Snape's "Worst" Memory (Was:Snape's Insignificant Question During Occlumenc

[Sydney]

No: HPFGUIDX 76449


Donna wrote:
> The more I read these discussions, the more I'm convinced Snape left 
> the Pensieve out on purpose. I know this has been raised before, but 
> I know sometimes JKR has her characters do unwise things that keep 
> the plot moving or set things up for something to come. How many 
> things would not have happened if Harry had been more forthcoming to 
> Dumbledore?
> 
> For one thing, is this really Snapes worst memory? Wouldn't the Prank 
> count?  How about the catalyst(hello Bangers!) that caused Snape to 
> change sides?
> 
> I think Snape might have been beginning to feel more empathy for 
> Harry. He may have felt he needed a reason to regain his hatred of 
> Harry, either to maintain his cover when Voldemort is inspecting his 
> mind, or because he's a bitter man who needs to feel hate toward 
> Harry (or maybe a little of both?).
> 
> We don't know if this particular memory was even one Snape had 
> removed in previous sessions. He may have been hoping that Harry 
> would look into the pensieve and so chose the best memory that would 
> put James in the worst possible light. Knowing what Harry went 
> through, Snape would have a better idea of what would deflate Harry's 
> worship of his father.
> 
> Was Snape's anger genuine? Maybe. He'd been hoping Harry would look 
> but he could still feel angry that he did (also because he had to 
> relive the memory too, when he went in to pull Harry out).
> 
> I'm still not sure if he arranged this so he could stop the 
> occlumency lessons, and if he did what his motives were. This has 
> been discussed quite a bit, but I can't make up my mind yet. We may 
> have to wait for book 6 to know.


Me:  I think Snape would have LOVED to show Harry that James was a
pillock, EXCEPT if it involved Harry also seeing his scary Potions 
Master helpless, humiliated, out-gunned, and literally with his pants
down.  It just seems out of character for him to let anyone see him
being weak.

I think that's why this is Snape's 'worst' memory-- it's the worst one
for Harry to see.  No matter what dreadful things we could have seen
from his Death Eater days, Snape knows that they wouldn't change
Harry's opinion of him, really.  Snape doesn't care if people think
he's a bastard, so long as they think he's a scary bastard.  To
witness Snape being weak and an object of pity, that's a different
kettle of fish altogether.  In Snape's emotionally crippled world
view, that wouldn't arouse someone's compassion; it would just make
him vulnerable prey.

IMO, Snape would have assumed that Harry would have been on his
father's side in that scene-- that he would have thought it was
hilarious to see his dad getting one over on ol' Snape. 

Plus, his anger was absolutely genuine, IMO.  If he left the Pensive
out to hurt Harry, I think he would have wandered in and gloated, not
grabbed him and thrown him to the floor.  Why would he hide his
triumph?  It would be more Snapey, I think, for him to say, "So, you
fell for my little trap.  How predictable you are."

On the other hand, I can definitely see a case for Snape having
SUBCONSIOUSLY left the Pensive out, for the reasons you describe, and
also as a... cry for help?  See that big volume of Freud behind
Rowling in her author's picture?

Sydney