[HPforGrownups] Re: Why Hermoine trusts Snape

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 69809

On 12 Jul 2003 at 21:01, Random wrote:

> 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.)

No, I'm not dismissing evidence based on the fact I don't believe it. I 
actually concede that this is a possible explanation.

However, a lack of evidence is significant in situations when we should 
have evidence one way or the other. The fact that we have no evidence 
that Snape has a special insight into Hermione's character is telling - 
because if he did, by Book 4, I'd have expected to have seen some sign 
of it. There's been opportunities for this to become apparent.

> 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.

No, I don't think internal consistency is the only possible evidence.

As one example, I think if Snape had a decent insight into Hermione's 
character, we'd have seen evidence of this during the confrontation in 
the Shrieking Shack near the end of Prisoner of Azkaban. Snape shows 
absolutely no understanding of any of the trio's thinking or mindset 
during that incident.

And he's not an idiot. When Sirius is rescued, he rapidly works out who 
is most likely responsible. He is capable of making such analytical 
judegments very quickly.
 
> > 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

Yes, I agree - but I address this as well in the second part of my post, 
when I discuss his need to 'maintain a myth'. You've cut that out, 
presumably because you don't think it's relevant. I, however, do.

The fact is I agree maintaining his cover would be worth hurting 
Hermione. However, I don't think he's in that situation.

> 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."

No, I'm not rejecting it out of hand.

My point is that no teacher - even one with good insight - could be 
anywhere near certain a child would not be hurt in this situation. 
Presupposing that level of understanding is, IMHO, not reasonable. And 
this is something I have spent years dealing with. Could I be wrong? 
Certainly. But I'm posting my opinions here, and they're not based 
merely on theory. I work with kids who've been harmed.

Secondly, and I've addressed this specifically in a previous post, I 
believe Snape's cover is well and truly unassailable by this point to 
the extent that his treatment of Hermione adds nothing to it.

I dismiss nothing out of hand. But I could be wrong. These are just my 
opinions.

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