[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape as baddie/Snape in the foe glass/Snape's Duty for the Order

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 111546


--- pippin_999 <foxmoth at qnet.com> wrote:

> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Magda Grantwich 
> 
> As for what Snape is doing for the Order this time out, I really
> don't think he's a spy again.  At least not the way he was the 
> first time.  There are way too many people - including six 
> Hogwarts students - who know about it, for one thing.  And I don't 
> believe he has been in Voldemort's presence since he was 
> harassing Quirrell in PS/SS.  Whatever Snape is doing, it 
> probably involves some magic we haven't seen before (there's 
> always at least one new magic technique introduced in every 
> book).<


> Pippin: 
> Six? Unless I'm missing something, only Harry, Ron and 
> Hermione know that Snape was a spy before. Fred,George and 
> Ginny know that he's doing something for the Order, but they 
> don't know what it is. Only Harry has been told that it's Snape's 
> present job to find out what Voldemort is telling his Death Eaters.


Magda's Response:

Obviously I wasn't clear.  I wasn't referring to the first time.  Six
students know that Snape is a member of the Order in OOTP.  That
means IF Snape is spying again then six students know about it. 
Therefore, whatever Snape is doing, he's not a spy otherwise more
care would be taken that he not be seen by anyone or his involvement
known.  Is that better?

> Pippin
> The way I see it, the only way Snape is alive is because he *has* 
> returned to Voldemort.  

Magda's Response

Not necessarily.  Noting that one DE "has left me forever - he will
be killed, of course" doesn't mean "I'm going to drop everything and
hunt him down and exterminate him RIGHT NOW!"  When - not if, -
Voldemort wins there will be plenty of time to whack all those
traitors and cowards who didn't come back when they were summoned. 
Also there will be the opportunity to stage a little scene whereby
Snape is brought into the Dark Lord's precence and is forced to
grovel and moan for his life while being tortured before he's finally
killed.  Sends a little lesson out to the other DE's who might be
having second thoughts.

Also even as a future target of the Dark Lord's wrath and an
acknowledged enemy to the cause, Snape has his uses.  Thanks to his
job, he has access pretty much any time he wants to Albus Dumbledore.
 I would not be surprised if Voldemort doesn't have some kind of
phony "bring me Dumbledore and I'll spare your life" deal in the back
of his mind.  Of course he'd kill Snape as soon he killed Dumbledore
but he assumes Snape wouldn't realize that, since of course the mere
mention of the DL's name is enough to strike terror into strong
wizards' hearts, blah blah blah...

No, killing Snape just to cross him off the to-do list doesn't make
much sense for Voldemort.  Especially since I think he's got another
desire up his sleeve: he wants to take over Hogwarts and make it his
HQ.  Think about it: Salazar Slytherin was a founder, its wards and
protective spells are second to none, you can't apparate onto the
grounds, it's a perfect defensive fortress for a paranoid Dark Lord.
Sort of like...coming home...in a way.  Snape, being present at
Hogwarts, might in some way be seen as an advantage for that.

Another reason Voldemort might need Snape alive is that Snape was the
potions lackey back in the old days and he needs a good potions man
to get those immortality spells going again.  

So I don't assume that just because Snape's not dead yet it means
that Voldemort has changed his mind.

Magda

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