HRH vs Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle (Was Snape & Neville's Memory)

[talondg]

No: HPFGUIDX 36738

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., <porphyria at m...> wrote:

> Furthermore, I'm quite aware of the fact that my reading that 'Snape
> might have Neville's best interests in mind' is counter-intuitive, 
> nonsensical in real life, and perhaps quite mistaken. 

I don't think so. I think you're dead on.

Note that Snape can have Neville's best interests at heart, without
having to be a sentimental old softie down deep.

"Iron sharpens Iron" or "The best teacher is the Enemy"

Snape's role is a _professor_. He is a _teacher_. And if his distain
of Lockheart in CoS is any indication, he takes a good deal of pride
in his profession.

His job is to teach the skills he is responsible for to his students -
ALL his students. He is preparing them for life outside the protected
walls of Hogwarts. And I think he feels a strong sense of duty to do
so.

His students don't have to _like_ him, as long as they learn!

Thus his frustration with Harry. He expects Harry to do exactly as he
is told, pay complete attention to his lessons, and basically treat
Potions (while he is in class) as if it were the most important thing
in his life at that moment. He also expects Harry to respect
authority, obey it absolutely, and is upset when Dumbledore strays
from the letter of the law to address the intent instead.

> <<
> So we're to believe he mistreats the Gryffindors out of kindness?
One flaw in that plan, shouldn't he also mistreat the Slytherin's to
encourage the same growth?
> >>

"kindness" is the wrong word. Perhaps "duty" is better.

"I'm gonna teach these goddamn kids how to survive in the real world
even if I have to kill them in the process!"

OK, so why not mistreat the Slytherins then? Is he not doing them a
disservice by being nice to them?

1) Snape is head-of-house for Slytherin. I expect that he expects that
the other heads of houses are treating students the same way that he
is, and so the Slytherins are getting mistreated in other classes. So
in his class, he gives them a break

2) Snape is an ex-DE turned spy. Snape is undoubtedly very much aware
that Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle Srs are all DEs. It could be dangerous
to him if he mistreats their sons, and it could be very useful indeed
to cultivate a good relationship with the progeny of your enemies.

Certainly Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle Jrs consider Snape as an
anti-Potter ally, and would be reporting on this to their fathers.
It's not known if the Sr Malfoy etc. know if Snape is/was a DE, but
certainly they regard him as sympathetic to their side, if not wholly
"with them".

Being nice to the Slytherins is thus part of his cover, and a gambit
that may pay dividends in the greater war.

DG