Snape?... A question...

[joanne0012]

No: HPFGUIDX 32637

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Allen, Rebecca" <Rebecca.Allen at t...> wrote:
 
> By the same token, I think Snape is doing Harry more of a favor than Harry 
realizes just by being so infuriating. It's the same will power and self control that 
Harry (slowly!) develops in his effort to keep his temper with Snape that also 
helps him overcome Voldemort at the end of GoF. Snape's sadism is very trivial 
compared to Voldemort's, and Snape probably knows this given that he no doubt 
remembers V. at his worst from back in the day. Now I'm not sure if Snape's 
treatment of Harry stems from something like affection; it's probably more of a 
lucky coincidence that Harry needs practice in dealing with viciousness and Snape 
is all too happy to oblige.

Oh, I agree completely that Snape's treatment of Harry is good for him, but I'm 
not so sure that it's a coincidence or accident, I DO think it's affection.  Snape's 
personality is such that the only way he can express his support for Harry is by 
being the only person at Hogwarts who is tough on him.  In some ways, Snape's 
treatment of Harry is a continuation of the sheltering that Dumbledore sought 
at the Dursleys -- too much adulation would spoil the kid.  But now tht Harry's at 
Hogwarts, Dumbledore lets him get away with all sorts of infractions, which is 
not a good thing.  Harry tends to be headstrong and impetuous, even more than 
most kids his age, and the precision required in Potions class is just the discipline 
he needs.  The less he gets away with in that class, the better off he'll be in the 
long run.  And Snape is the only one teaching Harry that the world is arbitrary 
sometimes.