Why Hermoine trusts Snape

[oh have faith]

No: HPFGUIDX 69782

TM Sommers says:
> More likely she simply knows that Dumbledore trusts Snape, and 
> she is smart enough to know that he must have a good reason to do 
> so, even if she doesn't know what it is.

I say:  Essentially, just I agree!

Hermione is perhaps also objective enough to know her place in the 
world, which as fifteen year old girl and student is not a very high 
one.   While Ron and Harry seem firmly convinced that they deserve 
to be at the centre of the world, Hermione's mature enough to
accept that some things just aren't her business and move on
– and
also humble enough to accept that Dumbledore knows more about what's 
going on than they do, and so they shouldn't presume to know better. 
She tries to remind Ron of this when she says "Dumbledore trusts 
him, that
ought 
to be enough" (The Beetle at Bay – p490 in my edition) and
also
elsewhere when she retorts that Dumbledore probably has plenty of 
reasons to trust Snape, but he just doesn't want to share them
with 
Ron.  (Can't for the life of me find this quote – it's a
long
book!)

This suggests to me also that it's Dumbledore she really trusts,
and so only Snape by extension.  She probably appreciates his 
reasons for changing sides are likely to be deeply personal and not 
something he'd want spread about the school. It's a mark of
the strength of her character that she can give Snape far more 
regard and respect than he gave her – and it's typical of
her, and
also typical of the philosophy behind the whole of OOP.  I can 
almost imagine that she might even make excuses to herself for Snape 
as she does for Kreacher – she proved she's a good reader of
people
when she translated Cho's behaviour for Harry, and I think her
first 
instinct might even be compassion for Snape. He is obviously 
suffering, and she is a compassionate person.  

Note this does not justify his behaviour, but it does explain 
Hermione's apparent lack of concern over the incident.  I think 
Snape does have his cover to maintain in front of his Slytherins as 
he was there, and he often has a theatrical air about him – I
also think he rather enjoys playing to the crowd.  It was a funny 
line, and you know how it feels when you have a quip you *know* is 
cruel, but it's just too good to waste.  Even if you regret it the
moment it comes out - It's unpleasant and thoughtless, but it's not 
unforgivable evil. And I know it's no excuse, but I think it was 
motivated by mischief more than malice. 

And maybe I'm attributing too much good-motive to my favourite 
Potions Master, but is it just possible he credits her with more 
strength of character than many of the posters here, and so thought 
she could probably take it?   Snape is very much a pragmatist, it 
strikes me, and a minor bruise to a student's ego may seem a 
necessary price for maintaining the myth in front of his Slytherins 
that he has genuine contempt for the muggle-born

Just my two cents worth - this has been a most interesting debate to 
follow!  

xx
Faith's Girl