Snape's Hiring

[junediamanti]

No: HPFGUIDX 86302

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Julie" <inky_quill at h...> wrote:
>
(snippage)
Julie:
> I've a question that I hope someone can help me with, regarding the 
> end of Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix.
(more snippage) 
> I've read each book several times (US edition), but can't seem to 
> find the information.  I've been told through another list that JKR 
> clearly stated in O of P that Severus Snape's presence teaching at 
> Hogwarts was ordered and approved of by Lord Voldemort in order to 
> spy on Dumbledore.  (She/he is emphatic that this is one more piece 
> of evidence that Snape was at the rebirth in the graveyard and is 
> really ultimately loyal to Voldemort and not Dumbledore.) 
> 
>> Julie

I've heard this posited elsewhere too and think it is incorrect.  It 
is impossible that Snape's appointment had anything to do with being 
at the behest of Voldemort and I refer you to his exchange with 
Umbridge in OOP as canonical evidence.  Exact quote not certain but 
he states he has been a teacher for 14 years at that point.  This 
means he was appointed AFTER the fall of Voldemort - I calculate he 
commenced on the September after LV's fall.  QED Voldemort had no 
impact on his appointment.  

As a result he is not there primarily as a spy for LV.  He may well 
now be loyal to LV (Though I believe not) but he was not placed there 
by LV - it just doesn't add up.

Incidentally is the post you are referring to the  
famous "Apothecary's son" post?  Which also stated that Snape cannot 
be of "smart" background because he swears and spits?    I assure 
anyone that rude behaviour does not preclude anyone from membership 
of the British upper classes. (Just another point).

June