Spys in the Order - Then and Now

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 158832

I want to make a comment that has been on my mind for a 
long long time now, though in the end I fear that it is
so minor as to hardly qualify as a comment at all.

It seems clear that during Voldemort's first reign of
terror, that it was clear to everyone in the Order that 
Voldie knew things he shouldn't know, and certainly those
in the Order who were in the 'know' were taking Snape's 
role into consideration when making that evaluation. So,
the logical conclusion was that there was a Spy in the 
Order. But who...?

We hear references in the books and on-line to Sirius 
thinking Lupin was the spy, and Lupin thinking Sirius was
the spy, but I think those thoughts are false or at least
misinterpreted.

Knowing there is a spy in your midst, you suspect and
evaluate everyone around you. You weigh the pro's and 
con's, the pluses and minuses, of everyone around you to
determine the /likelihood/ that they /might/ be a spy. 
But evaluating the /likelihood/ is quite different than 
actually thinking they might be or are the spy.

Many people are convinced that Sirius thought Lupin WAS
a spy. Or that any given so-and-so thought that any given
such-and-such was a spy. But I want people to consider 
the distinction between considering the possbility and
actually thinking that some is is or might be the spy.

Partly because people are coming up with wild theories
based on vague implications that this person suspected
that person, when in reality, I don't think it was belief
or suspicion at all, but merely a consideration of the 
possibility.

Sirius considered the possibility that Lupin might have 
been a spy, because Lupin is an outcast, denied rights,
denied work, and as other werewolves are for Voldemort,
one might consider the possibility that Lupin had been
swayed to that side. But I also think he discarded or
at least attempted to discredit the possibility by 
reminding himself that Lupin had alway been a trusted 
and loyal friend to James, Lily, and Sirius, and a firm
supporter of Dumbledore. 

As I said, I think the references in the books are 
pointing us to a dark and desperate time when all looked
hopeless, and everyone started suspecting everyone of
supporting or aiding Voldemort through choice or by 
force. It is natural during such a dark time to see demons
under every rock and around every corner.

But, and this is the critical part, I think there is a 
big gap between evaluating the possibility or even having
vague suspicions, and actually considering someone to 
truly be a spy. I think all the members of the Order 
looked around the room and considered the worth of each 
person, but I don't think that adds up to them thinking 
each other as BEING a spy.

Like I said, that was a lot of talking to not really say
much in the end, but I think this is something that needs
to be put in perspective. 

Just passing it along.

Steve/bboyminn