Deathly Hallows Chapter 30

[montavilla.livejournal.com]

The Sacking of Severus Snape

I expect JKR has been dying to use that title ever since she started writing the series.

The chapter starts with Harry’s scar burning as Alecto Carrow touches her Dark Mark. He gets a vision of Voldemort standing on a big rock with the waves crashing about him. He feels a stab of triumph in Voldemort’s heart as he crows They have the boy.

Okay, so why is it that this time Voldemort’s all triumphant, when his reaction to Bellatrix’s touch was They better not be wasting my time?

Fortunately, while Harry was distracted, Luna was busy stupefying Alecto. The awakens the Ravenclaws, so Harry runs under the Invisibility Cloak to hide with Luna. As a Ravenclaw firstie kicks at Alecto’s body, Harry senses that Voldemort is moving through the Horcrux cave, having decided to check on his locket before going to Hogwarts.

Let’s see how much time Voldemort can spend on this unnecessary task.

In Hogwarts, Amycus starts banging in the Ravenclaw door, which refuses to open until someone answers the riddle it poses. The Ravenclaws creep away, and it goes on so long that Harry considers just opening the door and stunning Amycus to shut him up. Finally, Professor McGonagall shows up, having apparently been roused from her bed by the noise.

So, let’s say ten minutes?

They argue for a bit and then McGonagall gets the door open by answering the riddle. This one is “Where Do Vanished Objects go?” That’s really more of a test question than a riddle, wouldn’t you say?

Having gotten into the room, Amycus finds his sister unconscious and he and McGonagall fight about that for a few minutes. Amycus insists that Harry Potter was there, and McGonagall insists that it’s absurd.

“Why would Harry try to get inside Ravenclaw Tower? Potter belongs to my House!” McGonagall exclaims, evidently forgetting that Harry once had a big crush on a Ravenclaw girl.

They ponder that a moment, then Amycus gets the bright idea to blame the Ravenclaw students for summoning Voldemort. Then McGonagall and Amycus argue about that for a few minutes. And then Amycus spits in her face and Harry casts the spell that launched a thousand fan posts.

The Crucio.

Complete with the Dirty Harry quip: “I see what Bellatrix meant, you need to really mean it.”

On one hand, I’m sure this is a very satisfying moment for many readers. But it’s cheap. Amycus isn’t that important a villain. On Harry’s list of hated Death Eaters, I’m sure he somewhere above Stan Shunpike and far below Snape, Voldemort, and Bellatrix. So, in order to make this an effective moment, JKR has to spend pages making Amycus as disagreeable as possible. She does this by having him threaten the Ravenclaws in order to save his own skin (how cowardly!) and then having him spit in a beloved character’s face.

Frankly, it pisses me off because it reminds me of this stupid moment in A League of their Own where we have a telegram messenger rudely refusing to deliver a message to one of the female baseball players. They all know that the message is that someone’s husband has died in the war, but they won’t know who until it’s delivered. Finally, Tom Hanks beats the guy up, takes the telegram, and gives to one of the women, who breaks down crying as he approaches her. It’s moving, but it’s dependent on the messenger being an asshole, which no messenger would have been in that situation. And it comes off as being manipulated to make Tom Hanks look good.

So, that’s one way that this moment bites. The other is that JKR just destroyed the moral framework of her universe.

Let me repeat that: JKR just destroyed the moral framework of her universe.

From the very first chapter of the series, we’re presented with two aspects of magic.
“Dark Arts” and a mysterious deep, unknowable power connected to love. We’re told that Dark magic is ignoble and Evil. But what Dark magic is, exactly, is never explained. The closest thing we have to an explanation is the three Unforgivable Curses, which are analogous to three real world evils: Imperious (slavery), Cruciatus (torture), and Avada Kadavra (murder).

Then, throughout the series, the connection of Dark magic to innate evil is emphasized. Snape’s love of Dark magic is used as justification for bullying him. James’s hatred of Dark magic is brought up as a point in his favor. Bellatrix effectively tells Harry that he’s too good to cast the Cruciatus Curse. When Snape uses an Avada Kadavra on Dumbledore, that’s the ultimate sign of his allegiance to the Dark Lord.

The introduction of the Unforgivables was in this order: Imperious, Cruciatus, and Avada Kadavra, implying that each is worse than the one before. When Harry cast the Imperious, JKR was having Harry dip into “evil” magic, but in a desperate situation and with limited scope. He only did what was necessary at the time. I’m not happy that she had him use the spell, but it didn’t make me angry. Moreover, Imperious has always been the most undefined spell in the set. It also seems to imply weakness or complicity in its victim. If they were simply stronger, like Harry, then there’d be no problem. The spell simply wouldn’t work.

But Cruciatus is pretty cut and dried. Its only function is to inflict pain. In order to cast it, you have to have that goal in mind. It’s never “gallant” and it’s way beyond “foolish.” To have Harry use it, enjoy it, and to have Professor McGonagall (a model of decorum) endorse its use makes it just another spell. If it's just another spell, then the whole Dark Arts = evil thing goes down the drain.

Thirdly, and least importantly: That badass Dirty Harry quip? Lame.

Harry tells McGonagall that Voldemort is on his way to Hogwarts, and Luna asks brightly, “Oh, are we allowed to say the name now?”

Hmm. I wonder if Harry just broke all the ancient protective wards on Hogwarts. Where are the Snatchers? How come they aren’t Apparating in right about now?

By the way, it’s probably been half an hour since Harry got that vision of Voldemort traveling through the cave. He gets another one now. This time Voldemort is in his little boat, traveling to the island. So… it’s taking more than a little time for Voldemort to check on that Horcrux.

McGonagall tells Harry to flee, but Harry tells her that he needs to find the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw. He’s pretty sure that’s the last Horcrux. McGonagall repeats that it’s been lost for centuries, so good luck with that.

Amycus starts waking up, so McGonagall uses Imperio to have him fetch his sister’s wand and hand it to McGonagall. Because why use Accio when you can use Imperio? It's not like there's any moral aspect to magic any more.

At this point, Harry senses Voldemort looking in the basin on Horcrux Island.

Again. It took Voldemort forty-five minutes to get through the cave to find this out. By all rights, it should take him as long to get out. Stupidest villain ever.

Harry says the magic words I’m acting on Dumbledore’s orders and McGonagall snaps to attention. She starts planning for a siege to hold off the Death Eaters just so that Harry can do his searching. They decide to evacuate the students through the secret passage to the Hog’s Head.

That done, McGonagall summons a silver net around the Carrows and hoists them up into the air, where they dangle like “large, ugy sea-creatures.” Not at all like the pathetic and dramatic Charity Burbage or Gregorovitch. No. This is entirely different. Because this time the cords are silver.

McGonagall conjures a triple Patronus. Hers are silver cats with eye-glass markings. In other words, they are the same as her Animagus form. So… does that mean that the love of McGonagall’s life is herself? Interesting.

As they run through the castle (Harry and Luna still under that silly Cloak), they become aware of quiet footsteps. McGonagall halts and asks “who is there?” And Severus Snape steps out from behind a suit of armor with the words, “It is I.”

I can’t quite figure out how he was walking behind that suit of armor. Usually, if you are hiding behind a suit of armor, you have limited walking space.

But here we go! At last, the moment we’ve been waiting for for nearly six hundred pages! The moment when Harry meets Severus!

It starts promisingly enough, even though Harry is currently cowering under an Invisibility Cloak. He is noticing how greasy Snape’s hair is, and how his eyes are black and cold.

Both Snape and McGonagall are holding their wands at dueling position. So far, so good.

The tense stand-off continues as Snape mentions an intruder and McGonagall asks how he knew. He flexes his left arm, apparently showing her the Dark Mark? Hmm. I guess he has his famously long black sleeves pushed up?

But, while we’re pausing on that image, this brings up something that has puzzled him since GoF. How exactly does this Dark Mark communication system work? In GoF, Snape said that when a Death Eater felt the Dark Mark burn, it meant they should Apparate immediately to Voldemort. Which isn’t exactly how Apparition is supposed to work. I mean, Apparition is about finding a location, not a person. How do they know where he is?

Also, that seemed like the Mark had only one… note. You touch it, it burns everyone with the Dark Mark. So, how did Snape know who touched the Mark? How did he know it was Alecto and not Voldemort? How did Voldemort, for that matter, know that it was about finding Harry and not something else?

I think it would be cool if, when you touched the Mark, it became like an intercom. So that when you spoke, the serpent on everyone’s arm would “talk” in your voice. That’s kind of based on the movie Dark Marks, which did move around. But the book Dark Marks don’t seem to do that.

Where was I? Oh, yes. Back to the Mexican stand-off between McGonagall and Snape. After a few minutes of tense banter, McGonagall takes a shot and they are off and dueling! This is almost as good as the Voldemort-Dumbledore bout back in OotP, but it’s such a minor moment, I doubt we’ll see much of it in the film.

Harry tries bravely to curse Snape from beneath his Invisibility Cloak, but is forced to dodge as a fiery lasso flies too close. Great. Even without seeing him, Snape can out-duel Harry.

Snape defends himself against McGonagall’s spells (never even trying to touch her) until the other three Heads of House arrive. Flitwick joins in the fight and Snape is forced to flee with three people (McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick) running after him. McGonagall is shouting “Coward! Coward!”

Sigh. Funny how people keep shouting that at Snape when he’s trying his hardest not to kill them.

Harry and Luna catch up as the professors are staring out a broken window. At first, Harry thinks Snape jumped to his death, but McGonagall points out (unlike poor Dumbledore!) Snape still had his wand and must have learned a few tricks from his master. Harry sees a huge, batlike shape in the distance.

So, is Snape flying and his robes make him look like a bat? Or, is he yet another Animagus and his form is a bat? (Or, perhaps a thestral or dragon?) Or, (and this is my favorite theory), was there a thestral waiting below the window for Snape to jump on his back—like in a western?

As I consider those theories, Professor Slughorn waddles up, out of breath. All fat, the way he is. He’s horrified to learn that Snape has left—through the Snape-shaped hole in the window.

Yes, Snape is Daffy Duck.

Come to think of it, Daffy Duck would make a great Snape, wouldn’t he? Bugs would probably be Dumbledore. For Harry, I’d cast Elmer Fudd. And Yosemite Sam could be Voldemort.

Speaking of Voldemort, he’s just now getting off his little boat in the Horcrux cave.

The professors prepare to defend the castle. For Sprout, this means gathering up a bunch of lethal plants (employing Earth Power!). For Flitwick, this means casting wind spells (employing Air Power!). For McGonagall, this means animating the suits of armor throughout the castle. Which is impressive and vaguely relates to fire as an animating source…. I guess.

For Slughorn, this means spluttering and sweating (Water Power!).

Two important exchanges occur here. Well, one and a half. Harry asks Flitwick about the Diadem and gets nothing. McGonagall tells Slughorn that he’s free to leave with his students, but if he tries to sabotage the castle’s resistance, she’ll kill him.

Slughorn is naturally aghast, but McGonagall tells him that it’s time to choose a side. She’s making it pretty easy, if you ask me. But then, that’s the way heroes usually treat those who are just trying to survive. Because nothing is more contemptible than neutrality. Damn those Swiss!

Filch arrives to amuse us with his squib ways for a moment, then leaves on McGonagall’s order to fetch Peeves.

It’s at this point that McGonagall animates the suits of armor—and this is a wonderful image. I can’t wait for this in the film.

Harry and Luna run back to fetch the D.A., while students cry out excitedly at the sight of Harry. This seems like an echo back to PS/SS, then Harry first arrived at school. I suppose the dramatic import is that, back then, Harry created excitement without having done anything notable except survive. Here, as far as the kids know, it’s much the same, but this time he did it with a dragon!

Also, showing Harry’s maturity, he doesn’t fret about his fame. He accepts it with only the merest acknowledgement.

Back in the RoR, the place is now packed with D.A. and Order of the Phoenix members. And Oliver Wood.

Harry tells them that Voldemort is coming and they are going to all fight him. At this, there is a great roar and rushing out by everyone. Dean/Luna shippers swoon as he offers her his hand to help her out the door. Might as well, though. It’s not like he can do anything else without a wand.

This next bit annoys me greatly. The Weasleys remain behind in the room to argue about Ginny. Molly wants her to go home, Ginny wants to fight. I don’t give a damn what she does.

But it does give Harry yet another opportunity to be the worst boyfriend in the world as he refuses to support Ginny’s (understandable) reluctance to go home and wait to hear that her whole family just died in battle.

Just then Percy literally tumbles through the passage. Apparently, he lost all physical coordination when he chose the Ministry over his family. But, now the prodigal returns! To stony silence!

The only good part of this scene is Fleur and Lupin trying to distract everyone by waving baby pictures around. It’s silly, but it makes me laugh.

So, Percy now abases himself and apologizes… to Fred, which makes no sense whatsoever. And the Weasleys go off to fight, except Ginny, who tries to follow them, but gets caught by her mother.

Lupin as voice of reason makes a brief re-appearance as he suggests Ginny stay in the room. This compromise is acceptable to Molly and Ginny agrees and I hate that I even had to describe this stupid argument at all.

Just then Harry notices that Ron and Hermione have disappeared. Notice that the Weasleys are quite adamant that Ginny stay safe, but the disappearance of their youngest son worries them not a whit.

Ginny tells Harry that they went off to a bathroom together and there’s a silly little moment where Harry strides over to the bathroom to look inside for them. Um… you know, if they were in that tiny little bathroom together, Harry, they probably wouldn’t want to be disturbed if you know what I mean.

And then, Harry gets a final vision of Voldemort, who is now standing right outside the gates to Hogwarts.

Dun-dun-DUNNNNN!

Fan Service:
Percy returns to the bosom of his family!
Oliver Wood returns! (What do we want? Wood! When do we want him? Now!)
Dean and Luna are holding hands!

Fan Slappage:
Were you relying on some kind of moral framework in this series? Forget it. It's gone. God is dead. So is Dumbledore, but unfortunately, that doesn't mean anything.
Wow. That moment when Harry finally encounters Snape? Did that actually happen? I think I blinked and missed it.
Sadly, the Percy Weasley reunion does not take place after some heroic action on his part and he’s not tragically injured. Also? It was lame.

DVD Extras:

INT: DAY – THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT

With a magical chime, a door appears. It is flung open by Neville Longbottom, who runs in and slams it behind him. Panting, he braces his back against the door and then looks around in wonder.

The room is empty except for a single hammock and a Gryffindor banner.

HARRY (v.o.)
Dobby called it the Room of Requirement. What you need, it will provide for you. As long as you really need it.

Neville gets a very thoughtful look on his face.

CUT TO:

The same room, several days later. Neville sits at a small desk, working on a list. A dark tunnel is visible behind him, and there is a carton of take-out beside him. His face has the beginnings of a beard on it.

He reads over the list, which has many items. Some of them have been crossed out.

Intact items:

Wireless
Spare wands
Weapons
Owl

Crossed-Out Items:

Razor
Mimbulous Mimbletona
Hannah Abbott in her nightie

He nods and, list in hand, runs out the door.

CUT TO:

The room is now filled with hammocks. A wireless sits in the corner and the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw banners have joined the Gryffindor one. A few kids are scattered throughout the room, playing chess or reading.

Neville is at his desk, busily writing, while Lavender Brown and Seamus Finnigan bicker behind him.

LAVENDER
I don’t see why, if you get a car, we can’t get a unicorn.

SEAMUS
Because we need a car. The room gives you stuff you need, not stuff you asked your parents for when you were six!

LAVENDER
Okay. Then how about a bathroom. Can we get a bathroom?

Seamus and Neville exchange a shrug.

NEVILLE
I am tired of going in the corner.

He writes down “bathroom” on his list.

CUT TO:

The room bustles with activity. Neville is still at the desk, Lavender has one right beside him. Seamus brings messages over from a small owlery by the window.

SEAMUS
That family we smuggled out just arrived in Paris.

NEVILLE
Excellent.

SEAMUS
And we have reports from London. There’s been some kind of explosion at Gringott’s. A dragon escaped.

NEVILLE
Weird. Do you think it was the Death Eaters?

SEAMUS
I thought they were controlling the bank. Why would they attack it?

LAVENDER
Hold on! I just got a message from Luna by coin.

Neville and Seamus both pull out their fake galleons.

NEVILLE
She thinks it’s Harry?

SEAMUS
He broke into Gringott’s?

LAVENDER
With a dragon? I told you we needed unicorns!

SEAMUS
This is fantastic!

He runs to the door.

NEVILLE
Where do you think you’re going?

SEAMUS
To tell everyone! They’ll be at dinner!

He runs out. Neville shakes his head.

NEVILLE
Idiot. Lavender, let’s get hold of Kingsley. See if he can send Mundungus down there to check things out.

LAVENDER
Got it, chief.

Neville rubs his chin.

NEVILLE
If this Gringott’s thing is real, then it’s going to be one hell of a distraction. Let’s see if we can use it to sneak out a couple more families. Who’s next on the list?

FADE OUT

Comments

[artystone.livejournal.com]

yeah but no one ever says, "You're Fired!" Sounds to me more like he quit. And rightly so!

[montavilla.livejournal.com]

But he didn't even quit--unless Dumbledore quit when he fled from Cornelius Fudge in OotP. Snape simply left to avoid being killed.

[artystone.livejournal.com]

Right. So again I ask, "Sacked? When?"

[the-bitter-word.livejournal.com]

I hate to quote Herself, who said "Snape had effectively abandoned his post before dying" -- when in my eyes he did anything but that, especially before he died. So, arguably, he "quit" and wasn't really "sacked." As for Dumbledore, there's always an astonishing and pervasive double standard when it comes to Gryffs and Slyths.