But one CAN kill without wanting to do so. Draco's task was only to kill Albus. He did not need to want Albus dead to accomplish his task - as long as he doesn't try to do it by AK. And since Snape's Vow only covers finishing Draco's task, then he also doesn't need to want to kill Albus. He only needs to finish the task. So as long as Albus ends up dead - no problem with the vow.
As for it waiting until Snape arrives on the tower - I contend that the vow doesn't actually kick in until that one DE comments that it seems as if Draco cannot do it. Snape was already on the tower by that time, so again no problem for the vow. IF the vow would kick in without some witnesses commenting that Draco doesn't seem to be able to do it - then the vow should have kicked in on Draco's first failure.
It isn't logical. But it IS the way the Vow was worded. Draco has to SEEM to fail before the Vow hits. And Snape was already on the tower by that time. In fact, he immediately steps forward (no hesitation) and casts the AK. I think the vow would have even allowed a duel between Snape and Albus that could have been however long it took, as long as Albus ended up dead at the end.
As for poison (untraceable or not) - my pet theory (no canon) would be a digitalis overdose. Yes, it could be done with just foxglove, but I love the idea of an actual muggle drug by the Half-blood Prince. And a heart attack would be believable after what Albus had just been through. Less believable IF Albus and Harry had not just gone on an adventure, so perhaps not?
Another good reason for Snape to kill Albus at that moment is because IF Albus dies from that potion in the basin then folks are going to accuse Harry unless he tells why they went. Of course Snape doesn't know it was about horcruxes, but he might want to protect the info since he knows it was something Albus wanted secret.
As for Snape's apparent hate and wanting Albus dead - I'll just say that it is entirely possible to have conflicted feelings. One CAN want to kill someone and yet also want not want that person dead. And I think Snape was VERY conflicted.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-04-16 09:55 pm (UTC)As for it waiting until Snape arrives on the tower - I contend that the vow doesn't actually kick in until that one DE comments that it seems as if Draco cannot do it. Snape was already on the tower by that time, so again no problem for the vow. IF the vow would kick in without some witnesses commenting that Draco doesn't seem to be able to do it - then the vow should have kicked in on Draco's first failure.
It isn't logical. But it IS the way the Vow was worded. Draco has to SEEM to fail before the Vow hits. And Snape was already on the tower by that time. In fact, he immediately steps forward (no hesitation) and casts the AK. I think the vow would have even allowed a duel between Snape and Albus that could have been however long it took, as long as Albus ended up dead at the end.
As for poison (untraceable or not) - my pet theory (no canon) would be a digitalis overdose. Yes, it could be done with just foxglove, but I love the idea of an actual muggle drug by the Half-blood Prince. And a heart attack would be believable after what Albus had just been through. Less believable IF Albus and Harry had not just gone on an adventure, so perhaps not?
Another good reason for Snape to kill Albus at that moment is because IF Albus dies from that potion in the basin then folks are going to accuse Harry unless he tells why they went. Of course Snape doesn't know it was about horcruxes, but he might want to protect the info since he knows it was something Albus wanted secret.
As for Snape's apparent hate and wanting Albus dead - I'll just say that it is entirely possible to have conflicted feelings. One CAN want to kill someone and yet also want not want that person dead. And I think Snape was VERY conflicted.