How's Snape Doing it?

[capehoneysuckle]

No: HPFGUIDX 89718

lizvega2 gave a brilliant theory proposing that Snape is spying on LV
by means of impersonating Crouch Jr via polyjuice potion.

Carol responded:
> The main problem I see with this interesting theory is that the
> effects of the polyjuice potion only last an hour. Unlike
> Crouch!Moody, Snape!Crouch wouldn't have a handy hip flask to keep the
> potion from losing its effects. Also, until the end of OoP, Snape is
> clearly still on speaking terms with Lucius Malfoy, as he would not be
> if he had not explained to Malfoy that he could not leave the
> Tri-Wizard tournament to attend the graveyard meeting. Snape!Crouch
> would not have given any such explanation, and Snape would be in
> serious trouble with his DE connections. 

I think Carol is convincing, but I'm going to play the devil's
advocate anyway.

Carol's first argument against the Snape/Crouch/Polyjuice Theory is
pretty convincing. LV might be so thankful to have his number one DE
back that he isn't paying close attention, but he would still probably
eventually pick up on the imposter constantly excusing himself to slug
down a booster dose of PJ.

I think the other point might be gotten around. In reality, Snape
doesn't go to the graveyard because LV knows he has gone over to DD's
team. When Snape sees Lucius Malfoy later, in private, he explains
that he is pretending to work for DD, but secretly a double agent for
LV. He swears Malfoy to secrecy because of his fear of a double agent
in the DE corp. Thus Malfoy is not surprised that Snape never turns up
in person at the DE gatherings, but is still friendly to him in
private. Snape does this in order to maintain a second source of
information from the DE corp, since Crouch, being LV's right hand man,
may not be in a position to hear the gossip amongst the troops.

Hmm...I'm afraid the Snape/Crouch/PJ Theory is morphing into the Snape
Double Agent Theory. Well, let's just say that I'm convinced.

Honey