Snape, Spy and Assassin

[Judy]

No: HPFGUIDX 46846

Like Acire, I am "TBAY-impaired" but can't resist the lure of that
single, simple, sibilant syllable: "Snape." Spy!Snape. Assassin!Snape.
Snape!snape!snape!snape!snape!!!  So, here is my prosaic offering. 

I'm completely convinced that Snape's task at the end of GoF is to
return to spying on Voldemort.  Here's my reasons for thinking this. 
First, there's the timing.  He's sent on the task immediately after
Voldemort's return.  Second, it's something that Dumbledore "must ask
of" Snape, which implies that the task is vital and that Snape is the
only one who can do it. Spying on Voldemort fits both of these
criteria.  Third, the task is clearly supposed to be dangerous,
judging by Dumbledore's concerned look; spying on Voldemort certain
fits this criterion as well.  

I can't think of any other task it could be.  I don't buy the theory
that Snape is supposed to wrest control of Azkaban from the dementors.
I don't think Dumbledore will be able to neutralize the threat from
the dementors --  I think JKR is setting up a release of the Azkaban
prisoners in subsequent books, which will be one reason why the Dark
Lord will become "more terrible than before."  And like Cindy, I don't
think Snape could guard the Azkaban prisoners and yet be back for the
farewell dinner at the end of GoF.  (BTW, I loved the line about Snape
"arranging conjugal visits for the Lestranges,"  Cindy.) 

So, the big problem is "Why in the world would Voldemort take Snape
back, after Snape went over to Dumbledore's side?" A difficult
question, but I can think of several reasons:

1) Voldemort doesn't want to believe that Snape actually was spying on
him.

It's well known that Snape was a double-agent by the end of VoldeWar
I.  But, that still leaves Voldemort with the question of whose side
Snape was *really* on.  Voldemort has two choices.  He can believe
that (A) Snape was working for Dumbledore and spying on Voldemort,
while Voldemort was dumb enough to trust him; or  (B) Snape was
working for Voldemort and spying on Dumbledore, while Dumbledore was
dumb enough to trust him. 

So, which will Voldemort believe?  Remember, we're talking about
*Voldemort* here. "Evil Overlord" Voldemort.  "I'm the greatest wizard
ever" Voldemort. "Phoenix Tears, I forgot" Voldemort.  He's going to
go with choice B.  Voldemort will think that Snape was really on his
side all along, and pulled the wool over the eyes of "that fool"
Dumbledore. 


2) Voldemort believes he can infallibly detect lies.

Repeatedly, Voldemort claims that he can tell when someone is lying to
him.  I suspect that JKR intends this to be true, that this is one of
Voldemort's powers. But, even if Voldemort really doesn't have this
power, he clearly *thinks* that he does.  So, he won't think Snape can
lie to him, and his guard will be down.  

Perhaps you're wondering "How could Snape deceive Voldemort, if
Voldemort always can detect lies?" Well, it would be difficult and
risky, but not impossible. Suppose Snape goes to Voldemort at the end
of GoF. I imagine a conversation like the following.
Voldemort: "Bwahahaha, no one can fool me!  I can easily tell if you
are loyal to me.  Tell me, Snape, my slippery friend, whose side are
you on?"  
Snape: "Why, the winning side of course, my Lord.  That is why I have
returned to you." 
At this point, Voldemort's enormous ego kicks in and he assumes that
"the winning side" is *his* side, even though Snape never said any
such thing.

3) Snape may have a potion that increases persuasiveness.

We've seen potions that improve one's conversation skills --
scintillating solution, and wit-sharpening potion -- in the books.
And, there are objects in folklore (such as the Blarney Stone) that
have the magical property to make one more convincing.  So, potions
that make a speaker more convincing are quite possible within the
Potterverse, and who better to brew (or invent) one than Snape? 
Dumbledore asks Snape if he is prepared for his task, which could mean
that some elaborate preparation such as potion brewing is required. 
If Snape invented the potion, Voldemort would not know that it
existed.  Even if the potion had been invented earlier, perhaps
Voldemort might have forgotten about it. (Especially if the potion is
based on phoenix tears!) 

The bottom line is, Voldemort refuses to believe that anyone can
outsmart him.  This would be Snape's biggest advantage in trying to
spy on Voldemort. 

OK, so I firmly believe in Spy!Snape.  Now, what about Assassin!Snape?
I have to confess, I had never thought of the possibility that Snape
would assassinate Karkaroff.  But now that Cindy has proposed this
theory, I love it.  It's just got to be true. JKR is setting it up so
that Snape has perfect excuses to kill Karkaroff.  

First, Karkaroff tried to save his own hide by putting Snape in
Azkaban.  I can just picture a flashback to Karkaroff telling Snape,
"I'm sorry I tried to sacrifice you, but I had no choice -- you
understand, don't you?"  followed by Snape about to AK Karkaroff
and saying, "I'm sorry I have to sacrifice you, but I have no choice
-- you understand, don't you?"  

Second, there are those, um, you know, er, hints that Karkaroff
sexually exploited Snape.  You know, the stuff about Karkaroff acting
like he's attracted to Victor Krum combined with the fact that Krum is
described as looking like Snape.  And also the fact that Snape is on
first-name terms with "Igor" and apparently with absolutely no one
else.  If Karkaroff had molested Snape, that would be a good reason
for Snape to be willing to assassinate him.  Er, JKR did say something
about the books getting darker as they went along, now didn't she? 

Furthermore, if Snape returns to spying on Voldemort, Karkaroff will
have to be assassinated by *someone*, due to Voldeort's "One DE that
has left me forever, one too cowardly to return" statement. I believe
that, at the time of the graveyard scene, Voldemort believed Snape had
left him forever and planned to kill him, while planning to punish
Karkaroff for being too cowardly to return.  However, if Voldemort
becomes convinced that Snape is on his side, he will still need to
kill one of the DEs in order to follow through on his statement in the
graveyard.  He might as well kill Karkaroff, who seems entirely
useless (at best.)  And who better to do it than Snape?  The murder
might serve as Snape's punishment, and having Snape be the assassin
would save Voldemort from some awkward questions: 
Voldemort: "Hey MacNair, can you kill Karkaroff and while you're at
it, crucio Snape a bit for me?"  
MacNair: "Huh, Boss?  I was expecting you'd want me to kill Snape and
crucio Karkaroff instead." 
Voldemort: "Yeah, well, an overlord can change his mind once in a
while, can't he?" 
No, it's much tidier if Snape kills Karkaroff, rather than involving
another DE in this whole "killing and punishing" thing. 

OK, so I'm convinced of Assassin!Snape.  Now, which version do I
prefer?

Cindy suggested the possibility of 'Karkaroff's Head On A Stake':
> Snape apparates straight to Voldemort's lair clutching two things in
> his slimy hands to prove his loyalty beyond question -? 
> Karkaroff's wand and Karkaroff's *head.*"

Oh my, that's Bangy!  Yes, indeed -- my ears are still ringing.  I
think that's a bit *too* Bangy.  Snape is supposed to be a good guy,
after all.  And, 'Bring Him In Alive' (to be crucio'ed by Voldemort)
isn't much better. 

So, I will have to go with 'The Devil Made Me Do It', described by
Cindy as:
>...Snape goes to Voldemort, who sends him after Karkaroff *or else,* 
> so Snape -- deeply conflicted 
> and racked with guilt -- does what he must do.

Ah, Snape, deeply conflicted and racked with guilt, doing what he must
do!  That's the Snape we all know and love!  (We do all love him,
right?  RIGHT?) 


Snapefan!Judy