Future of Snape's Spying

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 144938

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Dave Hardenbrook <DaveH47 at m...>
wrote:
>
> WARNING: The following theory assumes DDM!Snape.  ...
> 
> Okay -- So it appears that Snape's murder of DD places him firmly
> in Voldemort's good graces, which, if he indeed is DDM, is what 
> DD intended to make him more efficient as a spy than ever.
> 
> Problem is, what good is a spy whom everyone on his side thinks 
> is a duplicitous traitor and seems ready to kill on sight?
> 
> I think there must be *one* person whom DD has confided in -- 
> One person who knows Snape is really and truly DDM, and whom 
> Snape is going to be secretly in communication with all through
> Book 7.
> 
> Who is this person?  
>
> ...edited - list of qualities...
> .
> .
> Hermione Granger!
> 
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> -- 
> Dave
>

bboyminn:

I swear I was gearing up for you to say 'Remus Lupin', but I think you
are on to something. Throughout the books, when ever Harry or Ron make
a negative comment about Snape, Hermione reminds them that Snape tried
to save Harry's life. In a sense, she defends Snape. Certainly, she
doesn't approve of Snape's daily actions and considers him a foul
teacher and miserable person in general, but you are right, miserable
as he is, Hermione has always defended him. 

Hermione seem cool headed and rational; not prone to emotional
outbursts or provocation by anger. She might be levelheaded enough to
hear Snape out. I think re-enforcement of Snape as being emphatically
trusted by Dumbledore will come from other sources. For example, I
suspect Dumbledore's portrait will still afirm its trust in Snape. 

On the other hand, I don't think it will be an easy process. I don't
think Hermione will automatically accept Snape's assertion of
innocents, or perhaps, guilt with an explanation or mitigating
circumstances. It will be a tough road to travel, but at least
Hermione will listen with a rational mind. Still it will be a
difficult road for all of them. Harry saw what Harry saw, he saw Snape
kill Dumbledore, and explaining, pleading, or begging are going to
have a hard time overcoming that fact. So, yes, I can see Hermione
acting in the way you suggest, but I have trouble imagining what would
eventually bring her to that point of trust.

Other possible candidates are Aberforth (Dumbledore's brother) and
Remus. We don't know much about Aberforth, and he and Dumbledore don't
seem to have been too close, though we are given very little
information on their relationship. There could be aspects that we are
unaware of.

Remus, I think, is somewhat like Hermione, prone to clear rational
thinking and not prone to being ruled or controlled by his emotions.
Yet again, the evidence is working against him. Harry saw what Harry
saw, and there is not much Snape can say to easily offset that.

So, how about Mundungus? He's already a little on the dodgy side.
Snape could probably get to him easily. Any information he brought to
Harry would be suspect, but it would at least still be considered.
Considering that Mundungus already associates with some questionable
characters, it wouldn't be that odd that he wouldn't reveal his sources.

I like your suggestion, but I think in the end, it is not so much what
but how. Not will Herione or one of the other characters believe
Snape, but how will Snape convince them. What will occur to put one or
more characters in a position that would allow them to even consider
anything Snape might say?

I am convinced that, in the end, Snape will be the shortcut that Harry
needs to accomplish all the tasks at hand. What really intrigues me is
how that will come about. How will Snape make the transition from the
most hated and despised wizard in the wizard world, to being
sufficiently trusted to the point where his information will be
helpful. HOW?!?

Still, to your original point, using Hermione does make some sense,
but I see her as having to overcome her tremendous loyalty to Harry,
before she could even consider anything Snape might have to say.

Gee! Only two more years before we know. WHOO HOO!

Steve/bboyminn