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

[willayork.livejournal.com]

i dont have the book on me, but isn't there some line where snape looks at cissa or bella (probably 'cissa) and like stares at her? i've heard alot of arguements that he's legilimenting (? spelling ?) her. that's the opinion i take, and that explains his hestiation b/c he'd also know what she wants to ask of him, and he knows he has to do it a- to keep his cover and b-b/c he's a spy and c(probably)- to try and help/save draco

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I think it certainly could be, though I think it's adding a complicated interpretation to a situation that could be read more simply. Like the theory that Harry was being fed a love potion and that's why he liked Ginny. Nevertheless I'd weigh that one as one of the more probable! (The legilimency, not the love potion. ^_^)

[willayork.livejournal.com]

and since when is snape ever do anything the easy way? lol

love potion? seriously? i've never heard that, well not as a theory that applies to canon. that's silly, JKR's not that fucked up. well, yes she is but... anyway, that is the product of desparate fangirls who will do anything to try and convince themselves that draco and harry will end up together, happily ever after -in canon. which we know *sniff sniff* will never happen.