You know how Snape and Dumbledore were overheard arguing earlier in the year? About how Snape didn't want to do something but Dumbledore said he must? I think that Dumbledore basically planned his own death, and had Snape do it. Snape didnt' want to do it, but had to, becauser of the Unbreakable Vow, and Dumbledore's own orders, and now Snape had to run off with the Death Eaters.

I also think there is more to the story, of why Dumbledore trusted Snape so completely. I'm sorry, a story of "I didn't know Voldemort would do that and now I feel bad" is not a good enough story to make him trustworthy. There is more to it, I just know it.

Anyone have any thoughts? Oh, and I feel sorry for Malfoy, too. I don't like him and think he's an @$$, but I wish Dumbledore could have talked him down before his "death" (if that's what it really was)

Have you noticed that everyone who dies from that curse dies with their eyes open? But not Dumbledore....his eyes were closed. And his Phoenix sure sang for a long time, didn't he?

I'm pretty sure Dumbledore was a dead man from the potion. Not literally dead, but he knew he was dying and asked Snape to finish the job so Draco wouldn't become a murderer. I am also wondering if Dumbledore was able to get to Draco...it kinda seemed like he was getting there.

I wonder what will become of Hagrid. He is so heartbroken over Dumbledore. :(

Dumbledore said that he knew all along Draco was trying to kill him, so I'm assuming that he told Snape that he (Snape) had to stay alive and in order to stay alive, he would have to kill Dumbledore before Draco did. I can imagine it would be hard for Snape because I think Dumbledore had a calming influence on him, but maybe this will mature Snape enough that he can get past his hatred of James and help Harry. Who knows? Yeah, I do feel sorry for Snape, have for some time. But he is a jerk too. So I don't feel THAT sorry for him! LOL!

Dawn, I think your theory is absolutely right. Even though Dumbledore said that when he makes mistakes they are doozys, I think that was all part of the setup to keep the readers off track as to the truth of Snape and Dumbledore's relationship.

As for feeling sorry for him, yes, I guess I do - but he is such a hard person to like!

Yeah, I do feel sorry for Snape, have for some time. But he is a jerk too. So I don't feel THAT sorry for him! LOL!

Oh, yeah, definitely a jerk! I just feel bad for him that he had to go off with the Death Eaters, and that all of the OoP, who didn't like him much, anyway, now think he's an evil traitor. When I don't think he is. He's just a really grouchy good guy.

Alway hated Malfoy, too, but with him crying the bathroom and Myrtle trying to comfort him........I sure wish he didn't have to go with the Death Eaters, too. I guess even the meanest people are innocent kids once.

I think that Dumbledore certainly has more of a reason to trust Snape that he is not revealing - possibly for Snape's protection. It is hinted at in a number of places - there is one spot in particular where he seems on the verge of telling Harry, but then pauses and says basically, it will have to be enough for you that I trust him.

Have you noticed that everyone who dies from that curse dies with their eyes open? But not Dumbledore....his eyes were closed.

Ooh ... I hadn't thought of that.

I think that Dumbledore certainly has more of a reason to trust Snape that he is not revealing - possibly for Snape's protection. It is hinted at in a number of places - there is one spot in particular where he seems on the verge of telling Harry, but then pauses and says basically, it will have to be enough for you that I trust him.

I think it has something to do with Lily, and that's why DD didn't want to tell Harry (perhaps because Harry wouldn't like knowing that Snape and Lily were involved before James and Lily were?).

I seriously doubt Lily and Snape were an item at any time except maybe in his imagination. :) Lupin tells Harry that Lily and James started going out in their seventh year, and based on the scene in the Pensieve, I'm guessing Lily and Snape didn't have a close relationship in their fifth year (called Lily a mudblood and snapped at her when she tried to help him). I have wondered tho if maybe she wasn't the one who asked Dumbledore to trust him or if she wasn't the one who convinced Snape to be a spy.

I have to admit that I felt sorry for Draco. I think he was caught up in a world that suddenly went beyond his childish imagination. Unlike Harry, he'd never faced anything like Voldemort and suddenly he was their chose one to murder Dumbledore. I think he hated what he was caught up in.

I seriously think Snape is good at heart. I think he had a rotten childhood and that Lily was the only person who was ever nice to him. When Harry is looking in the Pensieve he sees his father being mean to Snape, hanging him upside down until he wets his pants and Lily comes to Snapes defense and makes James let Snape go.