Snape and DD in GoF

[cubfanbudwoman]

lupinlore wrote:
> Of course we DID have that interesting insert of DD, Snape, and McG
> talking about Harry's name coming out of the GoF.  I did wonder 
> about what Kloves/Newell were trying to do there.  Were they trying 
> to make DD's actions/attitudes clearer?  I have to say the people I 
> saw the movie with didn't care for the scene much, as they thought 
> it made DD look uncaring and manipulative, as well as thinking it 
> was unnecessary given the "magically binding contract".  On the 
> other hand was the whole purpose of the scene to underscore that 
> Snape was the one who brought up the idea of allowing Harry to 
> continue in the tournament?
> 
> <Shrug.>  I don't really know.  


SSSusan:
I've seen the film three times, and the scene really *is* a puzzle in 
some ways.  While I loved how McGonagall came across in that scene, 
because her concern for Harry was palpable, the rest is hard to 
grasp, imo.  

I think we're supposed to see a DD who's *not* totally in control and 
knows it, a DD who's confused and flustered beyond his comfort zone.  
But Snape is (how appropriate ;-)) an enigma.  When he suggests that, 
in light of these recent activities, they let events, for the time 
being at least, simply unfold, what IS behind that?  A hatred of 
Potter?  A desire to help Voldy?  A chance to discover who, within 
Hogwarts, is introducing the danger?  We don't know.  

But what also struck me was the feeling I got, somehow, that Snape & 
DD had *discussed* things before this little conversation.  Not 
necessarily the GoF and what happened with it, but certainly the 
ugliness at the QWC, the Dark Mark in the sky, and what it all might 
mean.  Somehow, when Snape suggested letting things unfold, I just 
had a feeling that DD knew what he meant (whatever that was!).

As for how this scene portrayed DD, I do think that in going along 
with Snape's suggestion, especially in light of McGonagall's *firm* 
suggestion that doing so meant using Harry as bait, DD knew he was 
manipulating more than a little bit.  I think we get his 
*acknowledgment* of that in the dormitory-with-Harry scene near the 
end.  DD there states, "I put you in *terrible* danger this year, 
Harry."  Not exactly an apology, but definitely an admission.  He did 
not say, "This magical binding contract put you in terrible danger;" 
he said, "*I* put you in terrible danger."

Anyway, I think this scene -- DD's response to McGonagall & Snape -- 
is at least part of why I was a little upset that I didn't get the 
sense from Gambon!DD that he truly loved & cared about Harry (esp. in 
contrast to MM) *at this point.*  Now, later in the movie, especially 
in the dormitory scene, I felt that Gambon!DD matched *my* (may not 
be others') sense of a DD who cares about & loves Harry very much.

My two knuts.
Siriusly Snapey Susan