Snape's reporting methods

[Tanya Swaine]

No: HPFGUIDX 97615

While I was reading GOF, yet again.  Something registered with me, for the
first time about Snape's reporting methods.  First, here is the segment in
the book

.......................................Dumbledore drew his wand out of the
inside of his robes and placed the tip into his own silvery hair, near his
temple. When he took the wand away, hair seemed to be clinging to it - but
then Harry saw that it was in fact a glistening strand of the same strange
silvery-white substance that filled the Pensieve. Dumbledore added this
fresh thought to the basin, and Harry, astonished, saw his own face
swimming around the surface of the bowl. Dumbledore placed his long hands
on either side of the Pensieve and swirled it, rather as a gold prospector
would pan for fragments of gold.... and Harry saw his own face change
smoothly into Snape's, who opened his mouth and spoke to the ceiling, his
voice echoing slightly.
"It's coming back . . . Karkaroff's too . . . stronger and clearer than
ever..."
"A connection I could have made without assistance," Dumbledore sighed,
"but never mind." He peered over the top of his half-moon spectacles at
Harry, who was gaping at Snape's face, which was continuing to swirl around
the bowl. "I was using the Pensieve when Mr. Fudge arrived for our meeting
and put it away rather hastily. Undoubtedly I did not fasten the cabinet
door properly. Naturally, it would have attracted your
attention."................................................................

Right, reading this, it had me wondering.  I have heard often that Snape is
likely to report regularly to Dumbledore, and as these are Dumbledore's
personal memories.  I wonder if the fact that Snape is not looking at
Dumbledore while talking, whether that actually helps him with
occulumcy.  If he doesn't have a visual memory........................

Thoughts anyone?

Tanya
h


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