Snape as a Spy, but for Whom?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 86384

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Aesha Williams"
<a_williams1 at p...> wrote:
> "Julie" <inky_quill at h...>:
> 
> 
> 
> >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. ..edited...

> Aesha :
> 
> Wow, this is a wild theory. Well, JKR never said that Snape was 
> ordered by LV to begin teaching at Hogwarts. ...edited.
>
>
> As for the cemetary at the end of GOF, I think most people assume he
wasn't there. Voldemort says ... and one who's left the fold (I
personally think he's referring to Snape). So while it's not explictly
stated that he's there, I think he's not. 
> 
> Aesha


bboy_mn:

I don't think this idea comes from anything JKR specifically said or
implied. But it fits with one of my theories (shared by many, and
equally opposed) that Snape is a Double Agent (or maybe it's a Triple
Agent, or a Double-Double Agent).

I firmly believe that Snape initially contacted Dumbledore back near
the end of the first Voldemort war, and offered to provide Dumbledore
with information. He did this with Voldemort's full knowledge. 

Voldemort send Snape to Dumbledore with some sufficiently credible
information to gain Dumbledore's trust; thereby allowing Snape to
appear to be working for Dumbledore against Voldemort. But from
Voldemort's perspective Snape is actually a false spy and is actually
spying against Dumbledore for Voldemort.

However, I believe some event occurred, probably related to the
Potters, that turned Snape truly to the good side.

The Reasoning Behind this-

Snape has kept close ties to the Death Eaters, most notibly Malfoy,
who escaped Azkaban. If they believe he were truly a spy against
Voldemort, they surely would not have associcated with the traitor
Snape, and would have probably done their best to kill him.

So, the fact that he is still friends with old Death Eaters tells me
that Snape still has good vibes with the Dark Side.

In GoF, Snape is sent on a mission by Dumbledore; most of us
speculated that mission was to get back into the good graces of
Voldemort. This would have been impossible if Voldemort truly thought
Snape was a spy for the good huys. But at the same time, Voldemort and
the Death Eaters know that Snape is friendly with Dumbledore, still
works at Hogwarts, and still present the appearance of a /reformed/
Death Eater. 

The only logical way he can be friendly with both sides, is if both
side think Snape is a spy on their behalf. 

So, Voldemort thinks Snape pretenting to be a spy for Dumbledore while
secretly spying for Voldemort. That's the only way that I can see that
Voldemort would allow Snape back in his presents without killing him.
And the only way Voldemort could possibly believe that now, is if that
is exactly what he had Snape doing the whole time. 

Dumbledore thinks just the opposite; he thinks Snape is just
pretending to be Voldemort's spy, but is secretly working for the good
guys. 

As a double agent spy, each side would have to accept that at some
point Snape is going to have to give up some valuable information in
order to maintain his credibility. That part of the price each accepts
as payment for what they hope will be much more valuable information
gained. This allows Snape some degree of betrayal of each side, while
still maintaining his good status.

In the current book, Snape does indeed appear to be spying on
Voldemort, and he does still appear to be associating with known Death
Eaters. He tells Harry that spying on Voldemort is his (Snape's) job
during the Occlumency lessons. He also recognised the place that
Voldemort is staying when he sees it in Harry's memories. How else can
this possibly be explained other than Snape being a secret agent for
both sides.

Now the question becomes, whose side is he really on. I think his true
allegiance is to Dumbledore, but Snape still may have to do some
pretty nasty things against the good guys before Voldemort is finally
defeated.

There have been many long detailed discussion of 'Snape as a Double
Agent Spy' in this group. Although, I think I have summarized it
pretty well here. Given the information we have in the books and tha
fact that Snape is able to associate freely with both sides, I can see
no other conclusion that is likely; many others that are possible but
very few others that are probable.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn