Was Snape spying in OOP? Re: In Defense of Snape (VERY long)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 122086


Alla:
Keep in mind that it is NOT a given that he is a spy, it is NOT a 
given that Voldemort does not know that Snape betrayed him, 
therefore I am not sure whether this motive even comes into play.

Betsy:
And I think it *is* a given that Snape does go back to Voldemort.  
In GoF, Voldemort lists three missing Death Eaters.  We know that 
one is Crouch, Jr., one is Karkaroff, and one is Snape.  Voldemort 
calls one his "most faithful servant [...] He is at Hogwarts, that 
faithful servant, and it was through his efforts that our young 
friend arrived here tonight..."  Obviously - this is Crouch, Jr.  
The other missing Death Eater "has left me forever... he will be 
killed, of course."  That must be Karkaroff.  If it was Snape, he'd 
be keeping Sirius company at Grimmauld Place or be locked up within 
Hogwarts.  And Lucius Malfoy would not speak highly of Snape to 
Umbridge (OotP pg. 745).  Which means Snape is the Death Eater, "too 
cowardly to return... he will pay." (GoF Scholastic, paperback, pgs. 
651-2)
  
What else was Dumbledore sending Snape off to do at the end of GoF?  
Snape paled and even Dumbledore was apprehensive (ibid pg. 713).  
Again, it seems fairly obvious to me that Snape is about to return 
to Voldemort and take whatever payment Voldemort will dish out to 
him.

Alla:

First and foremost I am NOT conspiracy theorist. :o) But even when 
I read something at face value it is quite obvious to me that JKR 
does plant clues in the books.

I respectfully refer you to post 118133 by Carolynwhite, which 
mentions many previous threads about who Voldie thing meant by three 
missing deatheaters and it is not a given at all that Snape is the 
one who is too cowardly too return. It is a possibility, but it is 
also a possibility that Snape is the one who left forever and will 
be killed.

Consider for a second PS/SS events. Voldie was THERE even though in 
Quirrel's body. Wouldn't he notice that Snape is not exactly 
faithful to him? Granted, it is not a sure thing, but it is a 
possibility, IMO.

Consider Dumbledore's testimony and "he is now no more DE than I 
am". Could it be that from many people present at the hearing some 
sympathized DE and tipped them of and don't forget that dear Rita 
Skeeter was present there. I am pretty sure that she published 
Dumbledore's testimony.


What Snape could have been sent to do at the end of GoF? Many 
interesting things.

Pippin will probably tell you that he was sent as envoy to 
vampires. :o)

Neri had very interesting theory about Snape sharing mindlink with 
Voldie and opening it up again.

Oh, the possibilities. :o)

Let's look at OOP. Personally, I think that Snape IS spying, but not 
going back directly to Voldie. For example he maybe getting info 
from Lucius by using his Legilimency skills.

I think that when Sirius calls him "Malfoy's lapdog" his comment 
refers not only to the past, but probably to the present. I think 
Sirius is aware of Snape's activities.

I also think that when Order gathers to hear the report from the 
spy, that was not Snape. I don't know, just a feeling. Remember they 
never call Snape's name. They just say that he already came.


Oh, and of course there is quite a speculation that Snape may be an 
animagus and spying in his animagus form.

I think Voldemort knows that Snape deflected. I think that is why 
Dumbledore tolerates Snape being in Hogwarts, because otherwise 
Snape will be killed.

I speculate that Dumbledore protects Snape by giving a shelter and a 
job in Hogwarts, too bad students have too suffer because of that. :)


Alla previously:
NO, we DON'T KNOW for sure that he is spy.
 
Betsy:
We know Snape is a spy as much as we know that Lupin is not ESE.  In 
otherwords to say Snape isn't a spy you have to disprove a lot of 
what the books say.  And as I stated in the begining, I'm going with 
a straightforward reading.


Alla:

I disagree. I think that books have many hints that Snape did not 
return to Voldie. I don't think that this subversive reading at all. 
I think the probability of it is the same as Snape returning to 
Voldie.


Just my opinion,

Alla