Snape's gang, David's gleam

[Elizabeth Dalton]

No: HPFGUIDX 31271

Cindy posted an interesting theory about how Snape might have gotten 
himself into Dumbledore's confidence by helping to catch his old 
"gang of Slytherins". One date caught my eye:

> In 1980, Rosier and Wilkes were killed by Aurors.  Karkaroff and 
> Dolohov were captured that same year.

Then Cindy says:

> By Halloween 1981, Snape is a spy for Dumbledore.

Actually, I think Snape has to have been a spy by 1980, if your date 
of Karkaroff's capture is correct, because Karkaroff tries to finger 
him at his own inquisition and Dumbledore defends Snape at that 
point, naming him as an informant. Rather publically, too. One hopes 
his spying days are at an end at that point... despite our theories 
about how he might try to resume that activity again now.

I like the rest of the speculation. And if after all that, James 
Potter *still* managed to get his family killed by ignoring some 
warning of Snape's (Snape thinks), well... I can really see how he 
could end up as he is.

Does anyone think Snape could survive a reconciliation with Harry? 
The usual plot formula would have him getting killed then or shortly 
after. But Rowling doesn't seem to think the usual plot formulae 
need apply to Snape, so I'm hoping not. (And I don't think Snape is 
destined for a complete reversal of attitude, anyway... years of 
nasty behavior has to be very habit-forming.)

I'll also mention in passing that David has come up with an 
unusually intriguing (and far-fetched) explanation of the famous 
"gleam." To think, I almost skipped that post because I'm so sick of 
that topic! (I'm rather sorry I followed his link to post #27, 
though. ;)

Elizabeth