Wind wrote:
Dunno... maybe inconsciously we trust Dumbledore so much that he's got us convinced even in death.
I asked my brother, and he replied "Well, maybe he's good... of course he killed Dumbledore, otherwise the Unbreakable Vow'd killed him!"
So for him Snape is good but a coward ultimately.
After all, he didn't kill Harry. He could have, but he didn't.
Gah, I just don't have any clue.
Snape killing Dumbledore was NOT a 'kill him or I die situation' in any way, shape or form. Dumbledore had been speaking morosely and as if he was preparing for departure since long before he told Harry of the final horcrux. His entire attitude was that he had served his purpose when he got to the middle of the lake with Harry. He's possible the strongest wizard in the world and a most astute man, he probably knew when his time was up.
Also, Snape was saving Malfoy by killing Dumbledore, because as evil as Draco is at this point, he is
not a murderer, and Snape and Dumbledore both knew that would alter him beyond any sort of redemption. Snape was sparing Malfoy from commiting a murder or of being turned in or hurt/killed by the death eaters that showed up (Grey Back especially ) or if not, eventually murdered by Voldemort.
Snape did the bravest thing he could, he killed the man who gave him a second chance and making everybody on that side unaware of WHY he killed Dumbledore, to save a young boy from making a huge mistake (and still covering for him so he wont be seen as a coward by voldemort) all so he can eventually assist the OotP or Harry by being the ultimate spy, completely enveloped with the death eaters.
THAT is why he freaked out when Harry called him a coward, he was in horrible pain and this stupid kid is calling him a coward for doing, probably, the worst thing of his life, for the sake of the world.