Snape and Quirrell

[boblevin2002]

No: HPFGUIDX 41080

I would like to add to Porphyria's excellent essay.  I feel somewhat 
awkward attempting to do so, since the discussion clearly has a 
history, and I am new here (to internet groups per se).  But the 
essay seems to have such thorough documentation that I feel that I 
can contribute something worth playing with.  

I also do not wish to snip, since the essay is worth reading whole. 
However, I will list its number, 41072, and hope that my own writing 
can keep the thread clear for anyone reading this first.

The essay discusses the motivation and circumstances around Snape's 
role as a spy, and his ability to continue in that role as Voldemort 
has returned.  It does so by focusing on Snape's interactions with 
Quirrell, noting that Snape may not have known of Voldemort's 
presence under Quirrell's turban. And it also explores the nature of 
Snape's relationship with Dumbledore. 

The essay also explores possibilities, speculations about how Snape 
became a spy in the first place--events which color how we interpret 
Snape's actions in SS/PS. I hope I am accurate in saying that the 
speculations I have read share one thing, that Snape was a Death 
Eater, somehow recanted in a fashion sincere enough for Dumbledore to 
believe him and vouch for him.  Dumbledore alludes to some bit of 
information that completely exonerates Snape--at present we do not 
know what this is.  

I would like to theorize that this bit of information that Dumbledore 
is not disclosing is that it was Dumbledore himself who encouraged 
Snape to become a Death Eater BEFORE Snape was even approached by 
Voldemort (or an agent such as Malfoy), Dumbledore knowing the kind 
of rancor that existed between Snape and Sirius, the Potters, and the 
rest of our good guys with good guy personalities.  Snape was then 
approached and agreed to join.  Voldemort then asks him to be his spy 
at Hogwarts.  Snape agrees--on the condition that while at Hogwarts, 
he will behave at all times, as if he were loyal to Dumbledore.  

This makes the confrontation with Quirrell really interesting, 
because if Snape doesn't suspect Quirrell, and doesn't go after him 
as he did in the woods, questioning his loyalty--then 
Voldemort/Turban would suspect he renounced his evil ways.  In other 
words, if Voldemort sees Snape pulling his punches in any way, he 
suspects Snape.  This means that Voldemort expects his spy Snape to 
suspect Quirrell when Harry's scar hurts, and Voldemort expects Snape 
to guard the stone when the troll is released, and he expects Snape 
to question Quirrell's loyalty.  Because Voldemort knows that there 
are 'ears' and 'eyes' everywhere.  A good and loyal spy never tips 
his hand.

Does Snape tell Dumbledore everything?  Probably.  But even if one 
works closely with Dumbledore, and even with complete faith one 
follows his instructions perfectly, impatience will crop up.  
Dumbledore's magic and methods of trapping are so thorough and 
methodical, that it is hard for 40-year-olds like Snape to get into 
the mature groove of one who is several hundred (at least I think AD 
is that old).  

Just thoughts.

Bob