Do you think that Dumbledore and Snape entered into an Unbreakable Vow when Snape expressed "remorse" for turning Lily and James over to Voldemort? Do you think that's the reason why Dumbledore puts full trust in Snape yet won't tell anyone why? What are your thoughts?



I add this because it can still be speculated why Dumbledore trusted Snape, why he felt love would prevail and the conditions of their trust. While we saw memories, I doubt we saw every waking moment between them. Dumbeldore was disgusted by Snape, remember, and I don't think that went away.

I do believe they made the Unbreakable Vow, I knew Dumbledore had his wits about him at this time, and for Snape to lose Lily made him vunerable, but I dont believe thats why Dumbledore puts full trust in him. I believe the Unbreakable Vow was just to draw the line, because I know Dumbledore made out clear to Severus that if he loved Lily so muh, he must help her, by helping Harry and revenging her death.

It does make sense that there was an Unbreakable Vow made between the two, why else would Dumbledore be so certain, so absolutely positive that Snape would never betray him? Of course, we have to remember that Snape did love Lily and that what he felt for her so no doubt real, not some random emotion and as a Slytherin, it was only a natural thing that he would want to avenge the death of his true love. He could never harm Harry, even though part of him was from James who he loathed, the other part of him was Lily, and Harry had Lily's eyes. I actually think Snape was less likely to harm Harry than Dumbledore was, after reading DH. But definitely, I'm sure an Unbreakable Vow was involved at the root of all of this and that's how Dumbledore knew that he could trust Snape.

Yes, as all of you clearly stated, an unbreakable vow was involved between Snape and Dumbledore, which is how Dumbledore could be so certain he could trust Snape. Given Dumbledore's past as we know it, I am sure that he trusted very few people and an unbreakable vow would be in order.

Now, Linda brought up a very good point: "I actually think Snape was less likely to harm Harry than Dumbledore was, after reading DH."
I sort of agree with this statement, but at the same time, I don't. I don't think that either one would deliberately harm Harry. They both wanted to help Harry, but for different reasons: Snape because of his love for Lily and feeling guilt about her death; Dumbledore because he wanted to see the demise of Voldemort. However, Dumbledore was stubborn and didn't like to tell of his past, which this alone could have scarred Harry from not 'knowing'. Sometimes knowledge (or none) is the greatest curse of all.

I agree with everyone else. The only thing (next to death) that is foolproof in the wizarding world is an Unbreakable Vow. Dumbledore couldn't said, with any degree of certainty, that he knew Snape would never betray him without that in place. I think it was the only means to keep Snape in line. He was always in it for himself and only cared abour Lily's preservation, not Harry's. I think more was at risk by not having him enter into a Vow.

While I think it is entirely possible that an Unbreakable Vow was made between the two, I actually think it is possible that there wasn't one either. What does Dumbledore say is the most powerful magic of all - LOVE. More powerful than dark magic and unbreakable vows? Apparently Dumbledore seemed to think so. I think Dumbledore believed the power of Snape's intense love for Lily and the guilt that came with that love when she was killed would keep him in line forever. I don't think Dumbledore would have needed an Unbreakable Vow because he knew Snape - knew the type of person he was and how his self-loathing for his role in Lily's death was more powerful than an Unbreakable Vow would be, not to mention that Dumbledore knew eventually Harry would reinforce that guilt just by his presence everyday at school, where Snape would have to be constantly reminded that had he not told Voldemort about the prophecy, Lily would still be alive.

I have to agree with Tiff. I don't think there was a Vow between the two. That would sort of be a strong armed action and Dubmledore didn't operate that way. Not saying he was stupid, but other than Voldemort, Dumbledore could read people. He didn't have to trick them or strong arm them like Voldie did.

Love, is the greatest magic of all. Even in Enchanted, the most powerful thing in the world is Love's First Kiss. Snape's love for Lily wasn't just a fleeting feeling. It was intense and it was powerful. I mean Snape could have done anything in the world when Voldemort killed Lily and James, but he ran right to Dumbledore and spilled his guts without any prodding or trickery. His remorse was almost too much to bear, and I think if Dumbledore had turned him away I don't think Snape could have lived with himself. But Albus gave him a purpose for his life and a way to make amends by helping topple Voldie by helping Lily's son.

We always wondered why JK kept mentioning that the fact that Harry had Lily's eyes would be important but she never came out and said why, but I think those eyes were a stab in Snape's heart everyday he saw Harry looking at him. I think that daily reminder of his love for Lily and his vengeance kept him in line. There was no need for a Vow.

I don't think that Dumbledore and Snape made the Unbreakable Vow. Snape loved Lily, and didn't want her to have died in vain so he protected Harry.

I thought it was possible when I first saw this topic, but now I'm apsolutely sure they didn't.
My first reason is that Snape was already risking his life many times over by betraying the darklord, so obviously death wasn't that great a motive.
My next reason is that I think Dumbledore knew that Snape's patronus was a Doe originally, or maybe some other solid proof that Snape was genuanly in love with Lilly to the deepest part of himself
Another reason is that, as has already been said, Snape was so vulnerable that night, but instead of Dumbledore using that to do the unbreakable vow I think he may have used that to look inside Snapes mind using Legilimency as I think that may have been the one time when Snape wouldn't have tried to stop him.

Other reasons have been said before by other people above ^. I also agree with SlytherinFox that Snape was less likely to harm Harry then Dumbledor was as, in a way, Dumbledore was using Harry, as well as protecting him.