A Different Look at Snape

[brewpub44]

No: HPFGUIDX 35748

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "elfundeb" <elfundeb at a...> wrote:
> So he inflicts some of 
> his own and Harry learns to take it.  Much of Snape's behavior 
toward 
> Harry, beginning with the "new celebrity" line in PS/SS right on 
> through his dramatic reading of the Witch Weekly article in GoF, 
> appears to be calculated to remind Harry that he is not in control 
> and he is not immune from danger.  I think Snape truly believes 
that 
> if he doesn't suppress any invincibility tendencies Harry may have, 
> then LV will have been handed a great weapon.  And Snape, who is a 
> traitor in LV's eyes, cannot afford to have the good guys lose 
> because he would not survive an LV victory.  So he has every 
> incentive to do everything he can to enhance Harry's chances of 
> success.

Hmmm, I like it. I was painting Snape as being a really good guy just 
misunderstood, but you're idea adds a touch of realism to it. Snape 
is also motivated by self-preservation, not just trying to be tough 
so his kids learn. Let's face it, don't most of us have selfish 
motives, even if it's just a teensy tiny bit? So yeah, this works for 
me.

> 
> The flip side to this is that while Snape SEEMS to favor the 
> Slytherins, he is not equipping them with the real world survival 
> skills that the Gryffindors are getting.  

Let's add this to the above angle: if Snape was tough on the 
Slytherins, the kids may complain to their parents, some of whom are 
known DEs. If Snape is trying to avoid exposing his betrayal, and 
keep up good appearances to these people, then he has to favor the 
Slytherins.

The only thing that I don't like about your last paragraph (and this 
is solely my opinion), is this: I feel Snape is trying to be a father-
figure to Draco, someone Draco can turn to when his own father fails 
him in some way. I predict Lucius will fail the boy in a horrible 
way, and Draco will have to depend on Snape. But that's not entirely 
supported by what's been written so far, so we'll have to see on that 
one.

A Barkeep in Diagon Alley