Timing & the Dada position

[Matt]

No: HPFGUIDX 139233

--- Denya wrote:
> 
> I was just re-reading the first 3 chapters of HBP, and the 
> timing of the UV struck me.
> 
> ..........
> 
> At [the time of Chapter 2: Spinner's End], Dumbledore has 
> already injured his hand, recovered the ring horcrux, and 
> made the decision to put Snape in the Dada position (as 
> he's inviting Slughorn back), thus guaranteeing that Snape 
> will leave Hogwarts at some point in the coming year.
> 
> That timing seems to limit the options considerably 
> vis-à-vis Snape being fooled into, or tricked into, or 
> beguiled-by-blue-eyes into the UV.  

I have to disagree with the premise that Dumbledore had told Snape he
was getting the Dark Arts job.  Unless Chapter 2 occurs after Chapter
3 (and I agree with you that they are written as happening more or
less contemporaneously), Dumbledore does not have an acceptance from
Slughorn yet.  I think it unlikely that he would have offered Snape
the Dark Arts position before getting Slughorn on board -- he would
need to keep his options open for finding another teacher, which could
require a different rejuggling of the staff.

Moreover, as aussie notes, Snape specifically points out to Narcissa
and Bellatrix that Dumbledore has never allowed him to teach Defense.
 While many of the statements Snape makes in that scene may be
suspect, that one pretty clearly indicates that Snape does not know he
will get the Dark Arts position.  It would have been self-defeating in
the extreme for Snape to try to convince the sisters that Dumbledore
mistrusts him (and that they, therefore, should trust him) by making a
statement that would be proven false only a few weeks later.  

-- Matt