Snape as DADA substitute (Was: Poor KnowItAll)

[Linda]

No: HPFGUIDX 57023

> Linda (me)wrote:
> 
>  
> That really wasn't Lupin's doing. The shape of the boggart
> > was what Neville feared most, which happenes to be Snape. Lupin 
had 
> > no control over the choice; for that matter neither did Neville. 
> > Lupin did suggest how to make Neville's boggart comical, but if 
he 
> > didn't Neville would have failed the lesson. Is he just supposed 
to 
> > skip boggarts because of what someone in the class might be 
afraid 
> > of? He didn't even know Neville well enough by that point to 
guess 
> at 
> > what his fear might have been. I don't think we can fault Lupin 
for 
> > this one.

Darrin replied:

> Welllll... I think we CAN fault Lupin a bit, because he drew 
Neville 
> out with a pretty good idea who his greatest fear would be. But I 
> also think Snape got what was coming to him.
> 
> Remember, he insulted Neville, in front of the class, in front of 
the 
> new teacher, saying, (paraphrasing) "Longbottom can't do anything 
> without Miss Granger whispering in his ear.

 Now me(Linda again):

     This take on the scene actually gives me even more respect for 
Lupin. I still don't think that what he did was aimed at Snape. It 
seems more likely to me that he is making an effort to bolster 
Neville's self confidence after he has been insulted in a very public 
way by another teacher. From what we know of Lupin's personality, the 
kind of snide behavior that Snape exhibits is just not his style. 

-Linda