Why Didn't Snape Expel Ginny, Neville, and Luna After Their Attempt to Steal the Sword of Gryffindor?

Severus Snape, the enigmatic Potions Master and spy for the Order of the Phoenix, faced a complex moral and strategic crisis when he witnessed the daring and yet amateurish attempt by young rebels to steal the Sword of Gryffindor from his office.

Snapes Dual Allegiance: Working Through Moral and Tactical Struggles

Snape was no less conflicted than his beholden student, Harry Potter, about the moral implications of fighting for Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. As a double agent, Snape's allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix allowed him to perform covert missions while keeping himself safe. He could not afford to alienate the very students whose actions were exposing him too much, as expelling a student for treason might have raised suspicions about his true loyalties to the Order.

Pragmatism in Crisis Management

Snapne's strategic acumen extended to his strong understanding of the war's broader context. He recognized the vital importance of the students' actions. By thwarting the rebels' attempt, he could show defiance against the regime; but expelling them would have only fueled the rebellion and potentially undermined his own position.

Assessing the Situation and Choosing the Right Action

Snape likely believed that expelling the students could place them in a more dangerous world beyond Hogwarts, where they might engage in more defiant acts, possibly in isolation from any supervision. Furthermore, under Voldemort's new regime, Hogwarts was a place of fear and oppression. Mere resistance activities, like those undertaken by Ginny, Neville, and Luna, were seen as a form of rebellion, even if they were not in line with the Death Eaters' grand strategy.

Severus’ Rebel Status and the Context of Expulsion

Another reason Snape did not expel them was that he himself was effectively a rebel, working covertly alongside Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. He was in a unique position, often the only adult present during confrontations with Voldemort's followers. If he had expelled the students, he would have made their situation worse, as they would have been stuck in a hostage-like situation under Voldemort's control, potentially more dangerous than at Hogwarts.

Voldemort's Complicated Control and Baby Steps

Finally, Voldemort adopted a gradual approach to impose his dictatorship on the Wizarding World. Initially, he focused on muggleborns, a minority group whose families were cut off from the wizarding world. This strategy was safer and easier for Voldemort, allowing him to test the waters and watch for signs of rebellion. At this stage, expelling Peverell children, who were still part of the magical community, would have been more easily overlooked than expelling muggleborns, who were already marginalized and more visible to the magical community.

Conclusion: The Complexity of Choices

In conclusion, Snape's decision to manage the situation without drastic measures like expulsion was a result of his double allegiance, pragmatic approach to the brewing war, and the unique context in which he found himself. His actions reflected the complexity of his role in the story, balancing his duties as Head of Gryffindor with his secret opposition to Voldemort.