Hey everyone, welcome to another installment
of Harry Potter Theory. In this video, we’re
going to be jumping all the way back to the
Half-Blood Prince, and the fateful scene where
Snape murders Dumbledore. One thing that I’ve
seen questioned in the comment section, is
why Dumbledore seemingly ‘pleaded’ with
Snape before he uttered the words of the killing
curse that would end Dumbledore’s life.
Was he just acting?
From the Half Blood Prince:
But somebody else had spoken Snape's name,
quite softly. "Severus..." The sound frightened
Harry beyond anything he had experienced all
evening, Dumbledore was pleading.
“Severus . . . please . . .”
So, why would he plead with Snape? Was he
having second thoughts, or was this just a
final illusion that he wanted to create? The
most obvious answer is yes, this was all just
part of the act, and Dumbledore was playing
the role of helpless dying old man in his
final moments. Another, more obvious reason,
is that Snape was hesitant to kill Dumbledore
- this was no easy task for Snape, and it
was the last thing that he wanted to do. Dumbledore
had to plead with Snape to go through with
it, just to make sure that it was done, and
that Draco’s soul would be protected.
But one other thing that I think is overlooked,
is that Dumbledore really didn’t want anyone
else to be the one to murder him. If he was
going to die, he wanted to die with some dignity,
and he wanted to die instantly. If it were
up to any of the other death eaters, then
Dumbledore may have faced torture before death.
The following excerpt supports this:
"You alone know whether it will harm your
soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation,"
said Dumbledore. "I ask this one, great favour
to you, Severus, because death is coming for
me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish
bottom of this year's league. I confess I
should prefer a quick, painless exit to the
protracted and messy affair it will be if,
for instance, Greyback is involved - I hear
Voldemort has recruited him? Or dear Bellatrix,
who likes to play with her food before she
eats it."
His tone was light but his blue eyes pierced
Snape as they had frequently pierced Harry,
as though the soul they discussed was visible
to him. At last Snape gave another curt nod.
Dumbledore clearly expresses that he would
much prefer a ‘quick, painless exit’,
as many of us would, and I think that when
he pleads with Snape, there is also an undertone
of this desire in his voice. There are lots
of reasons for why Snape should be the one
to kill him, and receiving a ‘painless exit’
via the killing curse is one of them. Dumbledore
is clearly horrified at the prospect of what
someone like Bellatrix or Fenrir Greyback
would do with him.
"Is that you, Fenrir?" asked Dumbledore.
"That's right," rasped the other. "Pleased
to see me, Dumbledore?"
"No, I cannot say that I am..."
Fenrir Greyback grinned, showing pointed teeth.
Blood trickled down his chin and he licked
his lips slowly, obscenely.
"But you know how much I like kids, Dumbledore."
"Am I now to take it that you are attacking
even without the full moon? This is most unusual...you
have developed a taste for human flesh that
cannot be satisfied once a month?"
"That's right," said Greyback. "Shocks you,
that, doesn't it, Dumbledore? Frightens you?"
"Well, I cannot pretend it does not disgust
me a little," said Dumbledore.
[...]
And Greyback raised a yellow fingernail and
picked at his front teeth, leering at Dumbledore.
"I could do you for afters, Dumbledore..."
Under normal circumstances, Dumbledore wasn’t
scared of Fenrir Greyback, Bellatrix Lestrange,
Voldemort, or any of the death eaters for
that matter. But, in these unique circumstances,
where he knew death was imminent, the prospect
of Fenrir Greyback ripping apart his body
was not particularly enticing. For this reason,
when he pleaded with Snape, he was also speaking
out of self-interest. He wanted snape to kill
him, he wanted draco’s soul to be preserved,
and he also wanted a painless death.
And that’s it for this video! If you enjoy
the content, please be sure to like the video
and subscribe to the channel. Until next time,
YER A WIZARD ARRY.
