[HPforGrownups] Re: Who Will Teach Harry Occlumency

[Wendy St John]

No: HPFGUIDX 73507

>  I  wrote:

> I realise that I seem to be putting the blame onto Harry here, but 
> that's only because, IMO, *in OoP*, Harry's actions created most of
the problems. Of course, Snape's actions throughout the series have 
> alienated Harry and helped create a situation where the two don't trust 
> one another, 

To which Cindy replied: 

"I don't see how Snape created a situation where the two couldn't trust
each other.I think rather, that Harry 'created' that situation in his
head and wanted to believe in it so much that it became reality for
him... Everything that Snape has done concerning Harry so far, has
been to keep him safe. And he has saved his life more then once, Harry
owes him a huge 'life debt'."

Now me (Wendy) again:

Hah! I NEVER in a million years would have thought I'd be defending myself
against a Snape apologist. I *AM* a Snape apologist! But, regardless of how
much I love the guy, I've never tried to pretend that he doesn't have his
faults. <g>

I believe Snape has absolutely contributed to the situation. In fact, Snape
was the one back in PS/SS who "threw the first punch" with his "tut, tut -
fame clearly isn't everything" speech in Harry's first potions class (SS,
US hardcover, page 137). Snape is making an assumption about Harry based on
Snape's feelings about James. Snape thinks Harry is sure to be an arrogant
prat, just like James was towards Snape. Turns out Harry isn't much like
his father in this respect at all, but Snape doesn't give Harry a chance to
demonstrate this. Snape attacks him right from the start. How could this
*not* contribute to Harry's future hatred of Snape? Later, Harry does and
says things which contribute to Snape's dislike of Harry. And Snape
continues to treat Harry with apparent contempt. They are both snarking
away at one another on a regular basis. I also still think it's entirely
possible that some of Snape's bad treatment of Harry is an act, to show the
Slytherin kids that Snape is still a Death Eater at heart. But even if this
*is* true, the net result is still the same for Harry - he's been treated
in way he feels is dreadfully unfair, and he hates the guy who's treated
him this way. Understandable, really. Just as it's understandable that
Snape resents the kid who talks back to him, gets away with breaking the
rules, and gets treated as "special" even before he's done anything to earn
that treatment. It's easy to argue about who is at fault - Harry acts like
a brat, Snape is the adult in the situation and should therefore behave in
a more mature and professional way, etc., etc., etc. I don't really want to
argue any of those points in this thread, mostly because I feel they both
have *some* legitimate reasons for feeling the way they do about one
another (see above), but, at the same time, they are both *wrong* in their
overall assessments of one another. Harry is not a useless, arrogant brat,
and he has been heroic on several occasions. And Snape is not evil, and has
repeatedly gone to great lengths to protect Harry (and yes, Snape has saved
Harry's life at least once).  

But I just don't agree that "everything that Snape has done concerning
Harry so far has been to keep him safe." Snape has also done lots of things
which were downright nasty. I think that's one of the basic facts of his
character.  He's nasty, but he's still a *good guy*.  He's given Harry
plenty of reasons to dislike him. And vice versa. But I'm convinced now
that Harry and Snape are both going to have to get over themselves and find
a way to work together, or they won't have a chance against Voldemort. If
they'd learned that particular lesson just a bit earlier, Sirius might
still be alive.

Cheers!
Wendy 


Wendy St John
hebrideanblack at earthlink.net