For the Record...

[rj_anderson]

I am going to lj-cut the following remarks because they involve an idea I thought of two days ago and have been entertaining in my mind off and on ever since, and even though I have still yet to see or read any of the purported HBP "spoilers", this idea of mine seems awfully like something that might be one of them. So, just in case it is a spoiler, don't click on the following if you want to remain unspoiled, but...

It popped into my head suddenly the other day, while I was cleaning the shower, that Snape might well be the one to kill Dumbledore (note how there is already zero doubt in my mind that somebody will kill Dumbledore in this book, whether it's Snape or not). If this is the case, I can see this being Harry and Snape's last and most terrible misunderstanding (note how there is zero doubt in my mind that it is a misunderstanding). Because unless JKR specifically tells us otherwise (and if she doesn't, I do not want to know, please and thank you, I will read it for myself), there's no way I'm going to believe that Dumbledore and Snape didn't hash the whole thing out together long ago.

If Snape's been acting as a double agent since the end of GoF, of course he would have to face the possibility of being one day put in a position where he'd have to kill Dumbledore as "proof" of his loyalty to Voldemort, and of course Dumbledore would have figured that out as well, and (knowing him) kindly told Severus not to worry about it, please, but to do whatever he felt was necessary for the sake of the Cause. Which, of course, Harry would never accept, and is guaranteed to react to IN ALL CAPS until and unless (I expect it will be merely "until", myself) he hears directly from Dumbledore himself (either in a letter or in some other magical form of communication) that All This Was Planned. So that might take us into Book Seven, because you have to know no way in the world is Snape going to say anything about it or betray his true feelings to Harry, being just as perverse and inscrutable about his personal business as Francis Crawford of Lymond ever was (and didn't some of his actions look awfully damning too?).

And now I'm babbling so I'll shut up -- but I just wanted this down as proof that if it should turn out to be true that Snape kills Dumbledore and it's not just a wacky idea of mine, I not only anticipated it but am not in the least perturbed by it, and it hasn't shaken my conviction that Snape is truly a good guy after all. Unless, of course, JKR unequivocally says that he's evil, but I really don't anticipate that from her, myself. She already dispensed with that in Book One: it's just Harry, who is a sweet boy but such a blockhead sometimes, who can't seem to figure out the point.

Oh, and if anybody tries to post real spoilers or what they have been led to believe are real spoilers in the comments: please don't. Like I said, this is an idea of my own, not something I want to see confirmed or denied by anything outside the text of HBP itself. Thank you.

Comments

[cornfields.livejournal.com]

Your theory seems just as plausible as the other "spoilers" I've seen kicking around LJ. And I'm afraid you may be right. *sigh*

It seems inevitable that Dumbledore will make an exit, and I think that makes me much sadder than I was about Sirius.

[(Anonymous)]

Ouch--but all too possible, I'm afraid. And I wonder how it would fit with the "if you are prepared," etc. from Dumbledore to Snape.

Gad, how heartbreaking. But it makes sense. It would provide Snape with virtually bulletproof cover as a spy and there's a chance that he'd meet a somewhat easier death at Snape's hands than if Voldemort took on the job himself or left it to someone like Lucius Malfoy. And I can see Snape salving his conscience (as much as he could under such circumstances) with just such reasoning as well. I keep hearing a Richard Adams line in my head, about "the bitter solace of integrity."

Mary Anne

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I was just saying tonight to lizbee that if Snape and Dumbledore had talked together about this possibility (indeed one might say inevitability), it gives an entirely new complexion to the famous exchange in GoF, and the ashen look on Snape's face. He's not white because he's scared of going back to Voldemort (though he probably is quite apprehensive too), he's white because he knows Dumbledore has just signed his own death warrant, and that he's been appointed Lord High Executioner.

I am already dying to rewrite IWS 6 now, with this whole new layer of angst... but I would probably be prudent to read the book first. :)

[kizmet-42.livejournal.com]

Let me beta.... pullllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssssse.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

LOL. Rest assured you'll be on the list if I actually do write the thing. :)

[(Anonymous)]

Prudent, yes. But even if this whole speculation becomes non-canonical in the next 48 hours, it'd still be one heck of an AU fic. ;-)

Mary Anne

[sreya.livejournal.com]

Well, even if Snape isn't the one to kill Dumbledore, that doesn't mean they couldn't have discussed and agreed upon the possibility.\

(dang, I didn't think about new HP when I loaded up my icons with Star Wars for the summer!)

[amanuet.livejournal.com]

Wow...I never even thought of that! My goodness...

And to think about it, it does give new countenance to Snape's reaction in GoF. It also would be the biggest (and final) misconception passed between Snape and Harry.

In light of that, I would love to run something by you as well, but it pertains to the cover of the deluxe edition and some things revealed on JKR's "Do Not Disturb" sign a while back. Just curious if you would like to hear them or if you will kill me with Avada Kedavra. I don't *think* they are spoilerish, but just curious...

Excellent Theory, tho. Cheers and happy harry watching!

Kryssy

[amanuet.livejournal.com]

Another thing I just thought of...although...it has something to do with what Jim Dale said in his interview on NBC. Let me know if you saw that and if I can continue.

Now you've got the cogs turning...

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Go ahead and speculate -- I don't mind as long as it isn't based on anything you or somebody else has actually read in the book. I looked at the front covers too. :)

[amanuet.livejournal.com]

That's just the thing...I wasn't sure if you had seen the WHOLE cover of the deluxe edition...but here it goes.


Potential Spoiler: BE CAUTIOUS! Highlight to read:


RJA, since you brought up the whole "Snape-kill-Dumbledore" plot that is now forever stuck in my brain, perhaps he is showing Harry what he intends to have happen. I think this happens at the beginning of book six. Any thoughts? Oh yes, and if it is too spoilery, I permit usage of the unforgiveables on both this comment and myself.

*Is thoroughly excited*

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I suspect that D. is more likely to keep Harry (and therefore the reader) in the dark about his plans in regard to his death... after all, it would be important for Harry's reaction to be absolutely genuine, or Voldemort would have good reason to be suspicious.

[ravensnape.livejournal.com]

Funny how you went for Dumbledore, while I focused on Voldemort. We all realize that Harry's wand will not work properly against Voldemorts and I've often wondered if Snape will be put into a position to in some way, shape or form, 'poison' Voldemort enough so that Harry will be able to kill him. I'd just love to see Godric's sword ran right through Voldemorts gullet, because obviously he has no heart.

[malabud.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! *shivers* RJ, you are evil, but in a good way, of course. This sounds all too plausible. Twenty-three hours to go!

[(Anonymous)]

I think that you have hit the nail on the head, R J Anderson.
I think that this is a plot hatched up by DD and Snape during GOF, when both knew that Voldie was on his way back. It certainly explains the look on Snape's and DD's aces when DD said 'Severus, you know what I must ask you to do ' etc.
Anyway, if HBP ends with DD's death at the hands of Snape then I will not beleive that Snape has truly returned to evil ways unless I hear it from the lips of Ms Rowling herself.
Plus, this plot does tie up with what Jim Dale has said about the ending, plus the back cover of the US edition.

PS, would love you to updte your Snape / Maud stories, or even write more about them - I alsolutely love them.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words! No immediate plans for more Snape & Maud, but you never know what new canon will bring...

[crazyluke.livejournal.com]

Hi, just curious, as I am never up on HP fandom or speculation or anything, but what has Jim Dale said about the ending (and are we talking HBP or the entire series?!), and what is on the back cover of the US edition?

[(Anonymous)]

A further thought--that would also fit in with why JKR was so insistent that she HAD to let Sirius go. There are any number of reasons why she would say that, all consistent with the story arc, but I was just thinking that if things pan out as you say, Sirius would kill Snape. Period. End of statement.

Not that there wouldn't be plenty of other contenders for that, Harry first among them.

Mary Anne

[mandrill.livejournal.com]

Great theory! :=)

Remember too, Snape's First-Year speech about where he mentioned he could "stopper death." If Snape did have to kill Dumbledore, as per an arrangement, then perhaps Dumbledore might be taking a potion that would hold off true death.

Sucks to be Snape, don't it?

[hms-yowling.livejournal.com]

I hadn't really given too much thought to how Dumbledore might die because I feel rather "meh" at the prospect. But tie Snape to it?

Well, at the very least, we can get really good Snape-fic out of such a situation.

Weird how -- if this is indeed the case -- Snape, of all the characters in Rowling's world, most embodies the trope "unrecognized (fe)male suffering."

And Rowling is surprised that Snape appeals to a certain type of female reader?

And, heh -- just think of the excuse this gives Snape for his blistering bad temper throughout the novels.

Snape, thinks: Everyone hates me already and I'm going to have to "kill" Dumbledore and everyone will *believe* that I did and that I've been a traitor all along when I've done everything I can to stop the madman -- by which I mean Voldemort, in this instance -- and so I'm going to be even more reviled and loathed and despised, and what did Black ever do besides set up the Potters for their deaths and everyone loves *him* and Lupin, the fool, should have *told* someone what was going on and maybe Pettigrew would be in Azbakan instead of at Voldemort's right hand, and it's NOT MY FAULT!

Snape, says: Longbottom, you incompetent MORON! And Potter, you self-centered brat, 100 points from Griffindor for your incessant mouth-breathing.

Re: Sucks to be Snape, don't it?

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Yeah, exactly. On all points.

Not to mention that I think both Dumbledore and Snape may have agreed that it would be best if Harry's horrified, furious reaction to D.'s death were absolutely genuine -- and therefore it would be necessary to keep Harry in the dark that D. was going to die and S. was going to kill him, but it would also be preferable if Harry had reason to truly dislike and mistrust Snape. This may be one of the reasons why D. has allowed Snape such free rein in the classroom when it comes to Potter-baiting.

Re: Sucks to be Snape, don't it?

[hms-yowling.livejournal.com]

Hell yes. Harry's loathing for Snape must continue, especially for the satisfaction of those who love to write angsty HP/SS.

Meanwhile, I can't help but think about how, if this spec is true, it might impact with that other Snape identity spoiler/spec that's been floating around for, literally, years. I think if this spec is true, however, we won't find out till Book 7.

(I'm sure everyone has heard and dismissed this theory, but I'll link to a post (http://www.livejournal.com/users/hms_yowling/4294.html) in my journal to avoid spoiling anyone.)