Timing & the Dada position

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 138885

Denya:
 
> I was just re-reading the first 3 chapters of HBP, and the timing of 
> the UV struck me.
> 
> All three chapters take place 2 weeks after the end of term.  (It's 
> just possible that 1 & 2 take place up to a week *after* 3, but 
> certainly not before).

houyhnhnm:

I agree with your timeline.  The action in the first three chapters
takes place at the same time (or nearly so).

Denya:

> It is also clear that Snape is at least to some 
> degree lying in that scene.  He says: "He intends 
> me to do it in the end, I think.  But he is 
> determined that Draco should try first.  You 
> see, in the unlikely  event that Draco succeeds, 
> I shall be able to remain at Hogwarts a little 
> longer, fulfilling my useful role as a spy." 
> (P. 39 UK edition)

houyhnhnm:

That statement seemed suspicious to me, too.  Your interpretation
depends on Snape's knowing of the curse and believing in it.  But how
can he not know after 16-17 years at Hogwarts.

My thought when I read it was that it suggests he doesn't know what
Draco is supposed to do, because how can he assume that Hogwarts would
remain open after the headmaster has been assassinated by a student. 
What would be the need for him to remain at Hogwarts as a spy if
Dumbledore is dead.

Reading that passage again also put me in mind of another towards the
end of the book, which also deals with Snape's expectations for the
future.

---------------------------------------------------
"You still got detention with Snape this Saturday?" Ron continued.
"Yeah, and the Saturday after that, and the Saturday after that,"
sighed Harry. "And he's hinting now that if I don't get all the boxes
done by the end of term, we'll carry on next year."  (HBP, AE, p. 539)
---------------------------------------------------

Is Snape dissembling because he is afraid Harry already knows too much
? (I do think the purpose of the increasingly lengthy detentions was
partly to keep Harry away from Draco.)

Or are we now dealing with The Melancholy!Snape, The Man Who Cannot
Make Up His Mind and is simply waiting for his fate to overtake him?