Snape's Loyalties

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 73740

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Arya" <jdq53562 at a...> wrote:
> ... I am wandering down the road of thought that Snape is really 
> posing as a spy but working at times for Malfoy/Volde.
> 

bboy_mn:
We must remember that Snape is a double agent; he is a spy for both
sides. Snape tells Dumbledore he is spying on Voldemort, and he tells
Voldemort he is spying on Dumbledore. 

At some point in order maintain his credibility, he must betray both
masters. He has to give Voldemort information about Dumbledore, other
wise, Voldemort is never going to trust him; he has to prove his loyalty. 

We assume that Dumbledore knows Snape is a double agent and therefore
accepts that Snape must give up some information. In most cases, if
they are smart, they, Snape and Dumbledore, will just give Voldemort
information that confirms what he already knows. 

For example, Snape could tell Voldemort that Harry saw him talking to
Rookwood and punishing Avery. Voldemort already knows that Harry
occassionally see events happening around Voldemort, but Voldemort may
not have known about that specific event. This is of value to
Voldemort bacause it confirms that the connection to Harry is still
there, and consequently, that his access to Harry's mind is still
available. It also informs Voldemort that Dumbledore is now aware that
he has access to specialized information that only Rookwood would
have. So, to some extent, that appears to be valuable information to
Voldemort, but doesn't compromise the Order in any way. Snape could
also confirm that Harry is still having the Department of Mysteries
dreams, that would confirm to Voldemort that he is effectively
reaching Harry's mind. Again, that would be valuable to Voldemort, but
wouldn't compromise the Order in any way.


> 
> Snape tells Harry to "clear his mind of all thought" both to begin 
> Occlumency and when he goes to sleep at night.  
>
> ...edited...
> Now, we don't know much about Occlumency except for what Snape tells
> us. ...edited...
>
> Any thoughts??


bboy_mn continues:

I think that the reason Harry is weaker after the lessons with Snape
is because those lesson alway inflamed his emotions. That makes Snape
very unsuited to giving Harry the lessons. 

I don't think that Snape is intensionally trying to make Harry more
vulnerable, but I think due to the animosity between them, it is
having that effect.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn