Snape and the Order

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 93980

> Potioncat:
<snip> 
> I began adding to this post, continuing in my agreement with Debbie 
> that Snape began teaching after the year started. I also used as 
> canon Sirius' surprise that Snape is a teacher at Hogwarts.  But, 
> Carol made a good point (as usual) that there was no reason for 
> Sirius to know. After all, how many young men in their 20's keep 
> tabs on the faculty of their old school? And we all believe that no 
> one in the Order knew about Snape. So now I'm on the fence yet again.
> 
> I can accept something like this:  Some of the DE's are placed in
the MoM. So when an opening or two come up at Hogwarts, Snape suggests 
> he apply as a way of keeping tabs on DD. He's already working for 
> DD, although LV doesn't know it. This gives Snape protection 
> (Hogwarts magic) and better access to DD.  Shortly after school 
> starts LV makes his move and gets blasted and Snape continues at 
> Hogwarts in anticipation of LV's eventual return.
> 
> I just realized that this sounds just like the double-agent theory, 
> which I don't agree with, but I'm not sure how to explain the 
> difference.

Carol:
I do think he was a double agent, but it doesn't really matter here. I
agree that Snape discovered (or was informed of) an opening at
Hogwarts before the term began and was at Hogwarts as a teacher when
the murder at Godric's Hollow occurred (and of course remained there
afterwards). I hadn't thought about the MoM connection. I had
envisioned Snape reading in the Daily Prophet about the death of the
Hogwarts DADA teacher, checking the help wanted ads, and discovering
that the position was open. Then, as you say, he could have suggested
to LV that teaching there would be an ideal way of spying on DD, and
LV would have responded favorably to the idea, not knowing that Snape
was already working with DD.

Alternatively, and I have no canon whatever to back this up, but it's
another possibility that has occurred to me: Maybe LV arranged the
death of the DADA teacher (having Malfoy or someone AK him over the
summer holiday) specifically to make that position available to Snape,
who naturally would jump at the chance to be safely at Hogwarts with
DD, away from the Muggle-baiting and other disreputable activities of
the Death Eaters. He would, of course, pretend to be spying for LV but
really be working for DD, just as in the first scenario. In both
cases, Snape would be given the Potions position instead of the DADA
position he applied for, with the DADA position presumably going to
the old Potions teacher.

Any reason why you don't like the double agent theory? What would you
propose in its place?

Carol, who is just speculating here but is interested in other
people's reactions and alternative scenarios