Dumbledore is Alive and Snape is GOOD (mostly!)
an essay by Carl C.
While the truth is still anybody's guess, I think Dumbledore is still alive, and Snape is still working for The Order of the Phoenix.
While I think Snape is still on the side of GOOD, we know he still harbors an eternal resentment for James (AND Harry) Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. But I think despite this, Snape forges an allegiance with Dumbledore, possibly Dumbledore only - not necessarily the entire Order, against Lord Voldemort.
Why? Because:
1) Snape is, as we all know, an EXCEPTIONAL potions master. I think it is NOT a coincidence that he specifically asked that Wormtail serve "the Elf-Made Wine" to Narcissa and Bellatrix before he spoke with them. He made the "Unbreakable Vow" with Narcissa saying he would look out for, and cover for Draco. Snape most likely had already done something to that Elf-Made Wine which negated the Unbreakable vow, and it was by Snape's own design.
2) When Dumbledore spoke to Draco, as Draco contemplated completing his task, Dumbledore said it would be easy to make it look like Draco had been killed and then the Order would hide Draco and his mother from Voldemort. It would be equally as easy for Dumbledore to make it appear as though his OWN life had been taken by Snape. In fact, I think it was already planned for. This was one of the reasons Dumbledore had specifically asked for Snape when he returned to Hogwarts.
3) I think another reason Dumbledore requested Snape specifically when he arrived back at Hogwarts with Harry, is because Snape is an accomplished Legilimans and therefore can read Dumbledore's mind. They were therefore able to communicate wordlessly between each other on the Tower.
4) Dumbledore had easily removed Harry's full body bind non-verbally just as it became necessary. It was not, as Harry thought, because Dumbledore had died.
5) With the appearance that Snape had killed Dumbledore, Snape could now be even further in Voldemort's confidence. Additionally, it frees up Dumbledore to search for the remaining Horcruxes.
6) Why else would Snape not kill Harry Potter when Harry was chasing him out of Hogwarts? I really don't think Harry was being spared on Voldemort's orders. I think it was because, despite his dislike for Harry, Snape knows (as did Dumbledore) that Voldemort must be stopped, and Harry is the one to do it. Also - Snape really IS sorry that he caused Lilly Potter's death. I think he may have secretly LOVED Lilly potter.
7) Snape hates being called a coward. The logical reason for this is because Snape truly IS putting his life on the line by being a double-agent for the Order of the Phoenix.
8) Snape rushed off to the tower when he heard something was going down. REMEMBER - Voldemort wants DRACO to do the task, or DIE trying as punisment to Lucious - all the while leaving Snape to remain at Hogwarts as a Death-eater spy. Snape's interference would obviously be a disappointment to Voldemort, so why should Snape rush to the tower at all?! BECAUSE - Dumbledore had planned for this, and was hoping this "killing" deception would allow Snape to still be in Voldemort's good standing because Snape would have the excuse that he "had to do it" due to Snbape's making the unbreakable vow with Narcissa, and Dumbledore's "death" would essentially prove that Snape was still a "beholden" Death-Eater.
More evidence from books PRIOR to HBP -
1) Snape took memories out of his head before teaching Occlumencey to Harry in OOP. These were things Snape wanted to hide from Harry should Harry enter into Snape's OWN memories. None of these memories were of Snape telling Lord Voldemort secrets about the Order Of The Phoenix. You would think that, if Snape were BAD, he'd HAVE to hide these memories FAR more than some silly school incidents.
2) Snape, in describing Occlumencey to Harry in OOP, described how VERY FEW CAN HIDE THEIR THOUGHTS AND LIES FROM THE DARK LORD. He seemed to be bragging that HE is one of those few who can do it. Obviously, he IS doing this on behalf of The Order.
3) Voldemort himself says during the first re-gathering of his Death Eaters in GOF, that of the six missing Death Eaters, 3 were killed in his duty, one has fled and will be killed (Igor Karkaroff - head of house for Durmstrang), another he fears has left him forever (Snape), and the third is the one who brought Harry Potter to him at the graveyard this evening (Crouch Jr). So Snape again appears to be GOOD. Voldemort seems to knows EVERYTHING that has gone on while he was in hiding, so if Snape was still truly a loyal Death Eater in any way, you would think Voldemort would have already known about it and would not have proclaimed Snape as leaving the Death Eaters.
4) At the end of GOF, when Fudge is not convinced Voldemort is back after repeated explanations from dumbledore and Harry, Snape - unrequested - throws his arm out and shows Fudge the Dark Mark to prove once and for all Voldemort is back. This was not the actions of someone working for Voldemort would take. Voldemort would prefer Fudge remain clueless as to his return, and if Snape was on Voldemort's team, he would not have done that.
J. K. Rowling has done a brilliant job of making it equally plausible for Snape to be working for either side - Good or Bad. Possibly even BOTH sides, with his only TRUE allegiance being to himself!
Never have I anticipated any book so much as I anticipate Book 7 right now!