Snape and Harry (WAS: Re: 2 nagging questions)

[melclaros <melclaros@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48906

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jcminjapan <jonmayes at h...>" 
<jonmayes at h...> wrote:

>        Personally I think that many people have Snape tagged wrong 
> about his feelings towards Harry. 

me:
And I agree with you. I just don't see it as "I hate this kid, just 
can't stand the sight of him!" sort of thing. First of all, Snape 
just doesn't have the TIME for that sort of thing. 

The first potions class in PS/SS is a perfect example of this. If he 
REALLY hated Harry that much, he'd simply ignore him or snipe and 
tease the way he does Neville. But what does he do? He presents him 
with FIRST a one on one oral exam (seen as an attack and 
understandably so) and then follows that up with a face-to-face 
explanation of some interesting facts about poisons, antidotes and a 
particular potion that mimics the effect of poison. 

Snape is PREPPING this kid from the 1st day of class.


> .  When Harry is pushed he is at his best.)  Snape is always 
>  putting Draco and Harry up against each other, possibly not to 
show 
>  up Harry, but to try and get Draco to be a bit humble and possible 
>  learn something from Harry. 

Me:
The Draco "favoritism"--I've never seen it. I see him as tolerating 
(sometimes only barely--think that smarmy you should be headmaster 
scene) Draco. I see him using Draco as a test for Harry since he 
knows how much Harry hates him and vice-versa. He knows Harry MUST 
learn to control his feelings and emotions when facing an adversary, 
who better to put him up against than Draco Malfoy? If he puts on a 
show that makes Harry THINK he's favoring Malfoy then so much the 
better. All's fair in love and war. Harry is going to be fighting in 
a war. He's got to be able to do it with a level head. Emotion is what
(in Snape's mind) killed Harry's parents. 



 >  I think that we will find out later that Snape probably cares for 
>  Harry more than almost everyone. 

Me:
"cares for"  now that may be a stretch. BUT if it was, as most of us 
assume, Severus who tipped DD off to V's plan to murder the Potters 
and it came to no good he MAY be thinking, "I couldn't save his idiot 
father, but I'll be damned if I lose the kid."


 As for next year, I do not see 
>  Snape letting up too much on Harry.  I personally think that he 
will 
>  push Harry further as to bring out more in him in these times of 
>  need.  But, I personally think that Snape will be a pivitol 
> character in helping Harry in his times of need.  


Me:
I see Harry eventually, grudgingly, asking Snape for help. Someone 
else mentioned that here. That he gets so fed up with incompetent 
instruction against the Dark Arts that he finally breaks down, 
SWALLOWS HIS PRIDE and goes and ASKS FOR HELP from the one person he 
knows can give it.

To follow this line of thought, I'm wondering if THIS is why Snape 
(if indeed he really does covet the position) is not DADA instructor. 
Dumbledore says "there is always help for those who ask for it" 
(paraphrasing from COS). He could be forcing the issue on both of 
them. 

Just some thoughts.
Melpomene