Snape's half truths in "Spinner's End"

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 149335

> >>Carol:
> Without examining every explanation that Snape gives to Bella in
> "Spinner's End," I want to point out two that strike me as probable
> half-truths or partial truths. One is Snape's assertion that he
> thought that LV was dead...
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
This was a big old lie.  Though, interestingly enough, Snape doesn't 
say "dead", he says "finished".  It gives him a bit of wiggle room 
because he's not out and out calling Voldemort's claims of being 
immortal a lie.  

But yes, Dumbledore was worried about and preparing for Voldemort's 
return, pre-PS/SS.  Hagrid knew this.  The idea that Snape did not 
just doesn't fly, IMO.

> >>Carol:
> The other is Snape's assertion that he tried to thwart            
> the "unworthy" Quirrell without realizing that LV was inside      
> Quirrell's head.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I have a different take on this.  I don't think Snape or Dumbledore 
realized that Voldemort had taken up residence in Quirrell's head.  
I believe they both knew that Quirrell (young, possibly only 
recently graduated Quirrell) was being run by another Death Eater, 
but I cannot believe that they knew Voldemort was doing the running. 
I just cannot reconcile Dumbledore letting even an injured Voldemort 
loose amongst his students.  I can't.

I suspect that Voldemort, knowing Dumbledore is a skilled 
Legilimens, knowing that Dumbledore knew *someone* was after the 
Stone, put an blanket over both his and Quirrell's thoughts.  
Weren't no one getting into Quirrell's head.  No one.  And that 
includes Snape.

I think realizing that Harry had gotten himself locked in a room 
with the Stone *and* Voldemort was probably one of the more horrible 
shocks of Dumbledore's life which is why he rather giddily pulled 
that clumsy move with the House Cup.

I *do* agree that making Voldemort believe that Snape believed he 
was finished was tied with Snape's interference with Quirrell.  He 
wasn't thwarting another Death Eater trying to help Voldemort.  He 
was thwarting another Death Eater making a move on Snape's turf.  
(Where your loyalties lie, etc.  Young Mr. Quirrell should have 
expressed loyalty to the Death Eater on hand: Professor Snape.)

> >>Carol:
> Again, I'm sure that Snape prepared the story that he told LV     
> after he failed to show up in the graveyard very carefully, and   
> these two statements strike me as particularly likely to be lies   
> or half truths that he originally used to protect himself
> from death at LV's hands and repeated to Bellatrix to persuade her 
> of his loyalty to LV, essentially placing himself in the same     
> category as Lucius Malfoy and concealing his role as Dumbledore's 
> agent or spy.

Betsy Hp:
I agree. Snape *must* have been very well prepared to face 
Voldemort.  Paranoid, not easily forgiving Voldemort.  Bellatrix was 
just fun, IMO.  His whole attitude of "keep up you bloody stupid 
woman!" was so funny.  Especially his dry "Oh yes, your years in 
Azkaban, very nice gesture." bit.  Heh.  He's so smooth. ::snuggles 
Snape::

Betsy Hp