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

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 93062

Earendil:
I sincerely believe Karkaroff to be the "one who has left 
forever". <snip>
By giving away the names of fellow Deatheaters Karkaroff 
condemned himself to never return to the Dark Lord's side. 
And this would leave Snape as the coward.
 

Mo:
I really like your theory! 
It actually changes my mind about some things, and now I am 
starting to look at the "three" (left forever, coward, faithful) 
differently.
<snip> However, my question is, was Snape ever in the "closest circle"
of Voldemorts? I can't recall. Because, if he wasn't, he wouldn't 
have  been listed among the "three."
 
If you believe Karkaroff was in the 'closest circle' (indifferently 
as the one who left forever or as the coward), then it would be 
logical to assume Snape was as well. First, Karakaroff and Snape 
know each other well. Second, Snape's role among the Deatheaters was 
important enough for Karkaroff to mention his name at his trial. 
Besides, Snape was close enough to Voldemort to do some spying for 
the Order... And Snape seems to be a close friend of Lucius Malfoy, 
who was proven to be one of the inner circle...
 
I personnally think Snape was one of the close circle, but it's only 
speculation. We have no real 'canon' proof of his closeness (as far 
as I can remember anyway).

Carol:
He was named by Karkaroff in the pensieve scene in GoF and he
certainly was "called" to the meeting. His Dark Mark, like
Karkaroff's, was becoming more distinct (and probably causing him
pain). See my post 92945 on the Dark Mark:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/92945

BTW, I remain persuaded that Snape is "the one who . . . has left us
forever" and Karkaroff is the coward (whose flight from Hogwarts LV
must have been informed of by the "faithful servant," Barty Jr.). It
was Karkaroff's giving away the names of fellow Death Eaters that
caused his flight, which is why I believe that Karkaroff wants him
*punished* rather than killed. Karkaroff has not renounced his
beliefs; he has only run away to avoid punishment. If that isn't
cowardice, I don't know what is. (I can't see even LV construing
Snape's decision to remain at Hogwarts as cowardice. LV knows he's
there and that he chose to remain there both before and after the
meeting in the graveyard. How that decision could be construed as
cowardice, even by LV, escapes me.)

"Flee, then! Flee! I will remain at Hogwarts." Those are not the words
of a coward.

Carol