Why is Snape allowed to continue spying? Double Trouble

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 131620

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "greatelderone"
<greatelderone at y...> wrote:
> 
> GEO: 
> But Voldemort had Crouch under the Imperius curse for more a few 
> months and would have had the time and leisure to interrogate the 
> former head of the department of magical law enforcement on what 
> happened after his fall and which Death Eaters snitched and which 
> remained loyal and given his position he would have certainly been
> an expert on the matter considering he presided during the 
> wizengamot trial in which Karkaroff snitched on Rookwood and would 
> have probably known about Snape being a spy so that the latter could
> have avoided Azkaban.
> 
> Geo

bboyminn:

I don't think there is much that Crouch could have told Voldemort that
he didn't already know, plus how did Voldemort know the things he did
know, the many things he reveal in the graveyard? Perhaps what
knowledge of circumstances Voldemort had, did indeed come from Crouch.

So, Voldemort knew may of the DE's claimed bewitchment, renounced
Voldemort and went back to their happy trouble free lives. Knowing
this, it's reasonable he suspected that many of the DE's made one
excuse or another to get themselves out of trouble. That Snape might
have done so too, would not be that much of a shock.

As far as Snape, sadly (for you), I must once again trot out my
Double-Double Agent theory. The best explanation I can come up with to
explain how Snape can still be at Hogwarts and yet still appear to be
working with Voldemort is that  he is a double-double agent spy. 

First, Voldemort sent Snape to Dumbledore to appear to betray
Voldemort, but with the real intent of acting as Voldemort's spy on
Dumbledore. 

Then Snape actually joined Dumbledore and now became a spy against
Voldemort. Since Voldemort sent Snape to Dumbledore, it is expected
that Snape, in order to maintian his cover, will appear to be loyal to
Dumbledore and acting against Voldemort. So any betrayals Voldemort
sees will be expected as part of the game.

Given his Double-Double Spy status, both side will accept Snape's
appearance of loyalty to the other, and will both accept Snape's
periodic betrayals.

As far as the graveyard scene, Snape is at Hogwarts, and is required
to appear loyal to Dumbledore. If nothing else he is under the very
close supervision of Dumbledore. Karkaroff on the other hand, while at
Hogwarts, is much more free to come and go. Therefore, there is
logical justification for Snape not appearing at the graveyard, but no
justification for Karkaroff not to appear. Plus, Fake!Moody is at
Hogwarts testing Karkaroff's loyalty and reporting back to Voldemort.

So, Karkaroff could appear at the graveyard if he wanted to, that
makes him 'too cowardly to return'. Snape on the other hand has an
excuse for not appearing, and that makes him 'the one I BELIEVE has
left me forever'; meaning truly joined Dumbledore.

Once the graveyard ordeal was over, Snape contacts Voldemort again,
pledges his loyalty and offers to continue spying against Dumbledore.
Even if Voldemort doesn't believe Snape, he certainly believes he can
use Snape to his advantage for as long as it serves him.

That's the only explanation that I've come across that resolve all or
most conflicts related to Snape returning to Voldemort. I've yet to
see a more complete explanation.

Of course, I can't say it's true, only that it explains a lot.

Steve/bboyminn