Why Spying!Snape won't happen

[rhosyn4u]

No: HPFGUIDX 58693

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
> No? But Voldemort took Pettigrew back, and Peter was 
> suspected  of having betrayed his master too.  Peter also spent  
> years under the protection of the Weasley family,  noted 
> supporters of the Ministry and champions of Muggles and 
> Muggleborns. 
> 
> How *was* Peter able to convince his master that he hadn't 
> betrayed him, anyway?  Perhaps Voldemort believed him 
> because Voldemort thinks he always *knows* when people are 
> lying to him. If Snape has a way to defeat that power, and it's 
> hard to see how he could have ever been a successful spy if he 
> hasn't, then Voldemort will think he can believe whatever Snape 
> tells him.

   I agree that Snape's supposed renunciation of Voldemort (who 
knows if this will turn out to be true or not in the end?) will not 
necessarily prevent him from turning spy again, and that he must 
have a way of deflecting Volemort's "lie-radar." On the other hand, 
something which may contradict it is Voldemort's statement in GoF 
that "One, too cowardly to return... he will pay. One, who I believe 
has left me forever... he will be killed, of course" (651). I had 
always assumed he was referring to Karkaroff and Snape, 
respectively. On the OTHER other hand (I have three, apparently), 
even if this were so, Snape and Dumbledore have no way of knowing 
this, unless Harry told/tells them. 
   All that aside, if Snape does turn spy again, I think it says 
something about his character. Pettigrew was subjected to all sorts 
of punishment for his disloyalty, and Avery received the Cruciatus 
curse. Snape cannot expect not to be severely punished if he 
does "return" to Voldemort.
 

> I can't agree with your interpretation of Snape's speech to 
> Karkaroff. To whom was Snape going to make Karkaroff's 
> excuses, if not Voldemort?  

I respectfully disagree. As Karkaroff was intending to flee, meaning 
he would disappear in the middle of the Tri-Wizard tournament, Snape 
could very plausibly have meant he would make his excuses to 
Dumbledore/Maxime/WW in general.

~rhosyn =)
   a humble newbie