Snape and GOF

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 144387

Mari:
> I have read back over this Chapter and am realising in a new way 
> exactly how clever Snape is being here. He is using, I believe, a 
> mixture of truth and lies that is very convincing. We know, for 
> example, that he most definitely does *not* believe that Harry is 
> mediocre in the last degree, as he claims. 

Jen: You don't think Snape really views Harry the way he presented 
him? I thought that was probably one of the truths he was telling! 
In one sense, spreading that rumour about Harry having 'no 
extraordinary talent at all' does protect Harry because he will 
continue to be underestimated. In another sense, what a blow to 
Voldemort's ego, outsmarted by a mediocre, underage wizard. Perhaps 
that's why Snape explained that Harry is helped out by sheer luck 
and talented friends, to assauge the Dark Lord's failure. I think 
Snape meant everything he said about Harry.

On another note, I found what Snape left out about Harry *very*
revealing--no mention of why he is the One, no mention of why he
is the Dark Lord's equal. Either Dumbledore has not discussed this 
with Snape or Snape knows and doesn't believe it. Perhaps Voldemort 
questioned Snape about the prophecy but Bella didn't, so Snape 
didn't bring it up with her.

Mari: 
> The most interesting thing is that if Snape (as seems highly 
> likely) is the one who Voldemort believed had left him forever,
> Voldemort *also* said 'he will be killed, of course.' Since Snape
> convinced Voldemort to trust him when he was sent back by 
> Dumbledore, Voldemort has not carried out this threat yet. 

Jen: I really wonder if Snape convinced Voldemort so thoroughly. I 
think Voldemort placed Snape at Hogwarts way back when as the inside 
man for killing Dumbledore. After returning to his body, Voldemort 
simply saw the value of keeping Snape at Hogwarts while he went on 
the prophecy hunt, expecting to get back to killing Dumbledore when 
the time was right. I'm guessing he will view the AK as the proof of 
loyalty he was looking for. Since he trusts no one but has to keep 
the followers who are left, it makes sense he would gamble on the 
likes of 'slippery friend' Lucius, 'cowardly' Wormtail, and 'one who 
left him forever' Snape.

What I'd still like to know is how Snape passed off that comment 
about helping dispose of Sirius when Nacissa was sitting right there-
-didn't Dumbledore say Kreacher passed the information about Sirius 
to Narcissa? Maybe this was figured out right after the release and 
I missed it, but it seems incongruous.

Jen