Snape's Attitude towards the Students

[dzeytoun]

No: HPFGUIDX 108423

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "huntergreen_3" 
> 
> Don't get me wrong, if Snape treated *every* student like he does 
> Harry I would agree that teaching and him should probably part 
> ways. 
> Snape, by nature of being the only potions teacher at the school, 
> is *forced* to teach Harry. He's human, he's fallible, in this case 
> he cannot keep his emotions (and feelings about the student's father 
> who was his *worst* enemy as a teenager and the student happening to 
> look *just* like said enemy) to himself. I think if he had a choice he 
> would tell Dumbledore to put Harry in a different class, and if 
> Dumbledore had a choice he would. Like in the case of the 
> Occulmency lessons, he is the one person who can teach Harry. It's a 
> bad situation. One that probably wouldn't be able to go on in a regular 
> school (or maybe it would, since Harry isn't a complainer, and a 
> regular headmaster or principal wouldn't be omnipotent like 
> Dumbledore is.


This raises a very interesting question as to how (i.e. in what 
official capacity) Snape and Harry will interact in the Sixth and 
Seventh books.  Dumbledore now has ample evidence of how much these 
two in fact *despise* each other.  Will Harry continue Occlumency 
with Snape?  That would seem odd as Dumbledore himself admits it was 
a severe mistake.  Will Harry take advanced potions?  Once again, one 
wonders how.  I really don't see Harry getting an "O" on his OWL 
(an "E" I could believe).  If Harry doesn't get a potions NEWT it 
would be difficult to continue toward a career as an auror, and I 
don't think Dumbledore would want Harry not to have that option, 
considering the *special circumstances* surrounding his education in 
potions - and considering that, after fifth year, he will probably be 
very anxious not to heap more disappointment on the boy. Besides, it 
may be knowledge he needs to fight Voldemort.  However, forcing Snape 
to change his policy or make an exception would send the potions 
master through the roof (although Dumbledore might not be all that 
tolerant of Snape's preferences given the disaster of Occlumency).  

So what?  If JKR gives Harry an "O" in potions that will seem, to me 
anyway, as kind of a cop out.  I suppose Harry could study 
independently for his NEWT (I could see Dumbledore approving that 
option if a suitable tutor could be found), but then will we be left 
with no Harry/Snape regular interaction in Book 6?  It's a 
possibility, as JKR might not be as fascinated by that dynamic as 
many fans are.  Or will Harry take Occlumency with Snape again?  Once 
again, that seems forced and even a little outrageous.  An 
interesting puzzle.

Dzeytoun