Snape as a Spy, but for Whom?

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 86460

> > > bboy_mn:
> > >
> > > One minor point regarding Snape's interaction with Quirrell while
> > > Voldemort possessed Quirrell; ..., while Voldemort can be unhappy 
> > > about it, he certainly can't blame Snape, or consider Snape's 
> > > actions as being directed against Voldemort.
> > >
> 
> 
> > K
> > 
> > And if Snape's counting on that then he's- 
> > a) very very sure of his value to Voldemort, 
> > b) loyal to Dumbledore to the point of taking extreme risks - and
> > I mean above and beyond the 'normal' risks of spying here, or 
> > c)insane.
> > 
> > Because I'm not sure I'd want to risk my life on the assumption that
> > the insane psychopath I was pretending to follow was going to act in
> > an incredibly reasonable, forgiving and logical manner.
> > 
> > K
> 
> bboy_mn:
> 
> I have no doubt that Snape paid a high price in PAIN, for messing with
> Voldemort's efforts to get the Stone. And another high price in pain,
> just to remind Snape, that failure (or betrayal) are not an option. 
> 
> I think Voldemort is very sure of Snape's value, but perhaps for
> different reasons than Snape views his own value. Certainly, Voldemort
> knows Snape, having been a teacher at Hogwarts and working closely
> with Dumbledore, has a lot of valuable information and insight into
> Dumbledore. But that doesn't mean he fully trust or has fully taken
> Snape back into the fold. It just means that for now, he sees Snape as
> being useful. 
> 
> When his preceived usefulness is gone, then Snape is gone along with
it. 

Carol:
I agree with Kathryn. Snape would have been insane to go directly to
Voldemort, occlumency or no occlumency. As you (Steve) conceded
earlier, it would have been much safer and more sensible (dangerous
but not crazy) to go to Malfoy with his explanation of why he wasn't
at the graveyard. Snape is braver than most Slytherins, but he knows
the difference between the necessary risk of being betrayed by Malfoy
and the certainty of being tortured or murdered by Voldemort.

As for his being killed off when his perceived usefulness is gone, no
doubt that's Voldemort's plan. But I think he's underestimated Snape,
who's more than a match in cunning and overall wizardry for any Death
Eater we've seen. Voldemort would have to AK him in person to kill him
off, and I for one don't think that's going to happen.

Carol