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

[mad_maxime]

No: HPFGUIDX 92643

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at y...>
wrote:

> Carol wrote:
> As I've said, I think his position as seeming spy for Voldemort and
> real spy for Dumbledore is now in great danger of being exposed
> because both LV and Malfoy will (rightly) suspect him of having 
> acted for the Order instead of for them in the MoM affair. 
>  
> Susan:
> Carol, I'm intrigued as to why you believe Snape's now in great 
> danger of being exposed because of the MoM affair. Do you think 
> Voldy & Lucius believe DD only came because Snape must have told him 
> what was happening?  
> <snip> 
> 
> Carol:
> 
> Yes. Exactly. Maybe I'm assuming, as usual, but Kreacher probably 
> knew that Snape had contacted the Order members and he could well 
> have reported it to Malfoy or Narcissa.
> <snip>

Max:

I'm not so certain about that.  How would he have contacted them, or
they he?  Kreacher had returned to Grimmauld Place by that point in
the story. I don't see how he would have been able to tell the Malfoys
anything once he was back under Sirius' "rule".      

>  Carol:

> <snip>
> Dumbledore wasn't at Hogwarts and couldn't have known that Harry 
> was heading for the MoM unless someone told him, ans who else could
> it be besides Snape?
> <snip>

Max:

Kreacher.  OotP (p.830-831 US Edition): "All agreed to go to your aid
at once.  Professor Snape requested that Sirius remain behind, as he
needed someone at headquarters to tell me [Dumbledore] what had
happened, for I was due there at any moment. . . But Sirius did not
wish to remain behind while the others went to search for you. He
delegated to Kreacher the task of telling me what happened."

Carol:

> <snip>
> I think Snape's cover is finally blown... <snip> I don't see 
> how even Snape can wiggle out of this clear instance of being on the
> side of the Order. Can you think of a lie that could excuse him or 
> someone else he could blame without betraying the Order? Could he 
> somehow pin it on the conveniently dead Sirius? I don't think so.
> <snip>

Max:

But I think he can. Imo, it's more likely that Malfoy would just
assume Sirius had somehow forced Kreacher to admit what he had done -
ie. going to the Malfoys and then lying to Harry, letting him assume
that Sirius had gone to the DoM. With Harry gone missing, the Order
would then naturally assume he had gone after Sirius at the DoM.  

And Snape remains blameless.