More HBP thoughts.

[valis2]

Okay, in Spinner's End no one ever says what, exactly, Snape is agreeing to do. We don't know that he's supposed to kill Ddore. Snape might not even know. He does say one thing that is somewhat damning:

"He intends me to do it in the end, I think. But he is determined that Draco should try first. You see, in the unlikely event that Draco succeeds, I shall be able to remain at Hogwarts a little longer, fulfilling my useful role as spy." [Snape]

Either:

a) He knows what the job is, and he is the Dark Lord's through and through. He is right, after all, that Draco is supposed to "try first".

or

b) He has no idea what they're talking about (to whom would he report, after all, in his "useful role as spy", if they kill Ddore?), but he is desperately trying to figure it out, which leads to:

b1) He tells Ddore, who figures it out, and they eventually plan it all together;

or

b2) He is trying to figure it out from Draco, who is practising Occlumency and thwarting him, and he doesn't really figure it out until he's on the Astronomy Tower, and then it's too late, and he hates that he's been put into this position, and the revulsion is because he is, well, upset that this is the job, and when Ddore says "Please" he realizes that he has to do it. ETA: In the overheard conversation between Draco & Severus, Severus mentions that Draco has not come to his office despite many requests, AND Severus even point blank asks him "What are your plans?" and "Confide in me" and such, and never mentions the job itself, though that could be because of Ddore's presence in the castle.

Also, the question that has been driving me mad:

It takes two people to go to the island in Riddle's cave; one person to drink the stuff and die, and one person to spirit the Horcrux away. If RAB stands for Regulus, then WHO WENT WITH HIM? Because how did he get the locket away from the cave otherwise? And is this how Regulus died, or did he sacrifice someone else to get his hands on the Horcrux and stash the fake locket? And how did he get the basin full again? Snape might work somehow in this scenario, though I'm not certain of the timing.

I knew as soon as Mundungus Fletcher was mentioned as stealing Grimmauld valuables that it would be relevant, and sure enough, there is a mention of a heavy gold locket in OotP that no one can open, and what do you want to bet that Dung hocked it already (if RAB is Regulus) and it'll be difficult to get it back.

Argh!

Track 1? or Track 3?

ETA: And straussmonster said it even better here about the possibility that Harry is a horcrux, himself, or just a botched attempt at one that backfired.

Comments

[mariannelee.livejournal.com]

Or, the quote could indicate exactly what it seems to indicate -- Snape knew exactly what she was talking about, and had already talked to Dumbledore about it. When the part of the vow came where he had to promise to fulfill the mission, he hesitated because he did not want to do it, but went ahead because by that point he and Dumbledore had already discussed it, and he knew that was what the headmaster wanted him to do. Even if he, personally was unhappy about it.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yep, it can be read both ways entirely. He could be hesitating because he has no idea what it is that needs to be done, or he could be hesitating because he did not want to do it.

I don't know...it's gonna be a tough one to think about...

[gillieweed.livejournal.com]

I see it as Snape knowing all along exactly what's going on. Add to that the distinct possibility that he previously made an Unbreakable Vow with DD promising to do whatever DD deemed necessary at planning time.
Hence the unbreakable trust.
Hence Phineas' "I should think..." Did Phineas witess this bonding?

The problem with Harry being a horcrux is that we really need to assume VD had completed his soul distribution prior to attempting to do in Harry.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm really wondering how Snape is going to convince Harry of all this when the time comes, too.

And the horcrux...yes, that is a difficulty. I'm not convinced that Harry is a proper horcrux...he's probably the result of a botched attempt. After all, Ddore does say something about how the curse backfiring left some bit of Voldemort within him...

[gillieweed.livejournal.com]

the curse backfiring left some bit of Voldemort within him

His bad attitude! LOL
Sorry but he's a mouthy little brat even if he did finally give up the CAPSLOCK of rage.