The Case Against Evil
an essay by Sarah P.
So. Its around eleven o'clock in the evening of July 16th, 2005, and you're sitting in disbelief, in shock, in disappointment; tears flowing down your face in utter astonishment. Perhaps you could hardly read the last few pages, feeling so angry at what had just happened. If you're like me, you were angry, upset - ready to change houses, not read book seven - and felt betrayed that someone you had trusted for so long, someone you believed in, had commited such an atrocity.
And then, if you're like me, you realised what utter nonsense this was. Severus Snape, evil? Its not possible. After the words of Order of the Phoenix? After the events of Goblet of Fire? How could this man suddenly choose the Death Eaters for his allegience?
That answer is simple: he didn't.
There are many theories and speculations defending the actions of the former potions master, resplendent in their minute details and canon justification, but the truth, I believe, lies in one little sentence.
"No, Draco," said Dumbledore quietly. "It is my mercy, and not yours, that matters now."
pg 592, American Version.
There is no doubt in my mind that Dumbledore and Snape knew exactly what had to happen in the space of a few moments. What Harry Potter saw as themurder of his greatest guardian, Dumbledore and Snape saw as a sacrifice with no way out. Snape did this because he had to - whatever the reason, whatever the charge, whatever the consequences.
If Snape didn't do it, the Order would lose their only way of knowing what the Death Eaters are doing. If Snape didn't do it, Draco, Snape, and probably the entirety of the Malfoy family would have been killed. If Snape didn't do it, Dumbledore would have blood on his hands - and Draco would assuredly join the Death Eaters, causing more strife within the wizarding community, and everyone would know about it.
Voldemort's greatest weapon is to spread disharmony amongst those who love one another. Snape did not choose the easy path; he chose the right path - and what a hard path this will be.
Imagine the unspoken words passing between two accomplished Legilimens:
Please. Protect Harry. Save Draco.
I can't kill you. Don't ask me to do this!
Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the hard lines of his face.
"Severus...please..."
pg 595, American Version.
And moments later, Severus Snape performed the most difficult thing he has ever been a part of. Moments later, he had killed the one man who had ever trusted him, the man who he could trust. Moments later, Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, screamed and cursed and demanded revenge - and called him a 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!"
pg 604, American Version.
Such sadness. Harry will hunt Snape down, and more than likely, Snape will welcome his death. In these dangerous times ahead, I stand with the former Potions Master. I stand with the Prince. I will never leave his side - I know that his actions are among the most courageous ever undertaken in the Wizarding World. This is loyalty; this is love.
I Believe In Severus Snape.
Do you stand with him?