Snape, a Deatheater.

[kibakianakaya]

No: HPFGUIDX 163843

> Nikkalmati
> It is not in character IMHO for Snape to take foolish risks.  He
is  putting
> his life on the line and I think there has to be a corresponding
payoff.  He
> doesn't risk himself unnecessarily.  He knows he has a  valuable
part to play
> to bring down LV and he is not going to waste  himself.    It is
in Snape's
> character to risk himself to find  out vital information about
what Draco plans
> to do and to position himself to  stop it.
>
> Nikkalmati
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Lilygale here:
I think that Snape knows (or at least has made a pretty good guess)
about Draco's task at Spinner's End.  He also probably knows (or
guesses from Narcissa's speech and affect) that LV means Draco to
fail.  But neither Bella nor Narcissa know to what extent Snape is
privy to Voldemort's intentions.  Bella seems to be on the outs with
LV after the Ministry fiasco.  So Snape could lie to her, saying
untruthfully "he (LV) means me to do it in the end" as a way for
Snape to protect himself and Draco. This lie sets up a future
expectation that may work in Snape's favor.

Regardless of  whether Snape knows Draco is planning on murdering
Dumbledore, or simply thinks that Draco will be engaged in an
unknown but obviously difficult and dangerous task, Snape knows that
by stepping in himself and taking control of the situaion, it is
likely to be to his (and Draco's) benefit.  Some control over the
end game is preferable to little-to-no control.  The alternative,
where Snape passively lets Draco play out a scenario without active
involvement by Snape, sets up a situation less favorable to outcomes
favorable to Snape and, if you assume DDM!Snape which I do, to
Dumbledore.

So for Snape to tell Bella in advance that 'he expects me to do it
in the end', he is setting up the expectation that he will do the
deed for Draco, and also setting up the expectaton among Death
Eaters that Snape's actions are with LV's tacit blessing.
Regardless of whether or not this is the truth, it would make it
easier for Snape to maneouver in a crisis in future.