Angela Harlem said:
I dont know that Dumbledore DID completely trust Snape in that, Dumbledore is the wisest and most clever of certainly the 2 of them, and arguably in the entire wizarding world - yet, Dumbledore appointed him the job of Defence Against the Dark Arts knowing full well that no teacher has ever lasted in that role for more than a year since Riddle left, and along with that, also took his first real opportunity to learn Harry on the history of Riddle/Voldemort and educate him in order to help Harry eventually beat him. I wonder if in some yet undisclosed way, Dumbledore (knowing that he was bloody old and it would soon enough be the end regardless) knew that the year's end would see most likely Dumbledore's own end/retirement/incapacitation, Snape's coming to a crossroads (in choosing alliance fully with the Order, or fully with Voldemort), Harry coming of age and finally taking on the job of the Chosen One and thus taking Voldemort out or begining the process fully...
A lot of things dont add up. I know there are holes in my latest theory, but there seems to be holes in nearly everything. Some glaring. Slytherin produces more Dark wizards than any of the other houses. Snape is tied to this house in more than just the role of Head of House.
I think Malfoy will take on interesting developments as the next book progresses. His bidding to a Dark Lord who has absolutely no interest in saving his father will come to a head, as Malfoy has already shown he lacks the gumption needed to be one of Voldemort's true right hands'. His mother is also causing him to get torn between loyalties.
Your point about DD (for
Dumble
Dore) assiging Snape the Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA) job is a good one. Everyone knew that no one has held that position for more than a year. So after all these years, why give it to Snape now? What made this year special?
Also interesting was that because of Snape's transfer to that position, Harry was now able to take all the classes necessary to become an Auror. Hmmm....
How convenient!
Clearly there was quite a bit of planning going on here. The argument Snape had with DD (that Hagrid overheard) suggests that DD and Snape had made their own version of the "Unbreakable Vow". Now, as that "vow" is dark in nature, DD would never have made one with Snape. DD was all about doing good - never once using the Unforgivable Curses against people (otherwise, he probably would've been able to kill Voldemort years ago). But DD clearly trusted Snape -and this trust made have meant DD was "pleading" with Snape to kill him - per their pre-arranged agreement (hence the argument) - when the time came. As you pointed out, DD was asking for Snape after drinking the potion, not anyone else. DD may have known the time was at hand for Snape to complete his promise to DD.
If you recall, to do any Unforgivable Curse, one really has to mean it. Hence, Snape *had* to have this look of other hatred in order to even attempt to perform the Avada Kedavra. But there is quite a bit of confusion here. After Snape said the curse, DD flew up in the air and over a railing (if I recall). When Voldemort did that same curse in Book 4 on poor Cedric, Cedric just keels over dead - no launching into the air. So why did DD fly up in the air? Also recall that DD has a HUGE connection with Pheonixes - and indeed, Harry saw what appeared to be a Pheonix leave DD's casket/grave/body. Lastly, the fact that Snape prevented anyone from attacking Harry, refused to take Harry with him (if Snape was truly serving Voldemort, why not just scoop up Harry and bring him to Voldemort?) and even "taught" Harry a final lesson (about using unspoken spells so that Harry won't be blocked) strongly suggests that, again, there was a pre-arranged agreement between DD and Snape. Snape had to "kill" DD in order to stay close to Voldemort, but this was part of the plan. All of this also suggests that we probably haven't seen the last of DD.
Finally, I feel DD didn't want poor Draco to be a "killer". DD even told Draco that he could be "protected" if Draco would just come behind DD (before Snape's attack). Hmmm... was Snape's attack on DD just a masquerade? Did the potion that DD drank actually protect him from Snape's curse - even though right not it appears otherwise? If Draco had stepped behind DD, would DD have created the illusion that Draco and DD were both killed? Perhaps DD was "pleading" with Snape to ensure that Snape not only fulfills his agreement with DD, but also prevents Draco from becoming a "killer".
As many have written, DD's death seems most ignoble and abrupt - especially for what is supposedly the most powerful wizard of the era. Why would DD have his last spell be an unspoken one to freeze Harry? What was the point in that? And even after Draco blasted DD's wand away, surely such a powerful wizard as DD could have scooped it right back up with an unspoken spell. Clearly DD wanted Harry "safe" and "out of the way" and wanted Snape to go through this whole apparent "charade" of killing him.
Rowling stated Draco and Harry will have to work together in Book 7, which makes sense. It appears that Voldemort cared little about Lucius (for his perceived bumbling) and Draco (Voldemort fully expected Draco to die in his attempt to kill DD). So Draco has no reason to be loyal to Voldemort. In fact, I'm sure Voldemort will be quite unhappy with Draco for not killing DD, even though DD is apparently dead. So all the more reason for Draco to fear for his life and side up with Harry in defeating Voldemort.
Lastly, I liked the idea someone mentioned about Neville even killing off Voldemort. Just because Voldemort *chose* Harry as his apparent equal and nemesis, doesn't mean he chose correctly. Maybe Neville is really the "chosen one" who will ultimately cast the final spell that kills Voldemort. Additionally, it appears that Aunt Petunia, who so loathes magic, may not be quite as innocent as she seems. It's already been revealed that she had a pact with DD. Perhaps she's a squibb? Or perhaps she does have some magical ability herself, but refused to accept it?
Book 7 should be quite interesting!
But that theory would definitely add even more meaning to it.
