Dumbledore's Ironclad reason for trusting Snape (long)

[oiboyz]

No: HPFGUIDX 135867

Julie:
> Obviously Snape expressing remorse about revealing the prophecy 
> to Voldemort isn't even close to an ironclad reason for trusting 
him.
> Ironclad implies virtually no doubt exists. It implies that it's 
not a 
> matter of Dumbledore simply taking Snape at his word, but that 
> Snape would have so much to lose if he betrayed Dumbledore, 
> there's virtually no chance it will happen.

oiboyz:
   Couldn't agree more; the ironclad reason *can't* be just that 
Snape felt bad about the prophecy.  DD's not just taking the risk for 
himself; he's put Snape in a position, both at Hogwarts and in the 
Order, to harm Harry and betray everyone.  I don't think even DD 
would do that based just on a feeling that Snape's on the level.  He 
must have had some other reason, which will be revealed in Book 7 and 
change the minds of all those who are now convinced that Snape is 
ESE!  :)

Julie:
> (We don't know what additional information Snape gave
> Dumbledore to support his genuine intent, but Snape no 
> doubt revealed a few things, one of which may be that 
> Voldemort had created horcruxes in an attempt to make
> himself immortal).

oiboyz:
   My impression from HBP is that Voldie wouldn't tell anybody about 
the Horcruxes, not even his most faithful Death Eater.  They're the 
key to his immortality; if you know about the Horcruxes, you know how 
to kill Voldemort.  He ain't sharing that secret with anybody.  I bet 
Harry is now the only person besides LV himself who knows.  Oh, wait--
 RAB knows too, if he's still alive.
   However, I'm sure Snape did come up with *some* useful information 
for the Order.

Julie:
>  Now, Dumbledore is nothing if not a man who
> believes in second chances, and in redemption. He can 
> no more refuse Snape than he can turn one of his students
> out of Hogwarts. 

oiboyz:
   But he can refuse to let Snape *teach* at Hogwarts.  The fact that 
he doesn't tells us that he trusts Snape; that it's more than 
just, "I have to give him a second chance because I'm Dumbledore."

Julie:
>  only to have his AK backfire and turn him into
> Vapormort. 

oiboyz:
   Vapormort!  Haha!  Hadn't heard that one before.
 
Julie:
> Snape enters 
> and sees the bodies, but no sign of Voldemort. And in the midst 
> of it all, the baby, Harry, is crying bloody murder, and on his 
> forehead there is a strange burn mark.

oiboyz:
   It'd be cool if Snape were the first to get to Harry at Godric's 
Hollow.  I hope we find out in Book 7 who it was.  We know that 
Sirius and Hagrid argued about who'd take the baby, but DD already 
knew about it by that time so it's not likely they were the first 
ones on the scene.

Julie:
> He
> can take an Unbreakable Vow to protect their son, Harry.  
> Dumbledore is stunned when Snape passionately offers to
> do just this. 

oiboyz:
   It's quite possible, and as long as Snape has only been trying to 
get Harry expelled, not killed, he's within the letter of the vow.  
He saved Harry in PS/SS, and would've saved him in PoA if Sirius had 
really been evil.  He showed up in Barty Crouch's (fake Moody's) foe 
glass when he came with DD and McGonagall to rescue Harry in GoF-- 
JKR made a big deal about that detail.  OotP is a bit problematic; 
Snape did give Harry Occlumency lessons, but he was so horrible he 
made it hard for Harry to learn.  But maybe that was just the best 
his embittered self could do.  Then of course he saved Harry from the 
Cruciatus Curse, and perhaps from death, at the end of HBP, not to 
mention giving him one final DADA lesson before he fled.  Pretty good 
record, all told.  For someone who's hypothesized to be on 
Voldemort's side, he's been pretty assiduous about protecting Harry.  
You can count on Snape saving his hide, just like you can count on 
him being nasty to Harry afterwards.  And think of how ballistic 
Snape goes every time he catches Harry wandering the castle at 
night.  Is that just because Harry's an arrogant rule-breaker like 
his father, or is it because his risk-taking makes Snape's job harder?

   The best proof would be if Snape ever had Voldie and Harry in a 
room together... we'd see which way he'd point his wand...