[HPforGrownups] Snape: was Neville: was re: Authority and rule-breaking

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 16632




I wrote:
> > Is it just me?  Can anyone point to *anything* we actually see
> > Snape do (as opposed to conjecture, albeit quite fairly, that he
> > may have done), that puts him in a positive light?
Magda wrote:
>In CoS: when Gilderoy Lockhart walks into the staff room after
>McGonagall has informed the staff about Ginny's abduction, Snape is
>the first to react by offering GL the "opportunity" to go after the
>monster.  "Just the man we need!  The very man!"  All the staff fall
>into line immediately.  A nice scene.

Yes, and the duelling club was hugely enjoyable too. On these occasions, he 
is squaring up to someone more like an equal.  But I'm only going to count 
it if he does something good or kind (other than his plain duty).

>In GoF: Fudge and Dumbledore are arguing about the return of Lord V.
>and Fudge is suggesting angrily that Harry's word is not to be
>trusted because he might be, you know, getting sort of weird or
>something.  It's the opportunity Snape has been waiting for all
>through the books: someone in a superiour position who can expell
>Harry Potter from Hogwarts.  Oh joy, oh bliss.  Dumbledore is not
>winning the argument; Fudge is the minister.  All Snape has to do is
>keep his mouth shut and no more Harry Potter.
>
>And what does he do?  He steps forward, rips up his sleeve and
>displays the proof of his former alliance with the DE's, shows that
>Dumbledore and Harry are right and blows his best chance yet to get
>rid of the kid he despises.  It's a great moment.
>
>Other than that, you're right; positive light doesn't shine on Snape.

OK, you got me.  He didn't have to do that.  In a *minor* quibble, Fudge is 
never suggesting expelling Harry (nor, I imagine, would he have the power to 
do it directly), and the discussion has moved on from whether Harry can be 
trusted, to the wider question of Voldemort's return...BUT it is still 
revealing something he must be ashamed of in order to back up Harry - and in 
front of Harry too.  Not easy for him.  It will be very interesting to see 
how he treats Harry in the future.  My guess is he'll still be pretty harsh, 
but will stop pretending Harry enjoys his celebrity.
Thanks.  That's why this list is so good.
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