Did the Order of the Phoenix Know That Snape Was a Double Agent?

If you've read the 7th and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the answer is that Snape was indeed a double agent working for Albus Dumbledore. Despite Dumbledore's belief in his own infallibility, he knew that Snape's loyalty to him was fragile and that Snape would switch sides again if given the opportunity.

Albus Dumbledore's Egotism and Overconfidence

Dumbledore, despite his wisdom and strategic mind, was ego-driven and believed he was infallible. To consider Snape as a double agent would mean acknowledging that he wasn't all-seeing and all-knowing. Even when Snape cast the wasting curse on himself, believing it to be as he had intended, Dumbledore still believed that Harry would follow the 'Greater Good' without question.

The Nature of Snape's Loyalty

Dumbledore understood that Snape worked solely for his own benefit, regardless of the side he was on. Snape's "loyalty" to Dumbledore was precarious, and the moment Snape found it was no longer advantageous to stay with the Order, he would revert. Dumbledore reasoned that if he reprimanded Snape in the slightest, the spy would most likely rejoin Voldemort. Rather than risk losing his asset, Dumbledore chose to overlook Snape's temper tantrums, knowing they would prevent him from aligning with the Dark Lord again.

Snape's Role as a Double Agent

Snape was indeed recruited as a double agent by Dumbledore. This is evident from the timeline provided. Snippet:

1979 December Early 1981 1981 September 1st: Snape began teaching. 1981 October 31st: The Potters were killed.

Psychologically, Snape had been trained to prioritize his own interests, which made him a valuable asset for Dumbledore. Snape's actions and attitude as a teacher ensured that many Slytherins graduated from Hogwarts, thereby minimizing their participation in the war. Ironically, Snape was even more helpful to Voldemort during his betrayal of the Order, as he provided valuable intel and continued to undermine Dumbledore's position.

Conclusion: The Order's Awareness

While the full details of Snape's duplicity were not known to all members of the Order, Dumbledore's decision not to inform everyone about Snape's true allegiance was strategic. His arrogance and overconfidence led him to believe that his actions with Snape were the best course of action. Despite the potential risks, Dumbledore trusted that he had made the right choice.

As the story progresses in the Harry Potter series, it becomes clear that Snape's actions were instrumental in affecting the outcome of the final battle. His status as a double agent for Dumbledore was a crucial factor in ensuring the Order's ultimate victory.