Snape as spy (again)

[Hillman, Lee]

No: HPFGUIDX 30761

I guess I'll field this one....
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Cindy C." <cindysphynx at h...> wrote:
> 
> > OK.  How about this?  Snape goes to Voldemort ...  

And Melanie said: 
> Does anyone other than me think that Voldemort can read 
> minds? (Remember "Do not lie to me. I can always tell"? Frank 
> Bryce. Harry.) Personally I think this is a Dark Art.
> 
> I don't think Snape can be a spy simply because Voldemort 
> would be able to tell if he were lying.

Ah, Melissa, that's only if you assume that this supposed "power" of
Voldemort's is a. mind-reading or b. some other infallible "art" or
"talent." 

Personally, I haven't seen him do anything in any of the books that couldn't
be explained by a keen sense of observation and being able to read people
very intuitively. Even in PS, it's entirely possible that
Voldermort-inside-Quirrell is able to "see" through Quirrell's eyes and was
able to read something in Harry's expression or perceive the change in his
trouser line when the stone appeared in his pocket, thereby knowing it was
there. But are we simply to take his word that he's infallible? Not in my
book. He's not a mind reader. Sorry, I don't buy it.

The main thrust of my position remains the same, though: If Severus did not
return to try to spy, one way or another, then what DID he do that both
creates a strategic advantage *and* protects him from Voldermort's wrath?

As far as Cindy's theory about using Crouch, again, KISS applies. He may
well explain that Crouch was caught and he couldn't do anything about it--in
fact, I'd be disappointed in him if he didn't explain himself in a similar
fashion--but he still doesn't need to use PJ potion for anything. If he's
wise, he'll offer to go back to doing exactly what he was doing before:
mainly, hanging out in D's camp and passing pertinent info to Voldy, while
sabotaging things if and when he can. In reality, of course, he'll be doing
those things in the opposite direction. In other words, Cindy, yes, that's
exactly what I think Snape MUST do.

Don't get me wrong, folks: he's still in for a lot of torture, testing, and
generally having a hard time of it due to distrust and all kinds of sticky
situations involving divided loyalties. But I haven't yet seen an
alternative that accomplishes any meaningful task that will benefit them in
the coming war. That's not to say that alliances aren't important, either;
but _Snape's_ connection with the DE's is too valuable to throw away. It's
an incredibly risky manoeuver. But it's a necessary one.

Out of curiosity, could it be that the reason some people don't like this
alternative is because it means Dumbledore is playing God with Snape's life,
sending him into a situation where there was a VERY good chance he wouldn't
survive, and would die painfully to boot?

Gwen (staunchly defending a nasty, abusive, unloving, clever, icy, and
dangerous Snape)