JKR chat--Snape the coward or the one left forever?

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 92512

Potioncat:
<snip>
> It was Quirrel and Crouch who were in contact with LV, reporting on 
> Snape  and they 
> weren't the most reliable individuals.  With Snape speaking for 
> himself, and Malfoy (possibly) in a position to vouch for him, he 
> could have talked his way back into the fold.
> 
> But I even wonder if that has happened.  He didn't seem to know 
> about the plans for the MoM, yet Malfoy was one of the leaders at 
> the battle.  If he has gotten back in, he hasn't gotten very high.


Bear in mind that Snape has to spend most of his time at Hogwarts and
can't be present at most of the DE's meetings. The only time he might
have had direct contact with LV is during Christmas break or the
summer holidays. Again, I think most if not all of his contact is with
Lucius Malfoy, who would tell Snape only what LV wants him to know.
Nevertheless, he did know that they were after the prophecy and he
figured out (via the occlumency lessons, which I think were as much
for the Order's benefit as for Harry's) that LV was invading Harry's
mind through dreams. But Malfoy would have no opportunity to tell
Snape about the plans for the raid on the MoM, which would have been
finalized only after Kreacher revealed his secrets to Narcissa and LV
broke into Harry's mind and planted the idea that Sirius was being
tortured. Also, since Snape could hardly be present to participate in
the raid (and his loyalty to LV may still be somewhat suspect despite
his powers of persuasion), there would have been no need for Malfoy to
tell him about it. (Besides, it's more interesting to have him put two
and two together and try to prevent both Sirius and Harry from going
to the MoM. If he'd known all about the MoM plot, it would have
spoiled the story.)

Carol