Snape and Dumbledore

[Melinda Leydon]

No: HPFGUIDX 68054

I¹ve been reading all the posts about Snape and trying to follow.  I¹ve
stayed out of this discussion so far as I¹m still on the fence with Snape.
Up until this book, although I didn¹t like him, I trusted Dumbledore.  I¹m
astounded, however, to see the posts defending his treatment of Harry.  I¹ve
always thought him extremely childish and unfair, but also suspected there
was more going on with him than meets the eye.

One scene is POA always stands out to me, (US edition, p. 127)
"Don¹t you know, Potter?" breathed Malfoy, his pale eyes narrowed.
"Know what?"
Malfoy let out a a low, sneering laugh.
"Maybe you¹d rather not risk your neck," he said.  "Want to leave it to the
dementors, do you? But if it was me, I¹d want revenge.  I¹d hunt him down
myself."
"What are you talking about?" said Harry angrily, but at that moment Snape
called, "You should have finished adding your ingredients by now; this
potion needs to stew before it can be drunk, so clear away while it simmers
and then we¹ll test Longbottom¹s. . ."

I always suspected Snape interrupted that exchange on purpose and directed
attention to Neville¹s toad.  Malfoy never brought it up again to Harry and
this scene always made me wonder about Snape and if he deliberately stopped
Malfoy from spilling the relationship between Sirius and James to Harry.

After OotP, my trust in Dumbledore is shaken badly.  I¹m really angry with
him

(OotP, US edition p.835 - 837)
"Five years ago you arrived at Hogwarts, Harry, safe and whole, as I had
planned and intended.  Well ­ not quite whole.  You had suffered.  I knew
you would when I fleft you on your aunt and uncle¹s doorstep.  I knew I was
condemning you to ten dark and difficult years."
". . .neither as happy nor as well nourished as I would have liked, perhaps,
yet alive and healthy.  You were not a pampered little prince. . ."

He¹s glossing over the fact that he knowingly set this baby up to be abused
and neglected.  Harry was 15 months old, old enough to know his parents,
sense their panic before they were killed, and be aware that they are
suddenly gone and he¹s with people who are physically there, but emotionally
distant.  This was better than him being a "pampered little prince"?  It
infuriates me!  When the Dursleys leave the house before the guard come to
pick Harry up, Vernon tells him not to touch their possessions or eat the
food in the fridge.  This is what Dumbledore sees as being a surrogate son?
He knew about the neglect and abuse and did nothing to stop it.  I
understand the blood protection Harry receives by being there, but I do not
accept that there was no way for Dumbledore to ensure a little protection
for Harry during the time he was there.

I¹ve lost faith in Dumbledore, therefore, I¹m leaning toward my gut telling
me Snape is no good.  Ron¹s endlessly said this, and his predictions aren¹t
always so off base either.

I¹m going to stop here, cuz I know I¹m rambling.  I¹ve read the book 3 times
now and still feel this tremendous sadness towards it.  I want a happy
ending for Harry and I no longer trust Dumbledore to have his best interests
at heart.  Even though my head knows he has the entire WW to watch out for,
my own heart is still screaming to watch out for Harry.

Melinda