[HPforGrownups] Re: Why Hermoine trusts Snape

[Random]

No: HPFGUIDX 69794


On Saturday, Jul 12, 2003, at 18:59 America/Indianapolis, Shaun Hately 
wrote:

> 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.

careful, there... you're falling into a trap -- you're dismissing 
evidence for something based solely on the fact that you don't believe 
that something. Isn't that just what the ministry keeps doing regarding 
voldemort's return vis-a-vis potter's claims (assume he's insane 
because he thinks voldemort's back, whereas if we were to not assume 
he's insane his testimony would be perfectly acceptable evidence of the 
return. we can't have _that_ because we KNOW voldemort's gone forever.)

the only possible "evidence" is internal consistency... if we allow 
ourselves to think he MIGHT have some insight, the _fact_ that he does 
that, appearing to in fact credit her with more strength of character, 
is _itself_ an indication. The fact that you think he would do that 
without thinking she could take it is only valid if you assume ahead of 
time that he doesn't think that, which is the only way the incident can 
be evidence for that.

> 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.

When the opposite side of the risk is blowing his cover, which he might 
(reasonably, even if you wouldn't agree) consider being much _worse_ 
than hurting someone emotionally

> 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.

unless, and you're again rejecting this out of hand, he believes it 
_won't_ hurt her. And, remember, it was in front of a class made half 
of slytherins, it's perfectly reasonable to take that risk to avoid 
blowing his cover. Imagine: Draco owls home to Lucius, "Oh, and today i 
was a bit surprised when Snape seemed to actually care about that 
mudblood Granger."

--Random832