I had the impression that Dumbledore wanted Snape to kill him so that Draco wouldn't have to kill -- that he (D) was protecting a child, again and always, to the end.
I don't think Draco *could've* killed him (killing curses aren't child's play), and then Snape would've had to kill DD because of the Vow. Snape might have wanted to back out (that argument that Hagrid overheard?) and die himself instead, but DD ordered him not to do it. But yes, Snape was certainly protecting Draco. I think he sees something of himself in Draco - in all the Slytherin kids - and doesn't want them to do the same mistakes as he did.
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branchandroot
Re: Snape and Draco Malfoy
Date: 2005-07-20 07:30 am (UTC)I don't think Draco *could've* killed him (killing curses aren't child's play), and then Snape would've had to kill DD because of the Vow. Snape might have wanted to back out (that argument that Hagrid overheard?) and die himself instead, but DD ordered him not to do it. But yes, Snape was certainly protecting Draco. I think he sees something of himself in Draco - in all the Slytherin kids - and doesn't want them to do the same mistakes as he did.
Swatkat