was going to torture him to death or madness-
”No!” roared Snape’s voice and the pain stopped as suddenly as it had started Harry lay curled on the Dark grass, clutching his wand and panting; somewhere overhead Snape was shouting, “Have you forgotten our orders? Potter belongs to the Dark Lord – We are to leave him! Go! Go!”’
Now we are talking. Yes, he saved Harry from excruciating pain, but he wants Harry dead; that is why he said leave him for Voldemort.
Point 4
He never physically hurt Harry (right?) but it was only because he wanted to save Harry for Voldemort. It was all in the plans.
Not only that, but also he was protecting himself, because Dumbledore would have thrown him to the (were?)wolves if he had ever hurt Harry. So by protecting Harry he was protecting himself.
Point 5
As to Snape never killing Harry, that is obvious - he wanted to save himself. He wasn’t stupid enough to pull anything right under Dumbledore’s nose. Plus the fact that he wanted to save Harry for Voldemort anyway
Against: Dumbledore finally gave him the DADA position because he knew Snape must kill
JACKSON LONG: Professor Snape has always wanted to be Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. In book five he doesn’t get the job. Why doesn’t Professor Dumbledore let him be the DADA teacher?
JK Rowling: That is an excellent question and the reason is… I have to be careful… not to say too much. However, when Professor Dumbledore took Professor Snape onto the staff and Professor Snape said he’d like to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts please and Professor Dumbledore felt that it might bring out the worst in Professor Snape, so Dumbledore said: “I think we’ll let you teach potions and see how you get along there.”
OK, this isn’t anything new, but hear me out. Dumbledore never gave the DADA position to Snape and Snape did exactly know why. When, in HBP, he finally got the DADA teaching job, he knew that he had (finally) gained Dumbledore’s full trust. Dumbledore probably thought that Snape has proven himself enough by not going to the Dark Side (at once, in OotP)).
I’m pretty sure that Snape has thought about this, too. That’s why he didn’t go to Voldemort immediately. He waited; he knew that Dumbledore was still watching him. Until he got the DADA job. That was the moment Snape has been waiting for all these years. By then, he could finally show his true personality and betray Dumbledore.
It's easier to hide things from Dumbledore than Voldemort
The defense might say that he was just acting but how could he act from a lie detector (Voldemort)?
I think this one is going to come down to whether people believe Snape is a stronger Occlumens than either Voldemort or Dumbledore is a Legilimens…
Dumbledore never trusted him
Point 1
You can tell Dumbledore didn’t fully trust Snape…when Harry asks Dumbledore why he trusts Snape, Dumbledore gets all snappity (and we all know that Dumbledore rarely gets snappity) about it, meaning he’s probably questioning Snape’s allegiance and doesn’t want to be bothered about it. Then when Harry asks how Dumbledore can know that Snape is on their side, Dumbledore “looked as though he was trying to make up his mind about something” (HBP p. 549). I’m not so sure Dumbledore was 100% positive about Snape.
Point 2
Dumbledore trusted Snape only halfway because he was a trusting man. If you notice I said “only halfway” because he never gave Snape the DADA job as Snape wanted because Dumbledore was afraid he would stray back to the dark side, as he did. Dumbledore gave him the DADA job because he thought Snape was helping him since Snape was in the Order of the Phoenix.
Jo’s Interview
MA: It goes back to the question of whether Snape is a double-double-double-triple-
JKR: [Laughs] Double-double-quadruple-to-the-power-of – yeah.
MA: …whether this had been planned, and since Dumbledore had this knowledge of Draco the whole year, had they had a discussion that said, “Should this happen, you have to act as if it is entirely your intention to just walk forward and kill me, because if you don’t, Draco will die, the Unbreakable Vow, you’ll die,” and so on —
JKR: No, I see that, and yeah, I follow your line there. I can’t — I mean, obviously, there are lines of speculation I don’t want to shut down. Generally speaking, I shut down those lines of speculation that are plain unprofitable. Even with the shippers. God bless them, but they had a lot of fun with it. It’s when people get really off the wall — it’s when people devote hours of their time to proving that Snape is a vampire that I feel it’s time to step in, because there’s really nothing in the canon that supports that.
ES: It’s when you look for those things —
JKR: Yeah, it’s after the 15th rereading when you have spots in front of your eyes that you start seeing clues about Snape being the Lord of Darkness. So, there are things I shut down just because I think, well, don’t waste your time, there’s better stuff to be debating, and even if it’s wrong, it will probably lead you somewhere interesting. That’s my rough theory anyway.
Okay, so Jo does shut down some theories, like the one about Snape being a vampire. However, in the interview she’s trying really hard not to say anything about Snape being a murderer (or him being innocent, of course).
She also says that she doesn’t want to shut down any theories of Snape being a double agent, because she wants to give people hope. This could only mean that she avoiding the question and that Snape is at least guilty on one of the charges.
To address the “Dumbledore not dead” issue. Wouldn't somebody, SOMEBODY, have noticed if Dumbledore wasn't dead? I mean, wouldn't the guy be breathing or something when they put him in the tomb? Also, that picture could not have appeared in the headmaster/mistress's office if he wasn't dead. Plus, he took a direct Avada Kedavra to the heart and fell off the Astronomy Tower. He's dead as dead can be, unfortunately.
Now if the defense says that Dumbledore could come back from the dead...JKR has said in some interview somewhere after Sirius died, that no wizard/witch can come back from the dead. I believe the direct quote was "Once you're dead, you’re dead."
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1. Overhearing of Prophecy
There is absolutely no doubt that Snape did, in fact, overhear the Prophecy – it is confirmed both by Albus Dumbledore and Sibyl Trelawney (though she does not yet know that she actually made a Prophecy).
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2. Communication to Voldemort
Snape definitely has got something to do with the murder on the Potters. Why?
- Snape has admitted to Dumbledore that he heard part of the Prophecy and went directly to Voldemort to tell him what he heard.
- Thanks to Snape, Voldemort knew that the child mentioned was one of two babies born to Order members.
- Snape told Dumbledore that he never imagined that Voldemort’s reaction would be to kill the family and he never guessed that the family would be people he knew – James and Lily Potter and their baby, Harry.
- Snape probably told Dumbledore: “I can’t stand Potter, but I can’t do nothing and let Voldemort kill off his wife and innocent baby because of something I heard and told him.”
It doesn’t matter that Snape might have regrets on betraying the Potters (I don’t think he has any). He still remains (partly) responsible for the attack on James, Lily and Harry.
Firstly, I think we can confirm that this information was passed, since Dumbledore mentions Snape’s repentance of the act. If the act had not been performed, there would be no need for repentance.
Page 512, HBP, UK edition: ‘Professor Snape made a terrible mistake. He was still in Lord Voldemort’s employ on the night he heard the first half of the Prophecy. Naturally, he hastened to tell his master what he had heard, for it concerned his master most deeply. But he did not know – he had no possible way of knowing – which boy Voldemort would hunt from then onwards, or that the parents he would destroy in his murderous quest were people that professor Snape knew, that they were your mother and father-‘
Page 513: ‘You have no idea of the remorse professor Snape felt when he realized how Lord Voldemort had interpreted the prophecy, Harry. I believe it to be the greatest regret of his life and the reason that he returned-‘
Snape actually admits to faking this remorse in chapter 2 of HBP, where he says:
I spun him a tale of deepest remorse when I joined his staff, fresh from my Death Eater days, and he embraced me with open arms…’
The Defense might counter this by saying that anything Snape says to the Black sisters was a cover, a lie, an act, such as the fact that he would have had to let them into his house, it would have blown his cover if he hadn’t.
But, remember this line: ‘Narcissa, I think we ought to hear what Bellatrix is bursting to say; it will save tedious interruptions. Well, continue, Bellatrix,’ said Snape. ‘Why is it that you do not trust me?’ (Page 30, Spinner’s End)
Does that sound like a man who is acting, who wants to avoid awkward questions? He could just as easily have said something like: ‘The Dark Lord trusts me, Bellatrix; I haven’t got time to give tedious explanations. What were you saying, Narcissa?’ He could have avoided being questioned, but instead he welcomes it; he wishes to prove to Bellatrix that he’s a faithful Death Eater.
I have come to the conclusion that everything Snape says to the Black sisters in this chapter is true.
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3. The Pettigrew factor
Now, would Voldemort have gone after the Potters if Snape hadn’t told him of the Prophecy?
In PoA, we find out that Pettigrew passed information to Voldemort on Lily and James’ whereabouts. He was their Secret keeper, but he betrayed them.
Page 274, PoA, Chapter 19: ‘DON’T LIE!’ bellowed Black. ‘YOU’D BEEN PASSING INFORMATION TO HIM FOR A YEAR BEFORE LILY AND JAMES DIED! YOU WERE HIS SPY!’
Since Pettigrew would have been in the order, it is likely that he gave Voldemort information on not only James and Lily, but the Order as well. It is plausible that Peter had told Voldemort the names of the members of the order, and so Voldemort and his Death Eaters would be hunting all of them down and picking them off one by one. So Lily and James may have already been on Voldemort’s ‘hit list’.
However, then another of his spies (Snape) informs him of a Prophecy, which he interprets to mean the Potter’s son, Harry. He is eager to outwit this Prophecy, and Lily and James rise to the very top of his ‘hit list’. Then, when Pettigrew gives him the address he goes straight to their hiding place and finishes them off.
If Snape had not told Voldemort about the Prophecy, it may not have prevented the murders, but it may have delayed them. So Snape, when he passed on the information, at least shortened the lives of Lily and James Potter.
When Snape passed along the piece of Prophecy that he had overheard, he had no way of knowing to whom it referred. However, there could have been no doubt that Voldemort would target whomever it was as soon as he figured it out – it could have been Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, or Ishkabibble the Ooga-Booga; once the information was relayed, the target was drawn and it was only a matter of time. Pettigrew simply made it easier to go after the Potters first. Is Peter more culpable? Absolutely. Do we have him on trial? No. We have Snape. And Snape started it.
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1. Serving as double agent
Happy Hedwig:
Here are some excerpts from ch.2 Spinner’s End:
’”I am not your servant!” he squeaked, avoiding Snape’s eyes. (Wormtail) “Really? I was under the impression that the Dark Lord placed you here to assist me.”’
This was important because it proves Snape is still in touch with Voldemort. He also calls him the Dark Lord still, therefore meaning he is still among the Death Eaters.
The questions the defense may ask are similar to Bellatrix’s questions about Snape’s loyalty.
’”Where were you when the Dark Lord fell? Why did you never make an attempt to find him when he vanished? What have you been doing all theses years that you lived in Dumbledore’s pocket? Why did you stop the Dark Lord procuring the Sorcerer’s Stone? Why did you not return at once when the Dark Lord was reborn? Where were you a few weeks ago when we battled to retrieve the prophecy for the Dark Lord? And why, Snape, is Harry Potter still alive, when you have had him at your mercy for five years?”’
And here is how Snape answers, as will we…
’”Do you really think that the Dark Lord has not asked me each and every one of those questions?”
”I was where he had ordered me to be, at Hogwarts, because he wished me to spy on Albus Dumbledore. You ask why I did not attempt to find him when he vanished. For the same reason Avery, Yaxley, the Carrows, Greyback, Lucius, and many others did not attempt to find him. I believed him finished. I am not proud of it, I was wrong, but there it is…if he had not forgiven we who lost faith at that time, he would have very few followers left.”’
Bellatrix complains then about how he played Dumbledore’s pet.
Snape replied by saying that he was able to give 16 years worth of information on Dumbledore to Voldemort, upon his return.
’”I think you wanted to know why I had stood between the Dark Lord and the Sorcerer’s Stone. That is easily answered. He did not know that he could trust me. He thought, like you, that I had turned from faithful Death Eater into Dumbledore’s stooge. …etc… As it was, I saw only greedy and unworthy Quirrell attempting to steal the stone and, I admit I did all I could to thwart him.
etc.
“Correct. I returned 2 hours later. I returned on Dumbledore’s orders.”’ Bellatrix outraged “DUMBLEDORE’S!”
Snape-“Think! By waiting 2 hours, I ensured that I could remain at Hogwarts as a spy!”’
And it goes on saying that if Snape killed Harry then Snape would end up in Azkaban.
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2. Transfer of vital information to Voldemort/Death Eaters
I’m not sure if this has been mentioned before, but I think this guy has a good point:
Harry concludes that Dumbledore must have been angry at Snape for his lack of thoroughness in his investigation of Slytherin after the accidents. In other words, their agreement was not that Snape would kill Dumbledore – it was simply that Snape would look into the situation, especially Draco. This is evidenced when Dumbledore reveals to Draco in “The Lightning-Struck Tower” that he had ordered Snape to keep an eye on him.
”As a matter of fact, I did,” said Dumbledore. “I was sure it was you.”
”Why didn’t you stop me, then?” Malfoy demanded.
”I tried, Draco. Professor Snape has been keeping watch over you on my orders.”
-Chapter 27, pg. 588, U.S. hardback edition
There is no hard evidence for the other theory, and it begs the question – who would benefit? From Dumbledore’s perspective, how would this agreement help the Order or Harry? From Snape’s perspective, how would telling Dumbledore this help Snape or the Order? In other words, how does Dumbledore’s death help anything? I’ve heard the argument that it’s more important for Snape to be alive so he can continue to pass information to the Order, but once he’s killed Dumbledore, who will listen to him?
What valuable information has Snape passed to Dumbledore since being appointed to the DADA position? By the end of HBP we have received much more valuable information from Lupin about the werewolves, and from Dumbledore’s Pensieve research. Aside from this, we are basically in the dark about what Lord Voldemort is actually up to.
According to Hagrid, Snape tells Dumbledore he doesn’t want to do “it” anymore. What makes more sense? Snape doesn’t want to save his own life and kill Dumbledore anymore, or Snape doesn’t want to keep spying on the Death Eaters at great personal risk? Again, none of what we’ve learned about Voldemort in HBP has come from Snape. I think this is why. But wouldn’t it make a good plot twist? I don’t think so. If the story hinges on some mysterious pact between Snape and Dumbledore, it would be too important for JKR to not explain very clearly in the wrap up of HBP; this is her pattern. The Pettigrew/Scabbers revelation was explained clearly in PoA, as was Crouch Jr.’s cover, via Veritaserum, in GoF. The end of HBP is just as clear to me. The twist isn’t that Snape is still loyal, despite killing Dumbledore. The twist is that Snape murdered Dumbledore!
It’s from another MuggleNet editorial by Nathan Coblentz. I just think that to assume that this argument between Snape and Dumbledore was about Snape killing him is too big an assumption to make, as Mr. Coblentz says, there isn’t really all that much evidence to support it. It is only mentioned once, in passing, by Hagrid, and although JKR likes to leave subtle clues like this about, I think the Defense are simply assuming way too much.
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1. Admission of
Page 35, chapter 2: The Dark Lord is satisfied with the information I have given him on the Order. It led, as you may have guessed, to the recent capture and murder of Emmeline Vance, and it certainly helped dispose of Sirius Black, though I give you full credit for finishing him off.’
So there you have it. Snape admits to the Black sisters that he passed information to Voldemort which led to the capture and murder of Emmeline Vance.
The Defense have no way round this one (I don’t think so, anyway) because we know that Emmeline Vance was killed, and the Order should be the only people who know where she is and that she’s working for the Order. Her family and friends are not going to start shouting round the neighborhood where she lives and what she does in the middle of a war situation, are they? Snape is the only explanation.
This also suggests that Snape has been passing truthful and correct information to the Dark side. (The information he gave was correct, because they found her) That’s another thing that proves Snape is evil.
re: Non-specific acts of espionage. E.g., Was Snape passing information to Lord Voldemort all the time? If so, then he was committing the crime of espionage by betraying the Order Of The Phoenix. Note: There doesn’t have to be specific accounts of separate incidents, it just has to be proved that Snape was consistently passing secret information to Voldemort.
It’s when Narcissa and Bella were at Snape’s place. Bear with me now.
”…although the Dark Lord is pleased I never deserted my post: I had sixteen years worth of information on Dumbledore to give him when he returned,…”
This is one to prove that Snape always has something in his sleeve. It connects with an article or something. Talking about Snape always choosing his best options for himself. I don’t have my CoS. It’s the scene where Harry and Ron got to school by Ron’s dad and was seen by Muggles.
Or it might be when Harry heard the snake’s voice for the first or second time, where it led him to the warning. Hermione and Ron following Harry.
I don’t know. I don’t quite remember the scene but it was when Snape sided with them. Saying that he believed them or something. But then (after I thought I was going to have a heart attack) Snape asked why they weren’t at the feast. The trio or duo told the teachers that they weren’t at the feast because they weren’t hungry. Snape smirked or something because after saying that they weren’t hungry, Harry’s stomach suddenly growled.
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2. Other evidence for
This is all I could find in this short amount of time. It's a little bit of info on Emmeline Vance's murder... It's from a forum (Chamber of Secrets), so I'm not sure it's valuable. Here it is:
Early in the Half-Blood Prince we find out that he claims the murder of Vance is his responsibility. This is not something that Bella could not confirm very easily so there has to be some truth to his claim. Even if Bella was not to confront the Dark Lord about how they were able to kill Vance there is always the Death Eater that did the killing for him. As we all know Bellatrix is one of the ringleaders of the Death Eaters and I feel that among the common Death Eater she is feared.
And this:
Then, the death of Emmeline Vance showed me that Snape is definitely NOT 100% good. I believe he was feeding the "Dark Lord" information to preserve his spot in the circle of Death Eaters (instead of a huge hole where one had been killed). I suppose Vance was a relatively minor Order member, so perhaps Snape felt he was not doing too bad a thing, but also being responsible for the death of Dumbledore is a huge weight to carry. That is quite a sacrifice on Snape's part -- and Snape has not seemed to be the sacrificing kind throughout the series.
He knew about the plan involving Draco
Ok I just found a bit of proof why Snape is with Lord Voldemort so I thought I’d post it so it can be used.
- Lord Voldemort trusts Snape with his secret plan. Snape didn’t use Occlumency before he claimed to know the prophecy because he didn’t look at Narcissa in the eye. I don’t even think that He could have used Occlumency because it seems to me that Voldemort would want all his DE’s especially Narcissa to know Occlumency is he was telling them his plans that he wanted to keep secret.
- If Narcissa had let Snape figure out the plan using Occlumency (assuming for a moment he didn’t already know) Lord Voldemort would have been not too happy and would have most likely killed Narcissa for telling Snape about his plan.
- pg 38 Narcissa claims that Snape is Lord Voldemort’s favorite and his trusted advisor. Lord Voldemort is a master Occlumens; his "favorite and most trusted advisor" wouldn’t be able to conceal the fact that he was working for the enemy.
- Snape is good at Occlumency, but Voldemort is better, and if Snape refused to let Voldemort see his thoughts, Voldemort would get suspicious and force it out of him (Snape). OR, if Snape wouldn’t let Voldemort see the truth, Voldemort would most likely kill him. As Snape is still alive, that proves that he is truly working for Voldemort.
Dumbledore suspected him of spying
Severus,” said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, “you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready…if you are prepared…”
”I am,” said Snape.
He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely. ”Then good luck,” said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of apprehension on his face, as Snape swept wordlessly after Sirius. -GoF
Spying requires bravery
It becomes clear during his actions after Dumbledore and Harry return from the cave. Snape does what he must to preserve his own life, both in killing the greatest wizard of the age and in fleeing. It is extremely interesting to note that Snape does not enjoy being called a “coward” by Harry. He does not see what he is doing as “cowardly”; on the contrary, he believes it is very brave. Surely, his precarious position as double-spy throughout the series has been extremely difficult to pull off and required a lot of nerve. Yet, while Harry believes the greatest form of bravery is being unafraid of death (especially for a friend), Snape believes it to be doing what he must to preserve his own life at this point. “ pulled from mugglenet.com
By harming Sirius
I took the liberty of reading the passage in PoA where Snape goes mad and here it is:
Fudge: “He must have disapparated, Severus. We should have left somebody in the room with him. When this gets out –“
Snape: “He didn’t disapparate! Snape roared, now very close at hand. You can’t apparate or disapparate inside this castle! This- has – something – to – do – with – Potter!”
Dumbledore: “Severus – be reasonable – Harry has been locked up-“
BAM.
The door of the hospital wing burst open.
Fudge, Snape, and Dumbledore came striding into the ward. Dumbledore alone looked calm. Indeed he looked as though he was quite enjoying himself. Fudge appeared angry. But Snape was beside himself.
Snivellus Snake: “OUT WITH IT POTTER,” he bellowed. WHAT DID YOU DO?”
MP: “Professor Snape!” shrieked Madam Pomfrey. “Control yourself!”
Fudge: “See here Snape be reasonable,” said Fudge. “This door’s been locked, we just saw-“
Sectum Sempra: “THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT” Snape howled, pointing at Ron and Hermione. His face was twisted; spit was flying from his mouth.
Fudge: “Calm down, man!” Fudge barked. “You’re talking nonsense!”
Soggy Sandwich: “YOU DON’T KNOW POTTER!” shrieked Snape. “HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT-“
Dumbledore: That will do, Severus” said Dumbledore quietly. “Think about what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, have these students left their beds?”
I believe Snape wanted to kill him so badly, because he knew Sirius would be vital to the order and because he flat out hated Sirius. Although, the defense can turn this around by saying, “We believe that he wanted so desperately for the Dementor to perform the Kiss because he “did not like Sirius” and at the time, he was under the influence that Sirius was, in fact, a servant of Voldemort.”
This leads back to what ViolaNut was saying. “Innocent until proven guilty.” Now we need to find a niche in this series of events in PoA which undoubtedly proves (ha I loved this one) Soggy Sandwich guilty.
By being slow to pass on information
What took so long - MuggleNet editorial
The Defense will probably bring up the point that Snape notified the Order, so hopefully we can prove that it took Snape an alarming amount of time to do so.
By Sabotaging Occlumency lessons
Point 1
He stopped teaching Harry Occlumency the day that Harry saw his memory. Now, we think that it was because he was mad about Harry seeing the memory, but I think he stopped because Harry was starting to get good. Snape was only teaching Harry so he could open his mind for Voldemort; as soon as Harry got good enough to see Snape’s memory he stopped in fear of Harry getting good enough to conceal his mind from him and Voldemort.
Point 2
The defense can’t have a good argument for any aspect of that incident. If Snape knew that Occlumency was a main way of stopping Voldy, he wouldn’t have stopped the lessons, no matter what Harry saw in the Pensieve. I mean stopping the most evil wizard in the world is a little more important than holding a grudge against your enemy’s son.
OR…maybe Snape was afraid of what else Harry would see in the Pensieve. Maybe a few memories of a few too many Death Eater meetings…
Oh wait. That was Dumbledore’s Pensieve wasn’t it?
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Main Slytherin Characteristic: Save Own Skin. He’s the head of this house for a reason
It’s possible that all Snape wants is a way to stay alive and “save his own skin”. If so, this could be why Snape joined up with the Death Eaters. Maybe Snape felt threatened by the way the Marauders treated him. It’s also possible that Snape might have felt dismissed by Dumbledore. Therefore, he might have imagined that his life was in danger if he sided with the Order. That could be why he signed up for the Death Eaters, to save himself
Just generally a miserable, hateful guy
Let's look at the character. Based on what we know at this stage, Snape had a fairly unpleasant childhood and was bullied through most of school. As an adult, Snape is in a job he dislikes and is constantly surrounded by people who either annoy him, or do not respect him. He's bitter and angry and having trouble letting go of all the slights he's experienced since childhood. He tends to take these feelings out on those around him through the use of sarcasm.
The man loves Dark Magic
Point 1
CoS: Here's about it:
He gives Harry a "Shrewd, calculating look" when he realizes Harry is a Parselmouth. (page 146)
This shows me that Snape thought Harry possessed dark powers (for full detail, see Spinners End). I can't see anything except he was ready "to turn to the dark side" at any time.
Point 2
'The Dark Arts,' said Snape, 'are many, varied, ever-changing and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible.'
Harry stared at Snape. It was surely one thing to respect the Dark Arts as a dangerous enemy, another to speak of them, as Snape was doing, with a loving caress in his voice?
(Page 169, HBP, UK edition)
Throughout the books, I got the impression that Snape didn't enjoy teaching, 'I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.' so what was he still doing there?
Before I read HBP, I simply thought it was because he had nowhere else to go, or no one else was silly enough to employ a former Death Eater. Now I have read the book however, my loathing of him has obviously increased ten fold and I realize that he wasn't there to teach at all, he was there to, as he admits in Chapter 2, spy on and be protected by, Dumbledore.
Snape's teaching skills, or lack of them, show that he doesn't want to be at Hogwarts at all, how can he possibly just want to take points off Gryffindor to get revenge on Harry's dead father?
He must be pretty insecure to let the taunts of a dead person control him even now. Harry and his friends are in no way responsible for Snape's childhood. It is not Harry's fault that James and Snape were enemies at school.
Snape loved the Dark arts while in school (he created sectumsempra etc.) and still loves them now. This cannot be all fueled from his childhood; I believe it is more than that. Yes, it may have been a factor, but his childhood did not make him join the Dark Side. Harry has had a bad time too, but not once has he been tempted to join the side of evil.
He is a bully, etc
Point 1
- Snape holds grudges too long. Why can't he just forget what happened over twenty years ago? Ok, so he could have lost his life; SO WHAT!!! He is the reason why Lily and James are dead. True, he just found this out about a week ago but Snape knew this for years.
- Snape hates Harry because of his father, who saved Snape’s life. As a matter of fact, James had nothing to do with the "joke" Sirius played on him, although Snape assumes that James did. What kind of idiot hates a child? He doesn't know Harry and never cared to try to understand Harry. This leads back to number one, Snape’s hold grudges too long and that grudge has cared on to Harry.
- Snape shows favoritism to a select few. The Slytherins are the only people to whom Snape is polite, if you can call it that. He is always trying to find ways to punish the other houses, especially Gryffindor. Although, I have to say, I wouldn't mind if he showed favoritism to Harry.
- Snape is always the bully. Snape consistently bullies Harry. He even takes pleasure in getting rid of Harry's home/classwork. Now what kind of "man" would take pleasure in taunting a child? And you would think that he, having been a prey himself, would be compassionate towards those who are being bullied, i.e. Neville. But, NO, Snape’s would rather cause more harm buy bulling the prey.
- Snape killed Dumbledore. I don't care if it was planned or not; he still killed Dumbledore. I will never forgive him for that. It was the worst dramatically irony I ever read. How could Snape kill Dumbledore when Dumbledore had an undying faith in him? That will stun me every time.
Point 2
We all know and have evidence that Snape is a bitter and jealous person. It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it, when we see the way Snape treats Harry because of the way James treated Snape. Because Snape is a bitter and jealous person, we can see that he would be tempted to join up with the Death Eaters. This way, Snape could get all the revenge in the world against the Marauders for all they ever did to him. Seems logical, doesn’t it?
Jo says he is evil
Point 1
It's fun to write about Snape because he's a deeply horrible person. (Summer 1999)
12 Oct. 1999
What about Snape?
JKR: Snape is a very sadistic teacher, loosely based on a teacher I myself had, I have to say. I think children are very aware and we are kidding ourselves if we don’t think that they are, that teachers do sometimes abuse their power and this particular teacher does abuse his power. He’s not a particularly pleasant person at all. However, everyone should keep their eye on Snape, I’ll just say that because there is more to him than meets the eye and you will find out part of what I am talking about if you read Book 4. No, I’m not trying to drum up more sales, go to the library and get it out. I’d rather people read it.
One of our internet correspondents wondered if Snape is going to fall in love.
JKR: (JKR laughs) Who on earth would want Snape in love with them? That’s a very horrible idea.
There’s an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape
JKR: He, um, there’s so much I wish I could say to you, and I can’t because it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to you that I’m slightly stunned that you’ve said that and you’ll find out why I’m so stunned if you read Book 7. That’s all I’m going to say.
Point 2
This is a transcript from an interview with Rowling on MuggleNet. It's very clear that she was about to say something important about Snape that she didn't wants to say, because she changes the subject really quickly:
Apart from Harry, Snape is my favorite character because he is so complex and I just love him. Can he see Thestrals, and if so, why? Also, is he a pure blood wizard?
Snape’s ancestry is hinted at. He was a Death Eater, so clearly he is no Muggle-born, because Muggle-borns are not allowed to be Death Eaters, except in rare circumstances. You have some information about his ancestry there. He can see Thestrals, but in my imagination most of the older people at Hogwarts would be able to see them because, obviously, as you go through life you do lose people and understand what death is. But you must not forget that Snape was a Death Eater. He will have seen things that… Why do you love him? Why do people love Snape? I do not understand this. Again, it’s bad boy syndrome, isn’t it? It’s very depressing. [Laughter]. One of my best friends watched the film and she said, “You know who’s really attractive?” I said, “Who?” She said, “Lucius Malfoy!”
Hmmmm... clearly JKR doesn't want to reveal too much. I think that this answer definitely proves that there is something very suspicious about Snivellus.
The man is just more comfortable around Death Eaters
Point 1
On page 28 and 29 (UK kids version) there are several mentions of Wormtail actually living in Snape's house. (He has a bedroom for example) We learn that Lord Voldemort has placed Wormtail there to 'assist' Snape. So Snape is living with a Death Eater, mixing with the very people he is supposed to be fighting with the Order against. And yes, he treats Wormtail like the piece of filth he is, but he still has him in his house. If Snape was on Dumbledore's side, he would have to keep up the 'act' in front of Pettigrew 24/7 that he's working for Lord Voldemort, so he would be under a lot of pressure. As we know, Snape is a very good actor (he managed to trick Dumbledore), but he's treading a thin line if he's acting round the clock in his own home. Therefore, I don't think Snape has to 'act' in front of the Death Eaters, he's perfectly at ease. I think it could be another clue that points to the fact that Snape is, always has worked for Voldemort.
Point 2
Now I know in the world of JKR, anything is possible, BUT...if you were Snape, what would you do? Would you
A)go against your friends who all have your pureblood beliefs and follow Dumbledore, spy on the most evil and powerful wizard who happens to be an incredibly accomplished Legilimens, and make an Unbreakable Vow to kill your leader so you can spy for a side that believes you are a big-time traitor
OR
B)go with your friends against Dumbledore who does not have the same beliefs you do, spy on a man who trusts anybody that has a story and seems repentant (NOTE: I'm not bashing Dumbledore, just making a point), and make an Unbreakable Vow to help assist the killing of the leader of the opposition which will pretty much thrust yourself into your side's ultimate favor
Hmm...which would you do? Objectively, as Snape, I would do B...because it is easier and makes more sense...not saying its easy, but A is over the top.
Point 3
There was some debate over whether Snape was closely connected with the Malfoys (known Death Eaters). We know he always favored Draco, but this in itself doesn't prove a connection to Lucius. However, from Spinner's end, Chapter 2, we see again that there is a very close connection, and I think Cissy herself says that Lucius was his old friend (unfortunately, I've lent out my copy of HBP). Note that Slughorn did not favor Draco, so it’s not a "Head of Slytherin" thing.
Many Reasons it is just natural for him to be a death eater
Why does Snape hate Harry so much? Since Snape was a Death Eater, he had obvious reason to hate Harry. This kid defeated his master – the Dark Lord! And since Snape was the one to tip off the Death Eaters of the prophecy, he might feel especially bitter towards Harry. Harry could be the undoing of Voldemort.
Another possible reason for why Snape hates Harry goes back to James. Snape and James were enemies, so it’s natural for Snape to hate Harry.
Lastly, maybe Snape is jealous of Harry. Harry might not have parents, but everyone in the wizarding world (well…almost everyone) loves him. Snape, if we all agree on his miserable childhood, never had that feeling of love. Therefore, we have a bitter and jealous Snape who hates Harry.
Has similar personality traits to Voldemort
Snivellus is like Voldemort. He is alone and doesn’t like having friends
His name, description, etc
Point 1
Severus Snape. What else remains to be said?
Point 2
We know that Snape calls himself the "Half-Blood Prince". This title may show that he takes pride in straddling two worlds, the pure-blood wizard and the Muggle. Maybe he seems himself has somebody who goes between two different worlds? With this vision of himself, it is natural that he would want to straddle two different worlds as well, the dark and light, living in both, feeding from both, helping both. His chosen nickname may be an indication he was serving two masters?
Point 3
He seems to be in desperate need of a professional hair and skin consultation. JKR describes him in terms that are unattractive.
Snape had many grievances against Dumbledore
Point 1
Fudge: "He must have disapparated, Severus. We should have left somebody in the room with him. When this gets out -"
Snape: "He didn’t disapparate! Snape roared, now very close at hand. You can't apparate or disapparate inside this castle! This- has - something - to - do - with - Potter!"
Dumbledore: "Severus - be reasonable - Harry has been locked up-"
BAM.
The door of the hospital wing burst open.
Fudge, Snape, and Dumbledore came striding into the ward. Dumbledore alone looked calm. Indeed he looked as though he was quite enjoying himself. Fudge appeared angry. But Snape was beside himself.
Snivellus Snake: "OUT WITH IT POTTER," he bellowed. WHAT DID YOU DO?"
MP: "Professor Snape!" shrieked Madam Pomfrey. "Control yourself!"
Fudge: "See here Snape be reasonable," said Fudge. "This door's been locked, we just saw-"
Sectum Sempra: "THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT" Snape howled, pointing at Ron and Hermione. His face was twisted; spit was flying from his mouth.
Fudge: "Calm down, man!" Fudge barked. "You're talking nonsense!"
Soggy Sandwich: "YOU DON'T KNOW POTTER!" shrieked Snape. "HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT-"
Dumbledore: That will do, Severus" said Dumbledore quietly. "Think about what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, have these students left their beds?"
So not only has Snape completely lost it, but it's blatantly obvious that, in this situation, Dumbledore did NOT trust him with the truth.
Point 2
- When he was still young, Dumbledore made him stay quiet about Lupin being a werewolf and the incident on how he found out
When Snape accused of Harry helping Sirius, Dumbledore sided with Harry. Snape might have guessed how a person could be in two places at the same time but was unable to say anything because of Dumbledore - Because Dumbledore wouldn't let him teach his favorite subject, DADA, for 14 yrs (I think)
Point 3
Ok here is a passage from PoA when Snape shows hatred towards Dumbledore.
Snape: "It seems- almost impossible- that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express concerns when you appointed"
Dumbledore: "I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didn't reply. "I must go down to the dementors," said Dumbledore. "I said I would inform them when our search was complete."
Percy: "Didn't they want to help, sir?" said Percy.
Dumbledore: "Oh yes," said Dumbledore coldly. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of the castle while I am headmaster."
Percy looked slightly abashed. Dumbledore left the hall walking, quickly and quietly. Snape stood for a moment, watching the headmaster with an expression of deep resentment on his face; then he too left.
Snape Creates Dark Spells
While still a student at Hogwarts, Snape was not content with learning curses that already existed; he was actively creating new curses like Sectumsempra - a truly horrible thing.
Against: Snape is not evil due to his interactions with Quirrell in Snape
Point 1
aragog69-If Snape was EVIL, why would he prevent Lord Voldemort from having access to the stone? That is easy enough to answer! In book 6 Bellatrix Lestrange asked Snivelly the same question. Snape answered by saying something like: he did not want a coward like him getting all the glory. Read the chapter Spinner's End in the Half-Blood Prince and you will then understand.
Point 2
"He was in pitiable condition, very weak sharing the body of a mediocre wizard. He did not dare reveal himself to a former ally if that ally would turn him over to Dumbledore or the Ministry. I deeply regret he did not trust me. He would have returned to power 3 years sooner."
Thematic Evidence
Its all about choices
Evidence? who cares about evidence? Jo's books are about a magical world, and she is full of tricks. Trying to out-clever her is like trying to be Snape. What we need to be is Dumbledore, and think from the heart.
The only relevant question is: which themes are Ms Rowling exploring in this book. And, I think one of her main themes is illustrated by a quote from COS:
Dumbledore: " It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
Snape, staring into Dumbledore's eyes in the tower, had a choice. He could choose "good" or "evil". Snape had been straddling the fence for a long time, avoiding making a choice. Then, in this scene, he finally had to make a choice. He thought that the only choice open to him was evil. He thought his hand was finally forced. He did not want to choose evil, but, intellectually felt constrained. Dumbledore looked into his heart, knew what he was thinking. Tried to tell him, because he loved Snape, that there was still another choice - that you can always choose good. Dumbledore was not pleading for his life, but instead pleading for Snape's spiritual life. But, Snape followed his head and chose evil.
What is the evidence of that little fantasy I give above? Like I said, who cares? Jo is exploring choices. Harry chooses good, Dumbledore chooses good, even Draco ultimately chooses good. To explore, we need a character who chooses evil, even when presented with amble opportunity to choose good, even if he has proven he has the capacity to choose good. Voldemort, it seems, was born evil. Bad blood. I think Snape is needed as a foil to these. (Actually, Crouch Jr. also chose evil... I wonder if there are parallels to draw on here)
Anyway... thematically, Rowling doesn't seem to be interested in redemption. She doesn't seem interested in character evolution. I think the books are about choices and their consequences, and if so, then Snape must be guilty. (think of Harry choosing Ron over Draco, Harry choosing Gryffindor over Slytherin, Harry's mum choosing Death over Life, Draco choosing not to kill Dumbledore, the Ministry choosing to close their eyes to Voldemort's return.
More on Choices
Anyway, Tracie says that Dumbledore told Harry that to commit murder is to destroy one's own soul. She states that this is the basic understanding of the difference between which choices are good and which choices are bad. Because that's what Snape did. He chose to cast Avada Kedavra on Dumbledore. This is what Tracie says about that:
So, I must, especially in light of the real political context in which these books reside, vehemently oppose any claim that Dumbledore wanted Snape to kill him to protect either Malfoy or Harry. Yes, Dumbledore would sacrifice his own life to save Malfoy or Harry, but he also would have done the same for Snape. Just as he went to great lengths to protect Malfoy (which includes not only concealing his awareness of Malfoy's plans but also preventing him from becoming a killer), he would not choose for Snape to become a murderer. Murder is not, nor will it ever be, a noble act.
Tracie also points out that Harry, although he has been through a lot (lost his parents, Sirius, he has to live on with this prophecy, Dumbledore's murder etc. etc.), he never did turn to the Dark Arts.
Even More on Choices
We have been told repeatedly that a characteristic of Slytherin members is their self-preservation. When faced with difficult decisions, especially those concerning life and death, they will almost always choose to save their own necks. I think Slughorn's character serves as a reminder of this. He is a less harmful version of the self-promotion and self-preservation common to those of Slytherin house. Slughorn negotiates among and for the famous and the talented -- for material luxury. Snape does the same by ingratiating himself with the two most powerful wizards, but he's after power, and it's a need for power routed in vengeance.
So, yes, Snape "twitches" when Narcissa adds the clause to the Unbreakable Vow requiring him to finish Malfoy's task should Malfoy fail. But, it seems to me far more likely that this twitch resulted from Snape's acknowledgment that his relatively safe position as a double agent was in jeopardy -- that he would be forced to declare his loyalty to Voldemort rather than sacrifice himself. Unlike Lily and James, who gave their lives to save Harry's, Snape would not give his life to protect Malfoy. He killedto protect Malfoy, yes, but I believe his primary concern was his own life.
I must say that the fact that Snape was in Slytherin doesn't prove he could commit murder. But the way he behaved when he made the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa is suspicious.
The she says more interesting things about the choices that Snape could have made (which he so obviously didn't):
Just consider that Snape had a number of choices in front of him besides killing Dumbledore. He could have:
- Broken the barrier to allow the Phoenix members to assist him;
- Helped revive Dumbledore or retrieved his wand ("Accio Dumbledore's wand");
- Stunned or directly challenged the Death Eaters around Dumbledore; or
- Released Harry (if, as one editorial suggested, he deduced he was there).
While we cannot know if any of these choices would have saved Dumbledore, we do know for certain that all of them would have resulted in Snape's death for breaking the Unbreakable Vow. His choice -- murder -- even if made in precisely that moment (I doubt it, though: see stunning Flitwick) illustrates that his primary concern is his own life, and that he would openly ally himself with Voldemort rather than sacrifice himself.
Those are some very clear arguments that we could use in the trial. If you want to read the entire editorial, just go to this link:
Snape is evil
Jo writes on the effects of Childhood experiences
Point 1
Snape hates being called a coward by Harry because that’s what James did to Snape all his childhood. Snape has been scarred by James’s tormenting. I wonder if the fact that the “good side”, namely James and the Marauders, were never good to him is the reason Snape became a Death Eater. That “scarring” could have caused him to turn traitor. Another bit of “scarring” that could have turned Snape into a traitor is his upbringing. We know from Harry’s occlumency lessons that Snape did not have a good childhood. Maybe Snape’s parents were never really satisfied with their son, maybe he didn’t live up to expectations. Maybe they even abused him…whatever it is, we don’t know. But, we do know his family life stunk.
When Snape came to Hogwarts, he might have looked at Dumbledore almost as a replacement father figure. But since Dumbledore (it seems) favored the Marauders slightly, Snape hated the Marauders and possibly hated Dumbledore. Therefore he could have enough hate to kill Dumbledore.
Point 2
Harry's delving into the Pensieve and his penetration into Snape's mind during Occlumency lessons are some of the rare times that anyone sees into Snape's feelings and into his past. We tend to feel compassion for Professor Snape who, obviously, still dwells on the past. We see that his past was far from happy. He was highly unpopular and a loner. From the state of his clothing in the Pensieve he was either poor and/or neglected. He was often teased and his home life contained domestic violence. All of us, even Harry, can empathize with poor Snape. Almost all of us, at some time or another, have been the subject of ridicule. To protect himself from further humiliation and pain, he builds a fortress around his mind to prevent outside intruders and places upon himself this facade of power and perfect self-control for his adult life -- the ultimate lie and the ultimate protector of self. Severus is emotionally unsound and developmentally immature. His unstable childhood and lack of love has made him both fearful of, and containing a sense of hopelessness for love and affection. It's not that surprising that he grew up to become extremely bitter and hateful.
Now don't start to feel sorry for Snivellus. A bad childhood does not give you the right to commit murder or treason. He is still the same man who killed Dumbledore!
Point 3
In either case, we know that his childhood wasn't ideal; his father shouted at his mother and probably abused both wife and son, and I would tend to think that if he is pureblood, he isn't one of the "old wizarding families," because surely this would have given him some pride at school, and more confidence in himself. So the thought of his parents isn't a pleasant one for Snape, either, because there weren't many (or any) moments of happiness, joy, or contentment-- just loneliness and anguish. But we can speculate that there may have been times when Snape dreamed about having a happy home; he yearns for a good life, but has been stuck in a bad situation.
Point 4
In my eyes, it is more likely than not that Spinner’s End is Snape’s childhood home. I find it unlikely that it is a hideout either for the Death Eaters or for the Order because Narcissa (who is acting against Voldemort’s orders) finds it easily and Bellatrix has apparently never been there before. Bellatrix also says “he lives here,” not “he stays here” or “he is here,” but “he lives here.” Snape lives at Spinner’s End. However, I find it highly unlikely that Snape would buy a house in a “Muggle dunghill” as an adult, so it must be where he lived as a child. This has interesting implications because it means that Snape was probably raised in a Muggle house, on a Muggle street, by a Muggle father, and most likely even attended Muggle primary school.
But how was he treated by Muggles? The glimpse that we have of Snape’s father is not encouraging. If the Snapes fought often and were poor (as seems likely) and if their personalities were anything like Severus’ then I don’t think that they would have had many close friends among the people in their community. I also doubt that Severus was any more popular at his primary school than he was at Hogwarts; he would have been smart, unattractive, poor, and (at least in the later years), unpleasant. Not a good combination for popularity. No, I suspect that Snape's years in the Muggle world were at least as dismal as Harry's early years. In fact, the dislike of Muggles that almost certainly must go with following Voldemort (whether you eventually turned against him or not) may well have stemmed from Snape’s feelings about his father and his mistreatment in his younger years in general.
Point 5
During one point in Harry’s Occlumency lessons, Harry manages to see some of Snape’s memories. I am talking about both the time in the Pensieve and the time Harry broke into Snape’s mind. First, the Pensieve…
In the Pensieve, we see that Snape had a miserable time at school. Most of his “miserableness” came as a result of the Marauders treatment of him. This bullying could definitely make Snape hate the Marauders, and want revenge against them, thus pushing him into the Death Eaters open arms as a willing volunteer.
When Harry breaks into Snape’s mind, we see a sad little boy with what appears to be a rough home life. This boy was, of course, Severus Snape. Maybe his parents abused him. That could definitely make him want revenge. Or maybe Snape’s parents were parents with high expectations for their son. Those high expectations could make Snape do anything to please them…even join the Death Eaters.
Foreshadowing
Harry and the annotated potions book
In HBP, we learn about a highly annotated potions book. This book reveals to us that Snape is the HBP. The book spends a great deal of time on this potions book. Why? Because they show how, when something is useful, is needed, it is very easy to ignore the fact that it is evil. Harry got good grades and praise because he used the book. Even though Hermione warned him that "there was something dodgy about the HBP", he ignored this because he so badly wanted the HBP to be good. I think Dumbledore fell into this same trap. Snape was a very powerful wizard. He could brew the potion that controlled Lupin's werewolvism. He is the one Dumbledore turned to when his hand was damaged. Dumbledore needed Snape to be good, and thus, even though he was old and wise, he went with his heart instead of his head.
The purpose of the annotated potions is book is to prepare us for this. To show how easy it is to fall into this trap, making it more plausible when she reveals Dumbledore as well has fallen into this trap.
Table of Contents
Welcome to the trial of Severus Snape. As most of you are aware, Professor Snape is regarded a somewhat of an ambiguous character. Throughout his chequered past, there have been numerous incidents that have implicated him to be an active member of the group known as the Death Eaters. However, as you will see, there are also explanations about these incidents which would make it appear that the accused was in fact working as a spy for the group known as The Order Of The Phoenix. It will be up to the prosecution and defense teams to persuade the jury, and myself, which scenario is most likely to be the truth.
The charges against the accused are as follows:
[List of charges here]
Notes:
Jurors - If at any time you are unclear about any of the evidence that has been presented, then you can post a comment to ask for clarification. However, you cannot give an opinion on the evidence itself. As jurors, you have all agreed to refrain from taking sides - you must remain impartial at all times.
People who are not prosecuters/defenders/jurors. - You are welcome to post any comment you wish to make. However, you must follow the same rules as the jurors. If you feel you have some evidence to contribute, then go to the appropriate thread. Both the prosecution and defense official threads can be found in the Fan Fun forum. I'm sure both teams will be happy to have any extra help that is offered.
Each charge will be debated on for three days at least. This allows everyone to have a chance to have their say. Because of the time zone problem, allowing this amount of time means that both teams will have ample opportunity to counter each other's arguments.
I suggest that both teams take it in turn to post their comments.
I don't want one team having more 'screen time' than the other. Let's keep this as fair as possible.
Regarding objections - Each side can make an objection to a particular piece of evidence that they don't think should be allowed. However, if you do, you must wait for myself, or my deputy,~magiktiggr~ to make a decision as to whether the objection is to be sustained or over-ruled. Only then can the trial continue.
I hope I've covered everything!
Now, I ask the prosecution to make their opening statement. Once they have, then the defense can post theirs. When both teams have done this, I can officially start the trial tomorrow morning.
Good luck to both teams, and the accused, and may justice be served.
Table of Contents
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury;
The defendant, Severus Snape, stands before us accused of many horrible crimes. We shall prove his ultimate culpability through presentation of evidence drawn and interpreted from canon sources, and we trust that you, the jury, will do the right thing and convict him on all counts.
What could be more painful than betrayal by one whom you’ve trusted? To turn to a friend for help, and discover there an enemy instead? Our late lamented leader, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, is gone, and what we do here can never bring him back. Nevertheless, justice can still be served on the one who so cruelly murdered him – the defendant, Severus Snape.
But Dumbledore was not his only victim – no, the murder of an Order of the Phoenix member, Emmeline Vance, can be laid at his feet as well, for Snape passed on the information of her whereabouts to those who killed her. Reaching further into the past, the murders of James and Lily Potter were brought about through the eavesdropping of the defendant, in collusion with a certain rat whom we only wish were also here to stand trial today.
But how, you may ask, how was Snape able to fool Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the age? Snape is, of course, a superb Occlumens; but is it easier to fool someone who trusts, like Dumbledore, or someone who is suspicious of everyone – like Lord Voldemort?
We shall present evidence that Snape was already a cruel and sadistic person when he was still a student at Hogwarts – how else can we explain the existence of such curses as “Sectumsempra”? A generation of students has feared and loathed him, with the only exceptions the children of his fellow Death Eaters.
Yes – his fellow Death Eaters. For Snape never truly repented; never truly repudiated his ties to evil; never truly turned away from the Dark Arts. He is, as he always was, Voldemort’s man through and through.
Table of Contents
(Note: this statement was not used because it was received one hour after the above statement was posted. It’s here because it’s good anyway!)
At the dead of night after an evening in pursuit of the demise of Lord Voldemort and in haste to protect the pupils of Hogwarts the life of the greatest wizard of the age Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore came to an end, foreshortened by murder in the first. A man murdered whilst protecting an innocent, a man whose character was beyond all slur and question and whose death is a blow for all wizard-kind.
As we are about to prove beyond all doubt, it was a crime made all the more heinous and deplorable by the manner in which it was committed, an unarmed man murdered by someone to whom he had given a second chance and who had betrayed that trust in the most complete example of base treachery that this court shall ever behold. The defendant Severus Snape on the other hand is a man whose few virtues have often been questioned at the higher levels and he is a man whose conviction of membership and participation in the activities of the death-eaters was only overturned on the basis of a vote of confidence in him by the aforementioned deceased.
As the prosecution we shall prove motive, intent, and profit on the part of the defendant and also pending the result of this trial shall move for a charge of treason to be brought against him on the grounds of the murder of the leader of the order of the phoenix being treasonous.
These are the facts ladies and gentlemen:
- Albus Dumbledore is dead at the hand of another
- The injuries he incurred upon falling from the tower were either so close to death that they are not distinctly noticeable as post-mortem or they were the cause of death
- The person of Severus Snape did cause the death of Albus Dumbledore as is described by irrefutable evidence.
- Severus Snape is a known associate of proven Death Eaters
- Severus Snape fled the scene of the crime
This is as we the prosecution see it a case of simple alternatives. Either the defendant did wilfully and with malice aforethought murder the victim for all the reasons we shall provide or the defendant killed the victim on the victim’s own instructions for a reason which was sufficiently important to trade the life of the only wizard Lord Voldemort ever feared for, a scenario both unlikely and fanciful in the extreme.
Table of Contents
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you hold in your hands the fate of a loyal, trustworthy, downtrodden, and misunderstood man. He has been linked to and accused of some of the most heinous crimes, in each of which his guilt cannot be proved 100%. The only ones who know the truth about the events that have occurred are Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape himself. Since neither is present to testify, it is up to you to weigh the evidence and realize that there is an immense amount of reasonable doubt regarding Severus Snape’s supposedly evil actions throughout the years.
Severus Snape’s actions have been wrongly interpreted by most who were present that fateful night. The defense will prove to you the jury that there is reasonable doubt as to whether Snape used to Avada Kedavra curse with malicious intent to kill. The evidence will prove that Severus Snape used Avada Kedevra or a non-verbal spell similar in aesthetics on Dumbledore on behalf of Dumbledore’s orders. After weighing the evidence that the defense will give throughout the trial, you will see that Severus Snape was indeed acting upon Dumbledore’s orders and therefore must be found “not guilty” of the charges placed against him. Severus’ loyalty even goes as far back as before the Potter family was murdered. Severus heard the entire prophecy, and was instructed by Dumbledore to only reveal part of the prophecy to Voldemort. Without Severus acting on Dumbledore’s orders, Voldemort would not have marked his equal and created the one who was meant to destroy him.
There is also solid evidence that shows that Severus Snape has been loyally working for Dumbledore throughout the years. And ask yourselves, is Severus Snape truly capable of defeating the greatest wizard ever with a simple spell? Why would Albus Dumbledore, a man who refers to death as “the next great adventure” plead for his life? The defense will prove that the charges of treason and espionage are also unfounded. There are many canon bits of evidence that if glossed over mean nothing; if these bits of evidence are placed together, the entire scenario can be seen, and the innocence of our client becomes apparent.
Ladies and gentlemen, open your minds and you will see that there is more to the situation than any of us really knows. There are so many hints that point towards Severus Snape’s innocence, and we will show you those pieces of evidence. If at any point you realize that you are questioning the evidence supporting Severus Snape’s guilt, you must find him “not guilty”. We are not asking you to embrace Severus as a brother; we simply ask that you weigh the evidence fairly and decide whether or not Severus has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is why the defense asks that you find Severus Snape “not guilty” on all accounts.
Table of Contents
1. Posting procedure
a. ONLY the following people are cleared to post in the trial thread with evidence: Leanne, Lorrie, Richard, (Leslie when she gets back); Eleonora, Amelyne, Robyn, Hannah. (Daniel was originally on this list, but I got an email from him essentially resigning any official post.)2. Summaries
b. Before posting anything, check in on the prosecution thread to make sure someone else isn’t about to and/or discuss what’s about to be posted. In your post, make sure you are well-organized, spell-checked, and clear. DO NOT use abbreviations for ANY person, place or spell (DADA and book abbreviations are okay, e.g. PoA, HBP).
c. All official evidence posts will use only the official signatures; the URLs are at the bottom of the “project”. The “Lead Prosecutor” one is for Leanne, Lorrie, Richard, and Leslie only. Everyone else, use the “Prosecutor” one. They’re totally unobjectionable.
d. If, somehow, you do end up posting at the same time as someone else, whoever posted second should IMMEDIATELY edit their post and leave the following in its place: “Edit: This point adequately covered by my colleague’s simultaneous post.” Those following via email will still get it, but at least we won’t unnecessarily clutter up the trial thread.
a. This meeting was supposed to be summarized (see pg. 45), but that didn’t happen, so I’m doing it now.3. Miscellaneous
b. Secretaries should have a rotating schedule of summarizing what’s going on in the trial (to be organized by Happy Hedwig – see pg. 49).
c. Sarah is our official “questions and notices” poster for the trial thread – she’s been doing a really good job and I see no reason to change unless she doesn’t want to do it.
d. If anyone has a question about evidence in the project, the most likely person to have an answer is the one who investigated that charge. So, Ashley was in charge of the AK count and Treason; Hannah of Conspiracy and Espionage; Robyn (and Daniel) of Murder/Manslaughter, and Eleonora of editorials and background.
a. Caramel iced lattes are the official coffee of the prosecution team. ;-)Table of Contents
b. Be nice to each other.
c. Remember to have fun! Take the effort seriously, try not to let people down, but this is supposed to be fun. Okay? :-)
List of Prosecution Members
Note that emails are not hotlinks - do not abuse this information. Anyone who wants me to remove their email, just ask; there are NO external links to this page, however, so no one who doesn't have the address can find it. If I forgot anyone, or made mistakes, let me know!
The following signatures are for free use in the trial thread - one for the Head/Leads and the other for anyone else presenting evidence.
| Screen Name | First Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aleatha Ingleton | Leslie | iomew AT yahoo.ca | Head |
| ViolaNut | Leanne | LRViola226 AT aol.com | Lead |
| Lorrianna | Lorrie | Lorriannas AT hotmail.com | Lead |
| APWBD | Richard | richard_oakley AT tinyworld.co.uk | Lead |
| MatayNiSnape | Amelyne | amelyne_gangano2000 AT yahoo.com | Co-Head of Investigations |
| Saminal | Sam | sampalds AT excite.com | Co-Head of Investigations |
| Eleonora83 | Eleonora | eleonora1983 AT hotmail.com | Investigator |
| sapphire_039 | Robyn | birdy AT chorus.net | Investigator |
| Rons_girl | Ashley | squeaky_3030 AT hotmail.com | Investigator |
| D A Member | Hannah | peterlickiss AT btconnect.com | Investigator |
| Aragog69 | Daniel | djheidenberg AT msn.com | Investigator |
| Professora Blake | Sarah | saraheno AT covad.net | Secretary |
| Happy Hedwig | ??? | ??? | Secretary |
| Rosalind Franklin | ??? | emgirl33 AT excite.com | Secretary |
| Arbella | Megan? | meganm@@ AT excite.com | Secretary |
| Wizard Allen | Allen? | jblseries18 AT yahoo.com | Recruiter/Moderator |
Note that emails are not hotlinks - do not abuse this information. Anyone who wants me to remove their email, just ask; there are NO external links to this page, however, so no one who doesn't have the address can find it. If I forgot anyone, or made mistakes, let me know!
The following signatures are for free use in the trial thread - one for the Head/Leads and the other for anyone else presenting evidence.
| List of Links | List of Charges | Evidence |
| Judge’s Opening Statement | Prosecution Opening Statement (Leanne’s) | Prosecution Opening Statement (Richard’s) |
| Defense Opening Statement | List of Prosecution Team Members | Meeting Summary |