One of the most shocking and tragic moments in the Harry Potter series is the death of Albus Dumbledore, the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts School, at the hands of Severus Snape, the mysterious and enigmatic potions master. Dumbledore and Snape are two of the most influential and complex characters in the wizarding world. Their relationship is full of secrets, lies, and loyalty. Why did Snape kill Dumbledore? This is the question that haunts many fans of the series, and that reveals a lot about Snape’s true motives and character. In Today’s article, we will explore why did Snape killed Dumbledore.
Why did Snape kill Dumbledore?
Snape killed Dumbledore because he was asked to do so by Dumbledore.
Dumbledore was already dying from a curse he contracted when he tried to destroy a Horcrux. A dark object that contained a fragment of Voldemort’s soul. The curse slowly spread from his hand to his body, and there was no cure. Dumbledore knew that he had only a few months left to live and that he would eventually lose his mind and his magic. He also knew that Voldemort had ordered Draco Malfoy, a young student of Snape’s, to kill him and that if Draco failed, Snape would have to do it instead. Therefore, Dumbledore made a plan with Snape, who was secretly working for the Order of the Phoenix, the wizards and witches who opposed Voldemort.
Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him when the time came and to make it look like a betrayal. This way, Dumbledore would die with dignity and honor. Also, Snape would maintain his cover as a loyal Death Eater, Voldemort’s follower. This plan was revealed in The Deathly Hallows when Harry Potter saw Snape’s memories in the Pensieve. It is a magical device that allowed him to view someone else’s thoughts.
In one of the memories, Dumbledore showed Snape his blackened hand and told him about the curse and the Horcrux. He also told him that he trusted him completely and that he had to kill him before anyone else did. He said: “Severus, you must be the one to kill me. Only then will Voldemort trust you completely.”
In another memory, Snape argued with Dumbledore about his plan, saying it was like asking him to kill an old friend. He also expressed his concern for Draco’s safety and innocence. Dumbledore assured him that he cared for Draco as well and that he did not want him to become a murderer. These memories showed that Snape killed Dumbledore because he respected his wishes and followed his orders, even though it pained him greatly.
So now you know why did Snape kill Dumbledore. Snape’s act of killing Dumbledore was not a betrayal but a mercy killing that spared Dumbledore from a painful and humiliating death, and that also preserved Snape’s cover as a double agent who could help Harry Potter defeat Voldemort.
How Snape Redeemed Himself?
You know Why Did Snape Kill Dumbledore, but how did Snape redeem himself? Snape redeemed himself by helping Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Snape was among the few who knew that Voldemort had created Horcruxes. Its the dark objects that contained fragments of his soul and made him immortal.
Snape also knew that Harry Potter was one of the Horcruxes and that he had to die to destroy Voldemort. However, he did not tell Harry this until the very end, when he gave him his memories in the Pensieve right before he died. In one of the memories, Dumbledore told Snape that Harry had to die at the right moment and that he had to tell him when the time came. He said: “He must die … Neither can live while the other survives … It is essential that you understand this!”
In another memory, Snape asked Dumbledore why he had to protect Harry, the son of his hated rival, James Potter. Dumbledore revealed to him that Harry was also the son of Lily Potter, Snape’s childhood friend and love, who died to save Harry from Voldemort. He showed him a doe-shaped Patronus, a magical manifestation of one’s positive emotions, identical to Lily’s. He said: “After all this time?” Snape replied: “Always.” These memories showed that Snape loved Lily Potter more than anything. He agreed to protect Harry for her sake, even though it meant sacrificing his own life.
Snape’s helping Harry Potter was not a betrayal but a redemption that showed his true love for Lily Potter and his courage to fight against Voldemort.
How did Harry Potter end Voldemort?
Harry Potter ended Voldemort by using the Elder Wand and the power of love. The Elder Wand was one of the three Deathly Hallows, legendary objects that could make the owner the master of death. It was also the most powerful wand, capable of performing feats that no other wand could.
Voldemort coveted the Elder Wand, believing it would make him invincible and allow him to kill Harry Potter, who was prophesied to be his equal and his downfall. However, Voldemort did not understand the true nature of the Elder Wand and how its allegiance depended on the skill and will of the wielder. He also did not know that Harry Potter had become the true master of the Elder Wand after he disarmed Draco Malfoy, who had previously disarmed Albus Dumbledore, the former owner of the wand.
Therefore, when Voldemort and Harry Potter faced each other in the final duel in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The Elder Wand refused to harm its true master and instead turned against Voldemort. Harry Potter used a simple disarming spell, Expelliarmus, while Voldemort used his signature killing curse, Avada Kedavra. The spells collided in a burst of golden light, and Voldemort’s curse rebounded back to him, killing him instantly.
The power of love was another factor that contributed to Harry Potter’s victory over Voldemort. Throughout his life, Harry Potter was protected by the love of his parents, friends, and allies, who sacrificed themselves for him and fought by his side. Voldemort, on the other hand, was incapable of love, having split his soul into seven pieces by creating Horcruxes. He also despised and feared love, seeing it as a weakness and a threat to his power.
When Harry Potter willingly gave up his life to destroy the part of Voldemort’s soul that resided within him. He invoked a powerful ancient magic that shielded his friends from harm. He also returned from death with the help of the Resurrection Stone. It is another Deathly Hallow that could summon the spirits of the dead. He faced Voldemort with courage and compassion, offering him a chance to feel remorse and redeem himself. He also revealed the truth about Snape’s loyalty to Dumbledore and how they had fooled him. Voldemort was enraged and terrified by Harry Potter’s words and tried to possess his mind. However, he could not bear the pain of Harry Potter’s love and friendship and was forced to retreat.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, There are three answers to Why Did Snape Kill Dumbledore: because he was asked to do so by Dumbledore because he wanted to protect Draco Malfoy, and because he wanted to prove his loyalty to Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Snape’s actions were motivated by his love for Lily Potter, his loyalty to Dumbledore. Snape’s character arc is one of the most complex and compelling in the Harry Potter series. His death reveals his true allegiance and heroism. He was not a traitor but a martyr. He was not a villain but a hero. Snape was not a coward but a brave man. He was Severus Snape, the Half-Blood Prince.