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

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 122250


Alla wrote:
<snip>
> 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. <snip>
> 
Carol responds:
As I indicated in another post, I agree with you that Snape is
probably "the one I [Voldemort] believe has left me forever" rather
than the coward, which fits Karkaroff rather than Snape. 

But Snape's status as a former DE is *not* well known in the WW and
his name was not published along with those of Malfoy, Nott, etc. It
seems that his status as a spy and Dumbledore's testimony that "he is
now no more a Death Eather than I am" somehow protected him from
exposure. At any rate, Rita Skeeter was *not* present at Karkaroff's
hearing, which was apparently closed to the press and the public (only
members of the Wizengamot were present, IIRC). Karkaroff's testimony
had to be secret to protect his status as informant. You're thinking
of Ludo Bagman's hearing, which was apparently widely publicized
because of his status as a favorite WW athlete. Snape would not be
safe from Rita if she knew his background; a former DE teaching at
Hogwarts would make a much bigger story than Hermione supposedly
breaking Harry's heart. Note that Rita is eavesdropping at the Yule
Ball (OoP Am. ed. 427) and picks up on Hagrid's conversation with
Madame Maxime but not on the implications of Snape's conversation with
Karkaroff. And when the Daily Prophet criticizes Dumbledore's hiring
practices (a half-giant, a werewolf, and a deluded ex-auror are
mentioned), Snape is not on the list. As I've said before, if Snape's
DE past had been publicized, three quarters of the parents would
bombard Dumbledore with letters demanding his resignation.

Carol