Spy/Snape

[bigbish13]

No: HPFGUIDX 47642

I have been on the list for a couple of weeks now, but this is my 
first post, so I will ask forgiveness for any faux pas in advance.

In a message dated 26/11/2002 17:32:16 Eastern Standard Time, 
jack.anders at attbi.com writes:
> I wonder if Snape will say he didn't respond when summoned because 
he 
> needed to maintain a front for D'dore.  Voldie was co-occupying 
> Quirrel in SS, so that excuse won't fly.  But Lucius doesn't know 
> that, does he?  He just knows that Voldie has condemned him.


I have read several posts suggesting that Snape could not possibly 
return as a spy to Voldemort, based on:
Snape being revealed as a spy by Dumbledore.
Snape's lack of cooperation with Quirrell/Voldemort. 
Voldemort not being stupid.

Every time I see one of these posts I have the same response, so in 
hopes of alleviating my anxiety, allow me to opine on these matters.

Snape revealed as double agent.

Though not specifically stated in canon, it appears to me that the 
trials of the death eaters were not open to the public, and IIRC only 
the defendant accused of the crime being tried was present.
Therefore, unless Snape was being corporately tried, or a DE was on 
the panel passing judgment, only those present would be privy to that 
knowledge, and they certainly would not be spreading that type of 
information around. So Voldemort would have no way of knowing Snape 
was a double agent, as far as he knows, Snape could have gone with 
the old Imperius curse story to stay out of Azkaban.

Lack of cooperation with Quirrell/Voldemort.

Quirrell was not known to be a DE, he just stumbled upon Voldemort, 
and I don't recall any conversation in canon where Q/V reveals 
himself to Snape. So if I'm Snape, and I was only working for the 
dark side, what would I do? I try to get the stone for myself, 
whether for myself(all DE's want immortality right?) or for when
the 
Dark Lord returns. It is possible that is how it would appear to 
Voldemort; we know that's what the Terrific Trio thought. What I 
would not do is cooperate with someone who was not known as a DE, so
that they could lay their hands on the stone.

I've also seen the opinion that Quirrell knew that Snape was the
one who was counter cursing Harry's broom. I don't remember
this
from canon. In fact I don't think he could have possibly known, 
simply because the curse he was using required that his eyes be on 
the broom constantly, which not allow him to look around to see who 
might be doing the counter curse. When Snape got the hotfoot, both 
had their had their concentration broken, so he couldn't have
known.

Based on this, Voldemort's stupidity (or lack there of) would not 
come into play. So I can't see any reason Snape couldn't
return to 
Voldemort as a spy, though I'm Sure someone will fill this theory 
full of holes. Bring it on ;)

I'm about a week behind on the postings so if this has already
been 
addressed please forgive me.

Thanks to all those involved in providing this forum, as well as all 
the contributors. I really like the list, especially TBAY.

Bish