Do the math

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 137908


> Potioncat:

> LV in the mean time tells Snape to go get a job with
> DD so that he can bring in more info. So Snape, now
> having a cover, goes to DD and tells 
> all. Or not.

houyhnhnm:

Why in the mean time?  Snape is not at the Hogshead to overhear the
prophecy.  No one knows it is going to be made.  He's there to apply
for a job at Hogwarts.

1.  Sometime between the spring of 1979 and the summer 1980--("I say
nothing, " she choked [fall 1995]"of sixteen years devoted service..."
 "In spidery writing was written a date of some sixteen years
previously"[June 1996]) Snape goes to Hogsmeade to apply for a job at
Hogwarts on Voldemorts orders.  He hears the first half of the
prophecy and reports back to Voldemort.

2.  July, 1980--Harry and Neville are born weeks, months or up to a
year later.

3.  October 31, 1981--James and Lily Potter are murdered in Godric's
Hollow.  Voldemort's downfall as a result of the rebounding curse.

Sometime between (2) and (3), Harry is identified as the child of the
prophecy.  (Wormtail could very easily have provided the information.)
   A plot on the lives of the Potters is formed. Snape goes *back* to
Dumbledore, either sincerely repentent or feigning repentence,
depending on your point of view, and offers to turn spy for the order.
 Dumbledore gives him a job at Hogwarts as the potions master.