Snape/Regulus, post 135111

[hermionegallo]

No: HPFGUIDX 135743

response to:

> colebiancardi
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/135111

hg:
I've read it and have been thinking about it for awhile.  I think you 
must really be onto something considering the timelines.  Regulus's 
death (or lack thereof!) does coincide with Snape turning double 
agent. 

Additionally, you point out (along with other posters):
1) Snape owes a life debt to James.  (via poster Tonks)
2) The reason Dumbledore trusts Snape is none of Harry's business.  
(via poster Roberta)
3) It's possible that Regulus faked his own death, and the Quibbler 
article about Stubby Boardman could have been an attempt to reveal 
himself to Sirius.  (via poster Caro)

We know Snape is accomplished at Occlumency, so he'd be able to 
prevent Voldemort from discovering certain compartmentalized memories 
or feelings.  This makes it possible.

What's difficult about making this theory work, however, is that it 
would necessitate a) Snape knowing about the Horcruxes (if Regulus, 
poisoned, came to him), which it really seems he doesn't, or b) Snape 
valuing Regulus' life over his own (if his stomach was turned by the 
idea of killing Regulus, whether or not it was done, whether he or 
another DE did it), which is unlikely, whether he is ESE or not, 
knowing Snape.  And I don't have any canon to prove it or disprove it.

If I seem to be shooting down your theory, forgive me.  I liked it so 
much I was compelled to respond, even though you approach a theory in 
a reverse process from mine: your theory starts with motive and looks 
for the signs, and I nitpick at signs and try to discern what they 
might mean.  

I would start with some hard evidence, such as the fact that Sirius 
couldn't have been alone in the cave, otherwise the real Horcrux 
would still be there.  Who could he have been with?  And as 
tantalizing as it is to think that Regulus is "underground," I think 
the Dumbledore/Kreacher scene makes it clear that he's dead.

Okay, here's a what-if: what if it was Snape who was with him, they 
left together, Snape turned him in, thereby securing a position close 
to Voldemort, and simultaneously Snape told Dumbledore about the 
Horcrux, thereby securing a position close to Dumbledore?  If that 
were the case, what clues would lead us to that conclusion?  I could 
imagine Snape suspecting or even knowing about one Horcrux.  None of 
this is anything I can back up with textual evidence, so it makes me 
uncomfortable.

Your turn!
hg.