OOP Snape's Veritaserum

[shellebrownies]

No: HPFGUIDX 68047

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "bubbaqrib" <yankee_bubba at h...>
wrote:
> While everyone is contemplating Snape's motive and alliances.  I 
> keep coming back to an issue that bugs me. Dumbledore stated that 
> Snape had given Umbridge water instead of veritaserum.  How do we 
> know his is true since Harry never drank it?  It would have been a 
> good way for Snape to betray the Order and let Harry take the fall.
 
> I personally am not sure Snape gave him water.
> Any other thoughts on it.

Like most of the others, I agree that Snape definitely gave Umbridge
water instead of real Veritaserum. While I'm sure Snape would love to
stick one to Harry, this was not the instance in which to do it. Harry
knows too many secrets to be allowed to speak freely. And while some
of them Snape wouldn't mind hearing, Harry also knows facts about
Snape himself that he wouldn't want getting out (Snape having been a
Death Eater, Snape's working for the Order of the Phoenix, Snape's
"Remedial Potions" actually being an excuse to teach Harry
Occulmency). It was too important for Snape to remain under "deep
cover" for him to help Umbridge. Snape has sources within the world of
Slytherin that the Order would not have otherwise. Better for people
like Lucius Malfoy to think Snape is sympathetic to them.

I believe Dumbledore when he says that Snape is on their side.
However, that doesn't stop Snape from being flawed, nor does it stop
his emotions with regard to Harry, Sirius Black, or Remus Lupin. So,
just because he despises Sirius Black or is mean to Harry on a regular
basis, that doesn't mean he's 'evil'. I just think that is a personal
reaction to those specific people based on his prior experiences in
life. 

I have yet to read the "Sins of the Father" thread, but I suspect that
theory is at least partially correct when it comes to Snape's reaction
to Harry. Since apparently Harry looks almost exactly like James, and
was famous when he arrived at school, Snape could easily have seen
James in Harry and refuses to see Harry in any other light, even when
Harry has proven himself to be different from his father.

"Shelle"