Straightforward readings? (was Re: Truth vs. what meets Harry's eye )

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 140769

Nora:
> Dumbledore has been set up to make particular kinds of 
mistakes, which  Alla discussed pretty well downthread.  He has 
suspicions about Tom Riddle but he doesn't share them with anyone 
else, ensuring that Tom is  fully and completely able to work his 
charm on other people. 

Pippin:
He didn't have much choice, really. Do you think anyone in the WW 
would have cared about some Muggle kid's rabbit? The Weasley twins 
used Ron's puffskein for bludger practice! There's not much sympathy
for the helpless in the WW, is there. 

What OFH! Snape doesn't explain is why Snape should bother -- 
he doesn't seem to be a thrill-seeker like James or Sirius, so why 
should he  undertake such a risky course, in which he can ultimately 
rely neither on Dumbledore's protection nor Voldemort's? 

It's not as though spying is all he knows how to do. He's obviously
not after popularity, nor wealth, nor influence. If he's into the Dark
Arts so thoroughly, why park himself at Hogwarts, where there's no
opportunity to practice them? Wouldn't Durmstrang have suited him 
better? Karkaroff's an old friend; surely he would have been welcome? 

Pippin