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

[HunterGreen]

No: HPFGUIDX 76507


> Donna wrote:
> > The more I read these discussions, the more I'm convinced Snape 
left 
> > the Pensieve out on purpose. 
[snip]
> > 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.

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Sydney" <sydpad at y...> wrote:
 
> 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. 

I've always interpreted Snape's reaction in this scene as 
embarassment. If you look closely at the way he reacts when he pulls 
Harry out he seems like that was the last thing he wanted *Harry* (or 
anyone else really) to see (specifically him "bellowing" that Harry 
not tell anyone about what he saw). Embarassment appears to be the 
reason he stopped the lessons as well, judging by his reaction I 
doubt he wanted to face Harry after that. I agree that Snape assumed 
Harry was be on his father's side, from day one Snape has had a 
problem separating Harry from James (even with his knowledge of 
Harry's upbringing).


> 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."

Not only that, but he didn't really have time to orchestrate a trap 
(unless he planned something out with Draco), he leaves in sort of a 
rush, its not like he excused himself to go to the bathroom in the 
middle of the lesson. 


-HG