How much does Snape know? was Wormtail's Name In the Confession (WAS: Spying Game...)

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 40411

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "naamagatus" <naama_gat at h...> wrote:
> Hmmm. But if Snape knows and accepts (i.e., believes) that Sirius 
is 
> innocent - and therefore an ally - why was he so shocked that 
Sirius 
> was there?  
> When Sirius transforms to human form, the look on Snape's 
face "was 
> one of mingled fury and horror." He snarls, "Him! What is he doing 
> here?". Again, if Snape knows that Sirius is not a traitor, why 
the 
> fury and horror?

Well, first of all, I don't think Snape knew about Sirius being a 
dog Animagus.  When I suggested that Dumbledore filled Snape in 
after PoA, I meant that he filled Snape in about the Secret-keeper 
switch and Pettigrew being Wormtail the rat Animagus.  He may or may 
not have mentioned that Sirius was an Animagus too, but GoF seems to 
make it pretty clear that Snape didn't know about Padfoot.

As for Snape's expression of "fury and horror" -- well, Snape just 
discovered the arrogant bastard who nearly murdered him all those 
years ago is now a member of Dumbledore's inner circle.  And what's 
more, Snape has just revealed a major secret about himself -- a 
secret he almost certainly would not have revealed so openly if he'd 
known that Sirius was listening in.  I'd say fury and horror are 
exactly what I would expect from Snape here.

> Also, from Dumbledore's answer, it appears that Dumbledore also 
> thinks that Snape is questioning Sirius' allegiance: "He is here 
at 
> my invitation, as are you, Severus. I trust you both." 

I think Dumbledore was phrasing it as a reminder of something Snape 
already knew rather than as a brand new revelation.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com