[HPforGrownups] OOP: 2 things I never thought I'd feel ...

[Liz Sager]

No: HPFGUIDX 65255


sjlupin wrote:
>There are 2 things I never thought would happen ..
>
>1) I never thought there would be a character that makes my blood
>boil more than Snape ... but BOY does Umbridge blow him away in that
>respect!

Oh yeah. I disliked Snape sometimes, sure, but Snape is a bunny rabbit 
compared to Umbridge.

>2) I also NEVER thought I would feel really sorry for Snape. That
>seen in the Pensieve, and the flashes of memories in his mind
>absolutely broke my heart.

I definitely sympathized better...

>Having said that Snape makes my blood boil and I didn't expect to
>feel heartachingly sorry for him, I do actually like his character
>and have great hope that he will contribute something big and
>something great to the cause in the end. I also hope he and Harry
>somehow end on friendly terms.
>
>My question is ... when is Snape going to grow up and stop punishing
>Harry for what his father did? Harry may look just like James, but he
>is NOT James. Snape should be mature enough to realize and see that.

This book established my New Found Respect for The Hogwarts Teachers, Snape 
being no exception, particularly like on page 536 (US Edition):

"I am not weak," said Harry in a low voice, fury now pumping through him so 
that he thought he might attack Snape in a moment.
"Then prove it! Master yourself!" spat Snape. "Control your anger, 
discipline your mind! We shall try again! Get ready now!..."

He's got the Welcome To Reality, Now Shine My Shoes thing down pat. :)

I also think that Harry grossly underestimates Professor Snape. He doesn't 
even remember that he's a member of the Order, and despairs that he did not 
understand:

"He's got Padfoot!" [Harry] shouted. "He's got Padfoot at the place where 
it's hidden!" (Pg 745 US edition)

I think both Harry and Snape need to grow up a bit and see each other as 
comrades and not enemies. I'm not asking them to take a weekend fishing trip 
and sing Kumbaya (not that I wouldn't mind the mental picture of Snape in 
hip waders), but they definitely need to get past these grudges before they 
can work together effectively. Perhaps that will happen in the next book.

Liz
Who finally got her account to not bounce!

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