Snape as Spy

[dfrankis at dial.pipex.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 22437

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., mmccarty at b... wrote:
I gather that V knows that Snape has turned to Dumbledore's 
> service. I don't think that Snape will be able return to V and act 
as 
> a spy. He didn't answer V's summon ( the mark on his arm) and I 
think 
> the remaining DE's would spot a traitor right away if someone new 
> joined them that already had the mark on their arm.
> 
> In light of this, I think Dumbledore is sending Snape to do 
something 
> only he can do possibly to make some sort of potion, or loads and 
> loads of verisatum. I'm not really sure on that part, but I do 
believe 
> that V knows that Snape is no longer a loyal supporter. I'd love to 
> hear everyone else's thought on this!
> 
> Katie McCarty
> most like Hermionie
> 64% obsessed

An almost 'me too' post - I don't believe Snape is now an active spy 
for Dumbledore for much the reasons you give.  Theories have been 
floated that he *was* at the rebirthing (hence his shock at hearing 
Harry mention Lucius, thinking his name would be next), or that he 
was able to convince V that his mission at Hogwarts prevented him 
turning up, like Barty.

Also I think some believe he really still is a Death Eater.

But my main reason for him now not being a spy is that it just seems 
too cliched - surely JKR thought of something much more interesting 
for him to do than just go back to the old circle.

In the same way I hope we won't see any 'turning to the Dark Side' 
(too Star Wars), and that the final showdown, if any, won't be a 
fight or a Quidditch match or a Gotterdammerung

David