Snape's Reaction to Harry assuming that he is a DE spy

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 108573

SSSusan:
> > He doesn't have to know his precise whereabouts nor the name of 
> > the people he's living with nor any other specifics of Harry's 
> > situation to get a SENSE of what Harry's life is like.  
 
Casey:
> Not really. Would Dumbledore actually want anyone to know that he 
> placed the hero of the wizarding world in an abusive home?

SSSusan:
Sure, why not?  DD had a REASON for placing Harry there.  In your 
next section, below, you talk about Snape bringing Celebrity Harry 
down a notch.  This was part of what DD was doing when he left Harry 
with the Dursleys, wasn't it?  DD knew it wouldn't be an easy life, 
but he felt strongly that it was better for Harry to grow up away 
from the WW and all the attention he would've received there.  He had 
nothing to hide from his staff, esp. from someone he trusts as much 
as Snape and who will end up being an Order member alongside DD.
 

SSSusan:
> > I'm afraid I'm not buying this, either.  I mean, why just find 
> > out if *HARRY* "bothered" to learn anything as a child?  Why not 
> > find out if SEVERAL of the children did so, by spreading around 
> > the questions?  Instead, he asked three questions--ALL of Harry.  
 
Casey:
> For all we know asking those questions may be part of Snapes first 
> class every year, much like the "foolish wand waving" speach. I 
> imagine he started with Harry because he was their "new celebrity". 
> If Harry had answered something correctly Snape might have moved 
> on, but Harry didn't. Thus he could knock Harry down from his 
> celebrity status to that of a mortal. Then Harry back talked and 
> confirmed Snapes worst assumptions. 

SSSusan:
For all we know, yes.  But I seriously doubt it.  


Casey: 
> As for why Snape didn't ask about Harry's background, well, if he 
> doesn't ask about the other children why should he ask about Harry?

SSSusan:
Precisely because he *is* Harry!  Like it or not, Harry *is* a 
special case.  He also will be a TARGET of certain students.  

This is not canon, of course, but I can quite easily imagine DD 
having a little staff meeting shortly before Harry's arrival at 
Hogwarts.  He might let the staff know that Harry was coming, what 
Hagrid had found out about Harry's past 10 years and maybe even give 
a little advice about how to treat/not to treat Harry.  

Whether DD did this or he didn't, Snape didn't have to ASSUME all the 
crap he did about Harry--that he relished being in the limelight, 
that he was just like James, that he had ample opportunity to learn 
all his materials before school started.  Please.  Snape was just 
being mean.  

And yes, Harry, in the end, "gave him cheek."  How many of us would 
have joined him in that action after being provoked?  Let's see.  
You've know you're a wizard for one month.  It's your first day at 
school.  A teacher gives you what appears to be a nasty glare during 
opening meal.  In your first class, same teacher asks you three 
questions you've no reason to know, while another student sits there 
with her hand up and there's a classroom full of other students who 
might be asked.  Teacher is snarky to you.  Doesn't make it right to 
be cheeky, but it makes it understandable.  AND it gives the student 
reason to wonder why this guy can't stand him.

Seems, from what we see in the book, no other teacher felt compelled 
to treat Harry in this manner.  

Siriusly Snapey Susan