META: Did Snape know Draco's task?

[amanuensis1]

Little bit of meta here, my take on one question posed by the Spinner's End chapter of HBP: did Snape indeed know what Draco's task was when he claimed to Bellatrix and Narcissa he did? Here's what Snape says:

"It so happens that I know of the plan," he said in a low voice. "I am one of the few the Dark Lord has told."

Some readers have speculated that he might not have, that he was bluffing. If that's so, that means he didn't know exactly what he was signing up for when he agreed to make the Unbreakable Vow. Why would Snape have taken such a risk? Possibly because he didn't know Draco's task and figured he darn well needed to know what Voldemort was plotting, so, by telling Narcissa "It's all right, you can speak freely with me," he'd have the chance to find out something crucial.

I don't see anything in that chapter that directly contradicts that idea; Snape's hesitation before he says the last words of the vow could also be said to support it. Perhaps he hesitates because he has no idea what he's promising, but knows he can't back out at that point without having his bluff called. However, one can also explain the hesitation if Snape does know that Draco's been directed to kill Dumbledore, because Snape would realize that by doing so, he's signed his own death warrant, since he's thinking there's no way he'll carry it through.

I'm more inclined to think that Snape does actually know, even though we have no hard-and-fast evidence. What we do have, though, is what can be seen as a clean example of an author's contrivance to keep the knowledge from the reader, by shrouding the element in "we must not speak of it, the Dark Lord has commanded," and "I already know of the plan." Keeps the reader in the dark. And that's all the explanation you'd need, as to why he says that. I think that's the most compelling element to sway me in that direction. But I do think that the chapter, and all the rest of the text, can support either hypothesis.

Comments

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

Oh, I definitely think that reported conversation is Snape squirming, as you say, but to me it sounds maybe like the first time he's actually said "no" to Dumbledore (and is then is immediately made to shut up *g*)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

See, I think if that's the first time he's learned of what it is, the protests would be WAY bigger, not something that Hagrid would overhear and dismiss as something so mild. Though I don't mean to argue that that's hard-and-fast, as I say; it could be as you say!

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

Heh. You realize, of course, that when the end of July arrives, it's going to turn out that Snape was evil and was just playing Dumbledore all along. :)

*is struck by lightning*

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

It's da end of da woild. *throws up hands*

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

No! Say it ain't so! *flees the apocalypse*

[schemingreader.livejournal.com]

So you know, it could be true that Snape was rebelling against his duty to kill Dumbledore AND that he is evil. Because he could be manipulating Dumbledore into telling him to kill him! That would be so awesome. It would also make Snape a huge opportunist. So yeah!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

My head, she reels! *claps head*

[schemingreader.livejournal.com]

I don't really think that, because it would be too peculiar. Nevertheless, it does occur to me and it would make things very interesting!

[willayork.livejournal.com]

NO!!! nononononono. even if (*sigh* when) she writes it- I refuse to believe