The thing about Umbridge's quill...

[terryljames76]

No: HPFGUIDX 69399


> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kirstini" <kirst_inn at y...> 
wrote:

>I'm sorry to disagree with you, Terry, but I think that Umbridge 
isn't playing any sort of game for good results withi Harry and his 
DADA class. 

Not a problem; I actually agree with listee C M (see later replies to 
original message) that DU is an Evil B*tchToad. But anything to have 
a discussion, and maybe get someone to consider something they hadn't 
originally...

>Kirstini, prepared to defend Terry against all sorts of Snapological 
attacks. Go off and flaunt your Pensieves and let her be, she's 
still in mourning!

(Terry clutches STUFFED BEAR and sniffs; SAD DENIAL is actually the 
one theory she really takes...oh, heck, am getting tired of this old 
pun, but honestly can't think of another word for "seriously".)

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Cindy" <xpectopatronum at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> I guess someone better stand up and protect Snape and all us
> Snapologists then! ;-)

I knew this'd get you, Cindy! :)

> Snape teaches through intimidation and discipline, and he uses
> classical means to achieve this: 1) voice projection and words.
> 2)detention 

He also uses embarrassment, ridicule, and very unfair grading 
methods.  Not mature, although definitely classic.  Had some like 
that myself.

> Anyway, we all know that Snape is very-into structure and rules and
> order. He never causes any chaos in Hogwarts, he actually tries to
> prevent things from getting chaotic and out of control as much as he
> can. 

Seen this way, Umbridge is like an ultra-Snape--she definitely wants 
things quiet, orderly, in control.  Order is generally preferable to 
chaos.  However, when chaos is reigning outside, keeping order inside 
is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  IOW, Snape's 
excessive adherence to rules, especially when it comes at the expense 
of the truth as in POA, is not necessarily a good thing.  

> Umbridge did nothing except cause physical pain, emotional turmoil,
> try to create a wimpy curriculum not worth learning, dismiss any
> teachers that didn't suck up to her, or that she didn't like. 

That's what she *did*, but it had good results.  Could that be 
exactly what she intended?
   
And the
> end result was complete chaos and rebelion in the school from
> teachers, students and ghosts! 

Not at all--the school (exception Slytherins--whom JKR has kept 
disappointingly one-dimensional) is united in their civil 
disobedience, which, by its very nature, is a bit disruptive--think 
of sit-ins, boycotts, and not sitting in the back of the bus 
anymore.  Isn't this what the Sorting Hat wanted, the different 
houses working together? And until we get Slytherins who have 
personality, we aren't going to see all four Houses working together, 
because our evil!Slytherins will never want the same thing as the 
rest of them.

And as much as Snape dispises Harry, he
> hasn't tried to Crucio him yet.

No, but he did threaten to poison him to see if his antidote worked, 
and to feed him Veritaserum to see if he was telling the truth (and 
why couldn't he just have Legili-whatsit'd him?) Snape also didn't 
follow up on Occlumency, which _very_ indirectly led to Sirius' 
presumed death.  Harry blaming Snape and deciding to hate him forever 
for that is unreasonable, of course, but Harry has just lost the only 
parental figure he's ever known, and his reaction is understandable.  

I predict that Snape is going to feel vaguely guilty over this, but 
given his personality the only effect will be that he will be even 
nastier to Harry.

> -Cindy (self-appointed Snape patronus)

Cool!  Wonder what he hears when the dementors come around?...

Terry LJ (who just realized that it was Dark!Terry who wrote that 
first post, and who wonders if the ends ever justify the means)