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

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 36765

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "talondg" <trog at w...> wrote:
> --- 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"

Enemy? Experience where I come from. And I don't get that Iron 
sharpening Iron - we use sort of stone to sharpen our metal 
instruments. And if it's about fighting... "Grasp a sword, drown by a 
sword".
 
> 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!

But he's NOT doing well with it!
 
> 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.

That's his worst fault. Absolute obedience? Voldemort wants absolute 
obedience from his inferiors, and if Snape's doing same, it puts him 
in a bad light. And if Harry did that, how could he resist Imperius 
Curse?

> > 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!"

He got it all wrong. Snarling insults at students never helps them to 
learn. Besides, he's illogical on how a Gryffindor is supposed to be. 
He yells at them when they don't help Neville *and* when they do help 
him. Giving penalty to Hermione for giving correct answers? No - he's 
giving them penalties no matter WHAT they do in his class.

It's obvious, however, that Sprout has been able to get the forgetful 
Neville to learn - as did Lupin. They are far better in the art of 
teaching. And Neville can Transfigure at least, so I suppose he's 
learned something from McGonagall, too - but nothing from Snape.

> 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

Yes... I suppose he might think so. Slytherin's aren't in same class 
with Gryffindors in Transfiguration, unfortunately. Yet, I think the 
others don't show that kind of favoritism.

Not Hufflepuff who values fair play. Not the Gryffindor who'd find it 
un-chivalry...

> 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.

Possibly - and Slytherin's trust him rather than Dumbledore. Everyone 
needs someone to trust.