Snape as past/future spy WAS Re: Question about Snape and Quirrell

[isiscolo <isis@windom.netrack.net>]

No: HPFGUIDX 49688

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "marephraim <htfulcher at c...>" 
<htfulcher at c...> wrote:
[snip snip]

> On the other hand.... This whole exchange between Snape and Quirrell 
> leads to other questions that bear on the remaining books (5, 6, 7): 
> Snape argues with Quirrell but if he is to later (OoP, etc.) play 
> double-agent for Dumbledore, he must be careful to appear interested 
> in the stone only for himself, and not out of loyalty to Dumbledore. 
> If the Dark Lord had already taken over Quirrell's body by this 
> time, a) he would know (correctly guess) that Snape could never 
> again be trusted; or b) turn on him as he had done with Quirrell 
> himself. If he hadn't taken over Quirrell, nonetheless, he would 
> surmise 'treason' on Snape's part. 

Why, oh why, does just about everyone assume that Snape *will
be* a spy in later books?  I mean, is there some indication
of this (other than the mysterious task mentioned at the end
of GoF), or has JKR dropped hints?

I read Lord V's "one who has left me forever" comment to mean
that he *knows* that Snape is no longer a DE.  I believe that
Snape *was* a spy in the past, in between being active DE and
being Hogwarts teacher (or at least during beginning of his
tenure.  I can't see Snape as a *future* spy, because I believe
that Voldemort is fully aware of where his loyalty lies.

> > Was Snape working on his own at this point, or was he reporting to 
> > Dumbledore as he is seen doing in Goblet of Fire? Was he
> > protecting the Stone as a 'lone ranger' or as part of Dumbledore's 
> > team? Will Book Five *ever* reach the publishers?

I think that he was working for the Good Guys and not 
hiding it from Q and V.  I just don't see how V could
possibly still believe Snape to be on his side.

I.