The Good and Evil of Snape

[LadySawall at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 99626

In a message dated 05/28/2004 12:22:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Mary writes:
> Here's a somewhat related question for you to ponder.  Wouldn't 
Voldemort and the Death Eaters know that Snape is a spy?  In the GOF 
when Harry is in the pensieve, Dumbledore vouches for Snape 
publicly.  Wouldn't that knowledge be known?
---

Jo Ann:

I've been wondering for some time now whether even Snape is sure which side 
he's on.  (Going on the assumption here that he really is a spy, which is, I 
know, an arguable theory.)  He may be surviving by walking a very narrow line 
between Dumbledore and Voldemort, being as useful as he possibly can be to both 
while avoiding actions that will damn him in the eyes of either.  Using each 
as an excuse against the other.

The perverse thing is, both DD and LV may be completely aware of this fact, 
with DD trying to play it both ways (allowing Severus to continue this 
precarious balancing act and just hoping he won't fall) and LV using him for all he's 
worth.

If you're into the DD as Machiavellian manipulator theme (I'm not, 
especially, but I can see how it would work,) then it could almost be seen as a 
conscious game that he and Voldemort are playing.  Each giving up bits and pieces of 
useful intelligence, even sacrificing pieces here and there, in the hopes of 
creating a diversion from something more important, or of getting something back 
that will prove more important than his opponent realizes.  Which would put 
our unfortunate Potions Master in a highly uncomfortable position.

If this is anywhere near true, then the question is, how long can Snape keep 
it up; and when he's forced to finally choose (as he surely will be,) which 
side will he land on?  Or will he finally make a critical mistake that will get 
him killed or otherwise discombobulated?  Or quite simply reach the end of his 
usefulness?

I'd really hate to see him just fail to return from a meeting with the Death 
Eaters one day, and show up at a later time brainwashed and fighting against 
the Order.  With Voldemort giggling madly in the background...

Jo Ann


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