'the one who left for ever' Was: JKR chat

[ghinghapuss]

No: HPFGUIDX 92336

> > Susan wrote:
> > Not necessarily, I don't think, Carol.  Why couldn't Snape be the 
> > coward who would be punished?  This could explain why there 
hasn't  been a rift between Snape & the Malfoys.  If Lucius believed 
Snape  was the betrayer who'd left forever, he'd sever ties with 
Snape,  wouldn't he?  <snip>
 
> Carol:
<snip> I don't think Lucius Malfoy believes Snape has left forever, 
>nor would he think that Snape is a coward. IMO Snape simply 
>explained to him that he couldn't apparate from Hogwarts or arouse 
>DD's Suspicions by leaving the Tri-Wizard Tournament to appear in 
>the graveyard, and Malfoy passed that explanation on to LV, who was 
>either persuaded or pretended to be persuaded because he thought 
>that continued communication between Snape and Malfoy could be 
>useful. Snape, being Snape, could probably persuade them both.


Mandy here:
Sorry I had to snip both of your interesting posts. The elves are out 
in full force these days, and I only have a responce to a small part 
of both.

You both seem to imply that Lucius Malfoy can't believe that Snape 
is 'the one who left forever,' as if he did, he would sever all ties 
with him.  I disagree.   For Malfoy, it actually doesn't matter where 
Snape's true loyalties lie, as long as he (Malfoy) believes they lie 
somewhere, and he (Malfoy) has those options and eventualities 
covered.  Which of course, the brilliant Malfoy does.  No question, 
as he would be a fool not to, and all the better to control Snape 
with.  

What matters to Malfoy is, that he believes he has a loyal mole 
(regardless of which side Snape is truly on) planted inside Hogwarts, 
who is supplying him with information for the Boss. Information that 
even does not have to be on the Order and it's movements, but 
information on DD and Harry Potter.  LV two most important enemys.  
Whether Snape is really passing on valid or crucial info or not is 
irrelevant, as long as it appears to be so.  What matters is that 
Malfoy has an 'in' at Hogwarts and it makes him look golden to LV.

Malfoy, LV and the world can believe that Snape has 'left for ever' 
but no one can deny Snape is still visible as Malfoy's 'lap dog' and 
is leading people, DD and HP, to believe that he is spying on LV. So 
Snape has to have a real relationship with Malfoy. One that is 
convincing. Snape has to be passing on info to the LV as well as 
taking info back to the Order. But others on this site have argued 
that far more effectively that I ever could.

So, for Malfoy, if he believes Snape is really a loyal DE, great. 
Snape has convincingly fooled DD and is filtering info on to LV.  
Or if Malfoy believes Snape is really a loyal member of the Order and 
a traitor to LV, great.  As Snape is still, to the world 
Malfoy's 'friend' and for want of a better term 'lap dog,' and to 
maintain that position Snape has to work for Malfoy, do what Malfoy 
desires.  Malfoy has a potential gold mine of information in Snape to 
tap when he chooses, or so he thinks.  Malfoy could very well believe 
that he has manipulated Snape into the position where at any moment, 
at Malfoy discretion; Snape will have no choice but to tell all to LV 
and the DE.  

The question here is, is Snape smart, strong and brave enough to 
allow Malfoy to believe this? Even if it is not true?  I think Snape 
is that clever and that brave. 

Mandy