Our Man Snape and Dumbledore

[Susan McGee]

No: HPFGUIDX 1163

NEVER INSULT ALBUS DUMBLEDORE IN FRONT OF ME

Whew..having said that....

Someone posted a very eloquent and scholarly post on one
of the Harry Potter lists about how fiction works..the author
must inviegle us into the fantasy world and help us suspend
our disbelief...but to do that has to be internally consistent.

Look at the characters who love and revere Dumbledore: James and Lily 
Potter, Remus Lupin, Rubeus Hagrid, Sirius Black, Arabella Figg (she 
couldn't be the same one as the Dursleys used to leave Harry with 
could she?), Minevera McGonagall, Arthur and Molly Weasley....etc.
This is significant. These are people who have known him throughout 
the last battles against Voldemort when no one was safe in their 
homes. (I just love the scene when the older Weasley brother 
immediately says "I'll go to Dad".....)

Therefore, Albus Dumbledore is good. He is the great opponent of Lord 
Voldemort, just as Gandalf is the Enemy of Sauron.

Suggesting he is not is akin to the folks who are saying "wouldn't it 
be COOL if Harry went over to the dark side". I echo those who 
suggest that this is a symptom of naivety at best....I take HP 
seriously as I took LOTR's seriously, which are both of the series 
great strengths. the Dark Side? Kill someone's parents? Torture the 
Longbottom's? Behave like Draco Malfoy? Never!

However.....I have been very upset with Professor Dumbledore when I 
think about how Snape treats his students. His vitriol and abuse 
towards Neville and Harry..his favoritism...are really not okay. 
Dumbledore should intervene.

However, perhaps he is too busy. He is not superhuman. He makes 
MISTAKES. this is the genius of Rowlings (and Tolkien). People are 
complex. Even the greatest and most wonderful of people have made bad 
choices, make mistakes and are not perfect. 

It is unclear if Severus Snape is a mistake or not...We'll find out

susan