Let's hear it for good old Snapey!

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 87850

Anne-
Ihe whole situation of Sirius's death started because, as is habit, 
Harry ignored the instructions given to him by Dumbledore and forged 
on with his own ideas anyway--in this case, the idea that what 
he 'saw' was real, that Snape did NOT want to do anything about it, 
and therefore, he and the other kids of the club were the only ones 
who could save Sirius. The point here is that you cannot teach 
someone who does not want to learn no matter thier reasons for not 
wanting to learn), just as you cannot change a person's opinion if 
they are dead set in thier beliefs and will see no other way. The 
outrage is that blame is thrown for what happened...and yet none of 
the ones who did exactly what they were told NOT to do takes
responsibility. 

vmonte-
I agree that Harry ignores intructions and often relies on instinct 
intstead of logic in times of trouble. Harry is neither logical, 
clever, nor a strategist. He gets out of tight spots because he has 
natural talent, thinks quickly on his feet, has loyal friends who 
have extra ability in what he lacks. Hermione and Ron complete "the 
dream team." 
But Harry really needs to wake up and start thinking critically on 
his own. He should never have taken what he saw (regarding Sirius' 
safety) at face value. He was repeatedly warned that Voldemort would 
take advantage of him now that he had open access to Harry's 
thoughts. If we, the readers are to take Snape's, Dumbledore's, 
Lupin's, Sirius', warnings in mind--we too should not take what we 
see at face value. Things may not be what they appear! 

1. I wonder why Snape removed his thoughts in front of Harry? 
2. If the pensieve belonged to Dumbledore where some of his memories  
also in the pensieve?
3. Have other people at the school placed their memories in this 
pensieve?
4. How do we know that these memories are Snapes? Is it just because 
Harry repeated several times that they were. (Remember Harry always 
takes things at face value.)
5. Can pensieve memories be altered in order to deceive?
6. Is there something else in the memory, besides the obvious, that 
Snape would fear that Harry might have seen? 
7. If Snape borrowed the pensieve from Dumbledore did Dumbledore warn 
Snape that Harry might take a peek, or was Snape (or Dumbledore) 
counting on Harry peeking?
8. Would there be a reason that Snape would want to end occulmency 
lessons.  

Just some thoughts.