Huge clue to Snape's true allegence hidden in OotP?

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 144773

Orna:
> 2. I wouldn't put it past Voldemort, who after all, is quite 
> something in manipulating human feelings, as we see in OotP to
> have planned this Draco assignment, to force Snape into the open.
> Since Voldemort thinks death is the worst thing, he would never
> imagine DD (and in a way Snape) sacrificing himself. He would 
> guess Narcissa would go to Snape, who is an old family friend, and
> try to persuade him to save Draco. Perhaps that's what Snape
> means, when he says, he thinks the Dark Lord means him to do it in
> the end – he seems to know him.

Jen: Voldemort lurking behind the UV seems likely in some form or 
fashion. For one thing it fits the plot of the other books to 
discover he had a more direct hand in the HBP plot. Even when he 
wasn't physically present in POA, the backstory was driven by his 
decision to divide and conquer friends around the Potters.

And here again, divide and conquer. Narcissa and Bella are fighting 
and Bella is enraged to see Snape take on the mantle of most trusted 
servant. Lucius is in prison when Voldemort could easily break him 
out, because keeping him there puts enormous stress upon Narcissa. 
Draco starts to feel alone and scared, threatened by Voldemort. And 
*Snape*....

Maybe a crack in his Occlumency came during the interrogation when 
he returned after the graveyard? Or maybe when Dumbledore was near 
death and Snape saved him from the ring curse, did a flicker of 
feeling break through and was accessed by Voldemort? Nothing big or 
flashy, just some slight moment that gave away Snape's feelings for 
Dumbledore or his allegiance. Voldemort planned to place Snape at 
Hogwarts way back when, likely to have an inside man available to 
bring Dumbledore down. Then Godric's Hollow happened and the 
prophecy hunt--killing Dumbledore was in the works for many years 
and the plan was dependent on an inside person. So Snape probably 
wasn't lying to say he thought Voldemort planned for him to do the 
job in the end. Dumbledore and Snape expected a plot to kill 
Dumbledore, but not the UV.

Initially I thought Narcissa was completely in on the entire plan 
and lured Bella, trapped Snape, etc. Your idea of Voldemort setting 
up the conditions is even better, although it flies in the face of 
his bravado and speech-making regarding his plans. Course we don't 
have the full story yet, those speeches may yet arrive.

Orna: 
> And another thought – Voldemort would enjoy the game of this 
> torturing of – Draco, Narcissa, Snape, DD (by having him killed- 
> betrayed from his POV). It would just fit his way of psychological 
> brutalizing of his followers and enemies alike. 
> And now he has a new "playground" before him - Narcissa betraying 
> the secret, Bella questioning the Dark-Lords wisdom, and Snape - 
> being hunted by the order - more than himself, in a way.

Jen: Heh, I like your devious mind. ;) Likely we won't hear much 
about it now that the Dumbledore/Snape link is broken. Maybe in 
retrospect?

Jen