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Snape Clues

by David Haber

These are the clues contained in the pages of Harry Pottter and the Half-Blood Prince which support the possibility that Snape is not really a Death Eater, has remained loyal to Dumbledore, and all through the book, Snape is working on Dumbledore's Orders.

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Reader Comments: (Page 8)

I like this theory very much. I have always believed Snape to be good. Especially after seeing the movies (probably because I've always liked Alan Rickman).

One thing I notice that several people have said is that Snape felt regret after Lily and James were ed and this led him to turn from Voldemort. That's incorrect. In book 4, when Harry goes into the Pensieve for the first time, he sees a Wizenmont trial. Snape's name is brought up by Karkaroff as a eater, and Dumbledore vouches for him saying "Severus Snape was indeed a Eater. However, he rejoined our side before Lord Voldemort's downfall and tuned spy for us, at great personal risk." So according to Dumbledore, Snape changed sides before Voldemort's downfall, which of course, happened when he tried to Harry, right after ing Lily and James Potter.

Posted by Kim Davis from Princeton, West Virginia on November 20, 2006 4:30 PM

I like the point raised by Kim from WV above since it fits with an idea I had. I agree that it is likely Snape had a thing for Lily and that it is probably very complicated. It may be *she* who convinced him to turn away from LV. It may also be that, in an attempt to convince *her* of his good intentions, it was *Snape's* idea to take some sort of UV and DD was the binder of the vow.

On another note, it occurred to me that the look of hatred on Snape's face was almost certainly regarding Harry, not DD. It doesn't matter whether DD is or not (though I hope he is not), but it does assume Snape is not a real Eater. Either way, Snape is either a) ing someone he respects or b) putting himself in real danger from tOotP. No one is going to believe that DD asked him to do this. His life as he knows it is over, and why? Because of Harry. If he's in on a plan with DD< he knows Harry is around there somewhere and he knows this is largely for his benefit (i.e., so he can be a credible witness to Snape's "betrayal"). Therefore, the reason he is now doing this thing he doesn't want to do is because of Harry. I don't know - might be flimsy, but it is more plausible than resenting DD. That is, unless Snape really is evil...

Posted by Karen from California on November 20, 2006 9:08 PM

I think snape is a eater:-
1) He tells to bella that "before I answer oh, yes i am going to answer! You can carry my words back to the others who whisper behind my back, and carry false tales of my treachery to the dark lord!" (Pg 31)
(b) "The dark lord is satisfied with the informaton I have passed him for the order. It lead, as perhaps you have guessed, to the recent capture and of Emmilince Vance..." (Pg 35) This two are sufficient to prove snape as a eater.

But I still hope AlBUS DUMBLEDORE IS NOT DEAD

Posted by KARTIK from NEW DELHI on November 22, 2006 01:14 AM

Ok, Snape and Harry becomming good friends and remaining close for the rest of thier lives.....NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

but I still don't think Snape is working for Morty... he may not be working for the Order either.... I think he is, in the great Slytherin tradition, trying to stay valuable and nessisary to both sides until victory is assured one way or the other... I think he really wants to be a good guy, he just thinks they're all pathetic.. but now, he has to run with Morty's boys and girls since any one in the order who gets the chance most likely him on sight..

I think he show up #12 again.. I can't wait to read his explination..

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on November 22, 2006 08:03 AM

Good theory, KEVIN but that's not possible for snape to be working for both sides because in that case, he be of no use to anyone

Posted by KARTIK from NEW DELHI on November 22, 2006 10:15 AM

Kartik... what exactly do you think Snape has been doing all these years? Playing with his potions? It is stated by Dumbledore himself that Snape is/has been spying for the "ORDER OF THE PHOENIX". Simultaneously he spied for Lord Voldemort as you so nicely pointed out..

We all know that Snape was able to satisfy both sides for some years. In case that Snape was a traitor to both camps, he has done a really excellent job, to fool either Dumbledore or Voldemort! Whatever his motives are, he is no fool. Even he would have noticed that the DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS job is jinxed.

Accepting the fact at the moment that Severus Snape is on the good site, it is quite plain that he is going to have a hard time from now on. Naturally he is now the MOST hunted wizard (apart from LV) in the wizard-world. If it was Dumbledore�s plan, that Harry should witness his "MURDER" by Snape, what more proof would Voldemort and the Eater need that Snape is on the DARK SIDE? Those people read the Daily Prophet too!

Maybe that�s the reason why Snape was arguing with Dumbledore. Then from now on there is no turning back and he is on his own. Many of us have watched films like 24 and the same thing happened to Jack Bauer! If you want to pull a thing like this, you have to do it properly or else it is not believable.

Posted by Mistral from Switzerland on November 22, 2006 11:35 AM

I think that Dumbledore planned his as a sacrifice, and here's why. Firstly, he tells Malfoy that he knew what Malfoy had been planning to do, all year, and yet Dumbledore didn't try to stop him because he didn't want to endanger Malfoy with Voldemort. Therefore, he was ing to sacrifice himself for Malfoy's sake. Now how much more would he do for Harry and the Order of the Phoenix. This and more I would think.

J.K. Rowling foreshadows this sacrifice in The Order of the Phoenix. When Cho Chang's friend tells Umbridge about Dumbledore's Army, Harry is caught and taken to Dumbledore's office. Umbridge found the list of the members names, that Hermione had made, with the heading Dumbledore's Army. Dumbledore takes credit for this before Harry has a chance to incriminate himself and he (Dumbledore) is forced to flee Hogwarts because Fudge wants to arrest him.

Later in the book, when Harry is contemplating using Umbridge's fire to communicate with Sirius, Hermione tells him that Dumbledore sacrificed himself for Harry and Harry shouldn't waste this sacrifice by getting in trouble.

I recently started reading the books from the beginning, and it's amazing to see how many hints and clues there are to future events. I think this sacrifice on the part of Dumbledore is a hint of his future sacrifice.

Posted by Kim Davis from Princeton, West Virginia on November 22, 2006 5:58 PM

I read in 1 of clues that snape used legilimens to find the mission of draco when bella and her sister come to his house.If that is true, then snape lied to them THRICE NOT TWICE because:-
When Narcissa asks snape that'He could have done this job instead of Draco,and would have suceeded easily,' To this snape answers her:-
"He intends me to do it in the end,I think.But he is dtermined that Draco should try first.You see,in the unlikely event that Draco suceedes,I be able to remain at Hogwarts a little longar and fulfill my useful role as a spy."
THAT means this was also a lie

THE SECOND POSSIBILITY COULD BE he did know of the plan.In that case I have a theory:-
I think it was on snape's advice that voldi choose DRACO AS A DETH EATER because:-
AFTER reading SIX volumes of HP,v have come to know that DUMBLEDORE GIVES CHANCES to everyone as he didnot suspect draco for the fear of draco being ed by voldi and also in GOF hagrid says "DUMBLEDORE accept anyone at hogwarts as far the person has talent"
THUS I think snape told voldi that DUMBLEDORE not directly blame or suspect DRACO as to the fear of ing of draco

Posted by KARTIK from NEW DELHI on November 23, 2006 12:17 AM

Cool topic, makes some great reading. Heres my theory:

Sorry, but Dumbledore is . I'm going to believe JK on this one and avoid digging in the dirt to find a loophole.

I think in book 7 Snape make a sacrifice for Harry (proving his love for Lilly and therefore Harry) which ties into the "Snape is good" theory as well as Dumbledore's continual references to love being the most powerful, ancient type of magic....

Snape , but not before he has proven to be essentially 'good'. Harry defeat Voldemort because of Snape's 'love'.

Anyway, thats my thought. Going 2 bed!

Posted by TOm from Auckland, New Zealand on November 23, 2006 03:29 AM

I agree with you Tom. I think Snape be shown to be a good guy, but only at his , which he use to further Harry's quest.

One reason why Snape hates Harry so much is because of his resemblence to his father, but the books mention over and over that Harry has his mother's eyes. You may be right that Snape sacrifices himself for Harry's mother's sake.

I also believe Rowlings when she says Dumbledore is , although she's mentioned that he still has a part to play in the final book, so perhaps Harry get help from Dumbledore's portrait, or some other way.

Posted by Kim Davis from Princeton, West Virginia on November 23, 2006 07:39 AM

I think that mirror Sirius gave harry still comes into play.
I don't know how....mabey after Sirius left #12 Snape picked it up and now he has it.....

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on November 23, 2006 3:21 PM

Not sure if this was mentioned, but I remembered something from OotP that made me smile the first time I read it, now when I read it, it fills me with wonder. It's from the chapter OWL's when Dumbledore has done his 'disappearing act' and Professor Marchbanks is inquiring as to his whereabouts.
'No idea where he is, I suppose?'
'None at all.' said Umbridge, shooting a malevolent look at Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were now dawdling around the foot of the stairs as Ron pretended to do up his shoelace. 'But I daresay the Ministry of Magic track him down soon enough.'
'I doubt it,' shouted tiny Professor Marchbanks, 'not if Dumbledore doesn't want to be found! I should know... examined him personally in Transfiguration and Charms when he did NEWTs... did things with a wand I'd never seen before.'

Now I'm not sure I want to go around believing Dumbledore is alive, simply because I would hate to be let down if he was really . =( I'm confused on the whole subject, but Dave and everyone make great points. I thought this part of OotP was like a small clue as to Dumbledores true powers, which We saw some of at the end of OotP. Maybe concealing is another?

I believe now 100% that the '' of Dumbledore was completely planned in advance with Snape. There are many good clues but one I find more believing is of course Fawkes. He helped Harry in CoS, saved Dumbledore at the end of OotP, and also came to Dumbledores aid earlier in OotP the chapter 'The Centaur and the Sneak'.
Twice Harry felt the presence of Fawkes as 'danger' was looming. As soon as Fudge, Dawlish and Umbridge tried to jinx Dumbledore Fawkes appeared and aided Dumbledore. Once the fight was over 'Fawkes the phoenix soared in wide circled above them singing softly'. So still aiding Dumbledore. Then..
'Fawkes circled the office and swooped low over him. Dumbledore released Harry, raised his hand and grasped the phoenix's long golden tail. There was a flash of fire and the pair of them were gone.' So here is Fawkes allowing Dumbledore to escape.

We know Fawkes is loyal, he was to Harry and imagine how much more loyal Fawkes would be to Dumbledore. From CoS;
Chapter The Polyjuice Potion
'He's really very handsome most of the time: wonderful red and gold plumage. Fascinating creatures, phoenixes. They can carry immensely heavy loads, their tears have healing powers and they make highly faithful pets.'
Note the word 'faithful' was in italics.
And now from chapter Dobby's Reward
'First of all, Harry, I want to thank you,' said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling again. 'You must have shown me real loyalty down to the Chamber. Nothing but that could have called Fawkes to you.'
And in Dumbledores final moments Fawkes was no where? Only to resurface after the event to sing a sad lament. No way.

So yes I agree 100% with Dave's point on Fawkes. Snape is not evil. Dumbledore may not be . We all cannot wait for book 7.

Posted by Leanne from England on November 24, 2006 1:27 PM

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