Snape's Vow

Narcissa was going to tell Snape about the plan, despite Voldemort's forbidding her from doing so. Both Snape and Bellatrix said she should not tell Snape the plan if Voldemort had forbidden it. However, Snape then let Narcissa in on the fact that he knew of the plan anyway. Snape said that had he not known about it already and Narcissa had told him then she would be guilty of treachery to the Dark Lord.

Just a thought --
A pretty lady, a maiden in distress, concerned about an only son who is likely to be murdered by Voldemort.
Where had Snape heard that one before? Flash-back time.

Lucius had just lost his last friend. Everyone on the planet was his enemy. He and his whole family were about to be murdered. If Snape had not stepped in, I can't imagine Lucius complaining if Draco and Narcissa did whatever they need to do to stay alive.

Bellatrix is too crazy to see reason, but she doesn't have any kids.
Who else do we know has kids? Crabb, Goyle (Nott? McSomething?) Anyone else?
Might this whole thing with Draco make them think again? Or at least hesitate?

What is that and how long would it take to explain?

Judging them for that isn't exactly fair. It's that old, male-dominated culture. Not too long ago, EVERYBODY was like that. Probably most of the world is still like that. Narcissa is a product of her culture. Like Kreacher. We are so sheltered and pampered today. We forget so quickly how awful things used to be. Trust me, you guys lucked out. For all the whining we do about the condition of the world today... There never was a golden age when everybody was nice.

I thought that when I was just re-reading the Spinner's End chapter. I mean, we have the imagery of Narcissa clutching her long blonde hair. She very much is the maiden in distress. I had to wonder what Snape's feelings toward her were when she was falling at his feet; when she took his hands in her's and pressed them to her lips. We're not given much insight to Snape's feelings ever... but he's still a guy and having the attention of a nice looking (we're told in book 4 that Narcissa is nice but vain) female on him, well I couldn't help but wonder.

Oops, sorry, make that nice looking. A little too tired. Think I need a caffeine hit!

Look at this way, Snape is a good occlumency so maybe he use it on malfoy.......................

Yes, Snape is an accomplished Legilimens (spell?) but Draco received Occlumency lessons from Aunt Bellitrix. Snape was trying all year to snoop around and find out what Draco was up to, but Snape failed.

What is that and how long would it take to explain?
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In short, Occam's razor states that all else being equal, the simpler answer is usually the right one. I originally said:

Does that make more sense now?

Yep. Thanks.

But I think the eye belongs to Narcissa. Not that it matters -- It works out the same.
All that matters is keeping Draco alive, and killing Dumbledore would not help Draco.

It wouldn't be bad for him. It wouldn't make any difference either way.
The fact that Draco failed is all that matters.
What Snape does to Dumbledore is
irrelevent to Draco's assignment and
irrelevent to Snape's vow to Narcissa.
The vow itself protects Draco, not any action by Snape.

I'm assuming that Snape was smart enough
to tell Voldemort about the vow a year ago.
Now, when Voldemort wants to use Draco's
recent failure as an excuse to punish him,
Snape can say "Nope, sorry, we can't do that."

Could Draco's assignment be considered two seperate tasks?

1. Fix the Cabinets so the Death Eaters can get into Hogwarts.

2. Kill Dumbledore.

If so, could Snape have been vowing to make sure Draco got the cabinets fixed? Who's to say the twitch in his hand during that part of the vow wasn't him thinking "yeah, I'll make sure he gets the cabinets fixed, but you can forget the second task!" Narcissa only referred to one task right?

Just a thought! I really don't think it'd be that simple though!