Snape's Hiring

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 86362

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Julie" <inky_quill at h...> wrote:

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.
> 
> 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.) 

Geoff:
There is a fair bit of canon which points the other way.

"'Not yet!' cried Karkaroff looking quite desperate, 'Wait, I have more!'
Harry could see him sweating in the torchlight, his white skin contrasting strongly with the black of his hair and beard.
'Snape!'he shouted, "Severus Snape!'
'Snape has been cleared by this council,' said Crouch coldly. 'He has been vouched for by Albus Dumbledore.'.........
Dumbledore had got to his feet. 'I have given evidence already in this matter,' he said calmly. 'Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he rejoined our side before Lord Voldemort's downfall and turned spy for us at great personal risk. He is now no more a Death eater than I am.'"

(GOF "The Pensieve" p.513 UK edition)

Later in the chapter, Harry asks Dumbledore about Snape and is told 
that Snape has never been accused again of Dark activity. Harry asks:

"'What made you think he'd really stopped supporting Voldemort, Professor?'
Dumbledore held Harry's gaze for a few seconds and then said, 'That, Harry, is a matter between Professor Snape and myself.'"

(ditto p.524)

Unless DD is being completely fooled, his vouching for Snape should 
clinch the matter.

Geoff