Did Snape lie in Spinner's End? Was:Re: Snape and GOF

[ornadv]

No: HPFGUIDX 144402

>Elyse
>During Spinner's End, when Snape said he actively contributed to
>Sirius' death, I cheered inwardly at what I thought I knew was an
>absolute lie,

Orna:
I don't understand. Why is it assumed, that the only way Snape could 
have boasted to contribute to Sirius' death is by passing the 
information on Harry's attachment towards Sirius to the Malfoys or 
to Voldemort? He doesn't say – I actively contributed to Harry's 
allurement to the MoM. As I read it, he could be talking about what 
Harry was thinking:  provoking Sirius to leave his hiding-place. He 
could be talking about opening Harry's mind for Voldemort. He could 
be talking about informing Sirius that Harry is in the MoM.
Actually, it is a double-edged sword - because Voldemort wanted 
first of all the prophecy, and any connection of Snape towards 
alarming the order wouldn't be a very wise confession, IMO. So I 
found it quite risky to admit having anything to do with Sirius' 
death. It might be a way of a snivelly compliment for Bella's ears. 

Anyway – as I read it could be true in a sense, and a complete 
hollow lie – just for their ears. But I don't think it meant he had 
passed the information to the Malfoys. 
I can invent a scenario which fits it in a way:
The only thing, which is cannon-supported, as far as I remember, is 
that   Lucius (or Draco) told Snape he saw and recognized Sirius as 
a dog on the platform, hugging Harry – as it was. It opens the 
opportunity for a conversation between them, Lucius saying - wasn't 
this dog Sirius, and how come he risks being out of hiding just to 
hug Harry farewell? And Snape admitting that there was a special 
relationship between them. (Not a big deal under the circumstances, 
and incidentally a piece of information Wormtail could know, after 
PoA). Actually it is the sort of information a double-spy would 
provide - not exclusive, juicy, and somehow known. The fact they 
waited until Kreacher supported this peace of information, seems to 
hint that Snape's contribution wasn't final enough for Voldemort. 
But, it was a conversation known to the Malfoys, and thus 
strengthening his reliability as a DE-spy.
So, Snape might have put his piece of (not exclusive) information 
there, and Kreacher "sealing the package". I mean it sounds 
reasonable, that Kreacher wouldn't just converse with Narcissa, but 
more of being asked about things. So perhaps by this point, when 
Lucius saw Sirius, had Snape admitting to some relationship there 
(and he couldn't very well deny it), they made sure by asking 
Kreacher. 
In light of this, I see Snape exaggerating his part in Sirius' 
death, not anything more. But from Narcissa's POV it wasn't a lie. 
And let's say Snape is quite easy in saying it - not being too 
tormented with grief over Sirius' death.

 Orna