Another Snape thread/ Snape as hero

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 152020


> 
> winkadup:
> Do you happen to know when Snape joined the Order as well? Was it 
> after James & Lily's death?

Potioncat:
That depends on what it means to be a member of the Order. DD says that 
Snape turned before LV's fall and at great personal risk, gave 
information to DD. (Before LV's fall would be before Lily and James 
died.) But while Snape was working for DD, that might not mean he was a 
member of the Order. We don't really know if anyone other than DD knew 
Snape was working for him. 

Snape is a fully recognised member of the Order in OoP because he 
reports to 12 GP to a large group. We might be able to say it is in GoF 
when DD sends Snape off on a mission in front of others that reveals 
him as an Order member. (I don't off hand remember who was present when 
DD sent him.)

Perhaps the very visible nature of his role in the Order was to alert 
LV that Snape was indeed useful at Hogwarts. If LV thought Snape was 
just another master at the school, he might have pulled him out for a 
different job. How about that, I just had a brand new idea! (OK, OK the 
rest of you had that figured out.)