Occlumency Lessons (Snape's reaction to what he sees)

[mhbobbin]

No: HPFGUIDX 108630


The posts that I have read lately on the Occlumency lessons have 
been focusing on Harry and what he sees of Snape's memories, 
particularly the one in the Penseive.

On re-reading the chapter, I've become intrigued by Snape's reaction 
to what he saw in Harry's memory. This has probably been discussed 
before but I haven't found it.

In the Chapter Occlumency, Snape sees certain images in Harry's 
head. He reacts most strongly to the ones that are related to the 
Dept of Mysteries and/or Voldemort, scolding Harry.  But the most
interesting one might just be at the bottom of P 535 (Scholastic)
Snape sees a dragon; Harry's parents in the Mirror;
Cedric dead in the graveyard.

Harry is very upset to see the image of Cedric. He notices that 
Snape is upset as well. ////"Snape looked paler than usual, and 
angrier, though not nearly as angry as Harry was."/// I assumed that 
Snape was upset by seeing Cedric, because that wAs what upset Harry. 
I originally thought that Snape was worried by the graveyard images--
that maybe Snape was there, or mentioned, or it brought up memories 
of DE days or something but now I wonder.

What if...it was the image of Lily Potter in the Mirror that upset 
Snape...not the image of Cedric as had upset Harry.  After this 
episode, Snape goes on a rant, "Fools who wear their hearts proudly
on their sleeves, who cannot control their emotions, who wallow in 
sad memories and allow themselves to be provoked this easily--weak 
people...stand no chance against his powers"   

Who is Snape talking about as a fool? Harry or himself? This rant is 
particularly interesting as it follows the strongest reaction by 
Snape to anything seen in Harry's head--other than the Dept of 
Mystery stuff. It's very odd as it does not seem proportional to 
anything that Harry has done, or failed to do. ,,But then that also 
speaks to Snape's general attitude around Harry and his teaching 
methods.

Many posters feel that Snape was fond of Lily but I haven't been 
sold on that yet. Hmmm. I'm not saying there is but I'm keeping these
ideas open. And I do think the Awful Boy that Petunia mentions is 
Snape. Not James.

mhbobbin