[the_old_crowd] It's That Man Again: issues of trust (was: Re: My HBP Review )

[Magda Grantwich]

--- dungrollin <spotthedungbeetle at ...> wrote:

> A hag goes into an apothecary's

Best spoiler space yet!


> Dungrollin:
> I agree, wholeheartedly. It would be rubbish. And DD still refused 
> to tell Harry why he trusted Snape (chapter 25, The Seer
> Overheard). I can think of only two reasons why. Either it was 
> something intensely personal to Snape that he didn't want anybody 
> else to know (and we are dragged, kicking and screaming towards 
> LOLLIPOPS), or it 
> was something so absolutely confirmatory of Snape's loyalty to DD 
> that to tell anyone would risk it getting back to the DEs. 

Or a third option: Harry, at this stage of his young, inexperienced
life, wouldn't understand the reason.  As you get older, you get more
tolerant of other people's weaknesses and foibles.  Harry is in
super-hero mode and when he thinks of fighting Voldemort thinks of
open defiance and straight-on attack.  For Harry to hear the real
reason, not understand it but to have it in his head available to
Voldemort would be the worst possible outcome.  

For Snape's mission to succeed, Harry has to hate Snape.  That to me
is clear.  We'll have to wait at least two years (groan) to find out
more details, although I suspect one result will be to solidify
Snape's position right beside Voldemort.  After all, Harry will not
be shy about proclaiming his hatred and I assume we'll have to deal
with a spy in the Order who will take it all back to Voldemort.


> Dungrollin:
> Snape's gone back to Voldy to fulfil one final task for DD, 
> something that can only be done from within the DE's circle. 

I think the big task would be to foment dissent in DE ranks by being
Voldemort's new favourite and being utterly obnoxious about it. 
(This might be the only fun part for Snape.)  He'll treat other DE's
like he treated Wormtail in Chapter 2, he'll complain to Voldemort
about their lack of loyalty and/or competence, he'll play other DE's
off against each other by harping on little jealousies and
insecurities, and in general he'll make sure that the DE ranks will
be less enthusiastic than ever about Voldemort achieving his final
goal of world domination.  By the time Harry confronts Voldemort the
DE's will be less cohesive than ever.

The exception is the Malfoy family, who now owe Snape big time.  I am
sure that a year in Azkaban has given Lucius time to wonder why he
ever thought bringing Voldemort back was a good idea and to remember
longingly the days of influence when he could lead the Minister of
Magic around by the nose.  


> ... HBP gave us no clue as to whether DD had told him 
> about the hors-d'oeuvres, though I suppose it's possible if Snape 
> saved DD after the hand incident, so it could be to do with them. 

Actually I think Snape does know all about the horsecrutches and that
throughout Book 7 Harry will find clues about their remaining
locations with surprising ease as Snape will be able to funnel info
from Voldemort to Harry indirectly, of course.

Also Dumbledore's actions during the locket episode strike me as
those of a man who's had detailed descriptions but hasn't actually
been there before.  I assumed he got those descriptions from Snape.


> Voldy's 
> really not so stupid as to kill off the only competent member of 
> staff he's got.

I think there are signs that Voldemort is increasingly giving in to a
petty desire to punish his DE's for past errors already.  He's
counting his dragons before they're hatched again.  It's going to
really crisp DE bacon if they're crucio'd for failing at tasks or not
trying to find Voldemort in Albania while
do-nothing-at-Hogwarts-and-get-a-salary-for-it Snape is the boss'
favourite.

 
> He's *not* ESE. It would be rubbish. Have a badge.
> D.E.L.U.S.I.O.N.A.L.
> (Death Eaters Laughably Unsuspicious, Snape Is Obviously Not A
> Louse)

If you have an extra one, I'll wear it with pride.

Magda (who hates having a demanding job where she can't just read HP
posts all day)

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