Chess Game, Snape's spying career

[frodoyoda_2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 36294

Elkins wrote:
 
> I said that I shared Athena's perplexity over Dumbledore's decision 
> to pronounce Snape's agent role to the crowded tribunal.  
 
<snip>

> Did Dumbledore really have faith in the discretion of all two 
hundred 
> or so of the people in that room?  Did he feel confident that not 
one 
> of the walked-free Death Eaters would be willing to risk his own 
> safety by trying to get a bit of payback on a traitor?  Did he 
figure 
> that all of the DEs had to know the score already, so a public 
> pronouncement couldn't possibly do any more damage?  Or did he just 
> want to ensure that poor Severus would never be able to feel 
> comfortable setting foot outside of Hogwarts again, or be able to 
> socialize with those who might prove a Bad Influence on him?  ;-)
> 
> I realize, of course, that the scene is probably just written that 
> way because it makes for a more dramatic moment.  But all the same, 
> it does make me wonder.
> 
> 
> -- Elkins

I've often wondered about Dumbledore's lack of discretion in the 
court myself. It does seem like D is placing Snape in needless danger 
by declaring that he's D's spy, as well as rendering him totally 
ineffective.
In my ponderings it occured to me that there could very well be 
something like a Confidentiality Charm on the court. That way it 
could prevent the people in the court room from repeating anything 
that could endanger an innocent, like Snape.
After all, I don't believe we've ever heard anyone *really* discuss 
what went on in the court. Harry learned about it in the pensieve, 
not through direct conversation, and although they discuss it later, 
I don't *think* that Dumbledore explicitly told Harry anything that 
would only have been learned in the court. And if he did, well, maybe 
the pensieve experience rendered Harry 'in the know' enough that 
Dumbledore could discuss it with him. 
I've even got some (if rather flimsy) canon to back this up. Rita 
Skeeter says to Harry in GoF that 'I know things about Ludo Bagman 
that could make your hair curl.', or something to that effect. Harry 
saw her at Bagman's trial and surmised that Bagman's proported DE 
activities were what Rita was referring to. Assuming Harry was right, 
why didn't she *tell* him, or write an article making it public. 
Certainly not out of discretion or integrity. It *must* have been the 
charm. :)

Ok, that was my two knuts on the subject,
Molly