[HPforGrownups] Re: Remus, Severus, mind-games? (Was: Snape: The fact that he exists)

[Kelly Grosskreutz]

No: HPFGUIDX 71632

Mim wrote:
> What really bothered me is that Snape is uncharacteristically less
> Snape-like in that scene. Let me explain this. Snape recognises the
> nicknames and the insults. Instead of calling in on Lupin having
> been among those who created the magical object he gives Lupin an
> oportunity to give him a simple answer without letting Harry know.
> As in: "Did you give this to Harry?" "Did you give him this whatever
> it is which probably helped him go to Hogsmeade and risk his life
> that we've been bending over backwards to protect?" Snape lies as
> well, speaking of dark magic as being the reason he called Lupin and
> referring to the creators of the map just as the manufacturers.
>
> Perhaps I'm grasping at straws to see some sort of maturity in Snape
> since he is my absolute favourite character but for once, in that
> scene, he was in the right. And Remus simply didn't appreciate that
> and lost a chance to make some progress with Snape.

I don't see it necessary as a sign of maturity in Snape, but rather his not
wanting Harry to know he went to school with Lupin.  Think about it.  Say
this scene had happened differently and Harry found out that Snape and Lupin
went to school together, and that  Lupin and James were good friends.
Doesn't sound overly bad, does it?  But then we come to a time when Harry
and Lupin are hanging out in Lupin's office together, something Snape knows
they do.  Harry's sitting there quizzing Lupin about the old days and then
says, "So, you went to school with Professor Snape, eh?  So, what was it
like?  What was he like?"

We know from the Snape's Worst Memory chapter in OotP that Snape's
schooldays with James et al were not fun for Snape.  We also saw his
reaction to Harry looking at that memory.  Can you imagine Snape being
thrilled to think that Lupin might decide to start telling Harry about all
the times James and Sirius bullied Snape?  Snape is his teacher.  As a
teacher, the last thing you want your students to be thinking is, "Why
should I listen to this person?  I can't stand him, and my dad beat him up
constantly.  Therefore, I conclude he's not worthy of respect."  Don't know
if Snape would have looked at it quite this logically, but it is a very good
reason why he wouldn't want Harry to know this.  That and just his feelings
on the subject in general.

Kelly Grosskreutz
http://www.idcnet.com/~ivanova