Snape as Double agent

[lea.macleod at gmx.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 17454

On the matter of who was adressed by Lord V´s comment "one, to 
cowardly to return"

 "Lyda Clunas" <lydaclunas at x> wrote:

> 
> Now, I admit that this theory *is* intriquing, but I stick to my 
> belief that Karkaroff *is* the cowardly one. Look at him in GoF! 
He's 
> always worming around, practically stalking Snape, crying "It's 
> coming back! It's coming back!" Snape himself tells him to "flee, 
> [he] will make [his] excuses. [Snape], however, [is] remaining at 
> Hogwarts." And Karkaroff *does* flee; how cowardly is that! :)

I also go for Karkaroff as the cowardly one and Snape as the one who 
has left Lord V forever.

The GoF quote Lyda put in raises another question for me. To whom will 
Snape make excuses for Karkaroff´s absence? Does it mean he will 
explain Karakroff´s sudden disappearance only to Dumbledore and the 
tournament organisers, or does it mean he will make the excuses to the 
ones who will REALLY be looking for him if he doesn´t turn up, meaning 
the DE?

A while ago someone suggested Snape was present at Lord V´s rebirthing 
party, and I objected strongly to it. However,Lyda´s GoF quote may let 
things appear in a different light...

> Also, I think that word of Snape's spying has no doubt made it's way 
> to Voldemort. PS/SS anyone? Voldie is right there on the back of 
> Quirrell's head all year, when Snape is suspicious of Quirrell; how 
> could he *not* realize where Snape's new alliances lie? Further, 
> Rebecca mentioned the "I believe" in Voldemort's statement about the 
> one who has "left [him] forever", and I too think that this 
admission 
> of uncertainty is quite important to future books, whether or not 
> Snape returns as spy.

Again, I agree. I think it is *impossible* that Lord V will receive 
Snape back. IMO there´s no way getting around it that Lord V *knew* 
Snape was a double agent, at least he knew from the time Snape openly 
changed sides.

So assuming Snape may try to convince Voldemort he´s changed sides 
*again* (I mean, how many of those fundamental decisions can you 
credibly make in your life?), I don´t think it would be wise even if 
Lord V could be made to believe it.

"I do not forget. I do not forgive."

 Remember how he used the Cruciatus curse on one DE (Avery, I think) 
who rejoined him instantly of his own accord, simply because he had 
avoided Azkaban. Remember Lord V telling the remaining DEs he wanted 
13 years repayment before he would truly accept them into his 
following again. Now imagine what kind of repayment Lord V would ask 
of someone who has not been biding his time (acting normal and 
respectable outwardly) but who has helped Lord V actively to his 
(first) downfall... I don´t think you´d be able to survive that 
repayment...

I mean Snape is a brave man, but to make him walk open-eyed towards 
such a fate it probably needs more than Dumbledore politely asking him 
to... 

No. Whatever Snape´s active role will be in the future books, I´m sure 
it´s not going to be the spy role all over again.