Even though Snape knows his exoneration will last less than a year, he cannot help but show defiant pleasure at finally being acknowledged Dumbledore’s right-hand man. Moving him into this position is a clever move on the characters’ parts and also on the author’s. It telegraphs that Dumbledore and Snape expect something major to change for Snape by the end of the year, putting the reader in increasing suspense. It reimburses Snape for years of accepting an unflattering reputation that is the opposite of his true self. It removes the need for Snape to be covert about teaching Defense during
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