Why Dumbledore trusts Snape

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 116843

Pippin wrote in passing:

> (Dumbledore's 
> confidence in Snape is another matter -- I would guess Fawkes 
> is involved in that.) 

This got me to thinking. Dumbledore must trust Snape so 
completely because of one of three reasons that I can see.

1. Because of something Snape *did*. For example, it was a 
potion concocted by Snape that saved baby Harry from the
AK curse Voldemort threw at him. (Again, just an example,
since I don't think this is the reason.) Or, using Pippin's 
theory above, Snape saved Fawkes. Or something else,
but whatever he did proved his loyalty to Dumbledore.

2. Because of something Snape *is*. Snape is related to
Dumbledore, Snape is related to Voldemort through some 
connection between Voldy's mother's family and the Snapes, 
Snape with his potions ability was able to concoct something
that will help destroy Voldemort. Whether Snape's nature 
prompts DD to bring him back into the family fold, or allows 
him access into the confidence of Uncle Voldy, or gives him 
the unique ability to do something else (turn into a bat? <g>), 
it is that very nature which makes Dumbledore believe Snape's 
loyalty is secured. 

3. Because of a betrayal by Voldemort so deep that there 
is no question where Snape's loyalty now lies. For example, 
Voldemort had Snape's wife/son/other family member killed,
for reasons from questionable loyalty of said victim to "freeing"
Snape from any distracting emotional entanglements. In 
this scenario Voldy would have to be blind to the possibility
of Snape feeling resentment or grief, but Voldemort is blind
to loyalty based on emotions like love.

There are probably more, but these are the three that seem
most likely to me. And if we only knew what it was Dumbledore
had to ask of Snape at the end of GoF, we'd probably know
which one (if any) was correct!

Julie 



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