[HPforGrownups] Re: Why Hermoine trusts Snape

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 69787

On 12 Jul 2003 at 23:07, oh have faith wrote:

> 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

Two issues here - first of all, the idea that Snape credits Hermione 
with 'more strength of character' than posters here do.

I don't think that stands up at all.

Firstly, we have no indication whatsoever that Snape has any type of 
insight into Hermione's character. Is it possible? Anything is possible 
- but it'd be an assumption based on virtually no evidence, IMHO.

Secondly, even if Snape did have a reasonable insight into Hermione, 
somehow, we then have to assume, he considered that insight, and then 
deliberately decided to risk hurting her - at best, his insight could 
tell him that she was unlikely to be harmed - not that she certainly 
wouldn't be. He'd be taking a calculated risk with her state of mind - 
and I don't think that's something he should be gambling with, without a 
*very* good reason.

Thirdly, we, the readers, probably have more reason than Snape to have 
an insight into Hermione's character. I'd say most of us would 'know' 
Hermione better than Snape does, and most of us fully agree that 
Hermione is strong willed, with a very strong character. Some of us 
however, think that's irrelevant. Hermione's strength of character is 
not the issue. Snape's behaviour is the issue. The fact that she is 
strong enough not to let what he does hurt her, long term, doesn't make 
his reactions any less wrong.

A teacher punches a seventh grader in the face. A teacher punches a 
tenth grader in the face. All things being equal, the tenth grader can 
probably handle it better, and is less likely to suffer serious damage.

That doesn't change the fact of what the teacher did.

Second main issue - the idea that Snape needs to 'maintain a myth'. I 
grant that that has some plausibility, in general terms.

However, I do not see any reason to suppose it applies in this specific 
instance. I think by Goblet of Fire, it's already clear to all the 
Slytherins around that Snape doesn't like Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They 
already know it. They don't need to see it reinforced here. Certainly 
Snape couldn't have shown Hermione any sympathy for that reason - but I 
don't see the tiny amount of reinforcement of the fact that he dislikes 
her, justifies what he did, in any way.

Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia