[HPforGrownups] Parenting Harry (was: Re: I don't like him much)

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 120101

--- eloise_herisson <eloiseherisson at aol.com> wrote:
 
> However, the argument I was making was that Snape is the only one
> who *consistentely* disciplines Harry and ties to curb his rule
> breaking tendencies and that even Lupin, who cares deeply for Harry

> and does attempt to exercise some control over him, ultimately 
> fails in this role. How does Lupin's giving the Map back to Harry 
> out of nostalgia contradict that? 
> 
> ~Eloise


I agree with Eloise - great post, by the way.  

Lupin is one of those characters who's gone down in my estimation as
the series has progressed.  Not as far down as Molly, who I dislike
quite strongly, but enough to make me think that Lupin's lack of
involvement in Harry's life is probably a good thing for Harry.

I don't think Snape gets nearly enough credit for his "demented
mother hen" act for Harry.  Yes he's snide and insulting when
reminding Harry of Harry's youth and lack of experience and all the
rest, and yes, he's a big old meany-head.  But he's right about an
awful lot of stuff and if you get past his cutting edge, there's a
lot of sound common sense too.

His raking down of Harry in POA over his going into Hogsmeade is
actually quite accurate.  There are a lot of people giving up their
time and energy to keep Harry safe - I'm sure the teachers just love
working a whole day, grading essays or tests in the evening and then
taking night shifts to look out for Sirius Black.  And there's never
a hint that Harry ever thinks about this aspect of things, that these
people are putting themselves out for him.  All he does is pout about
the unfairness of not going to Hogsmeade.  Frankly if I was a teacher
with no particular closeness to the Potter family, I might be more
than a little ticked at Harry's refusal to co-operate until Black was
found.

Ditto Snape's comment during occlumency that Harry is not special. 
Yeah, Lupin would have been more supportive, but as usual Snape had a
point: Harry's got to work at developing his talents and skills, he's
not a natural or prodigy, and he'd better buckle down.  

Especially in view of Dumbledore's (apparent - I still have issues
with it but for the sake of argument I'll accept it for now)
determination to protect Harry from the truth and the implications of
that truth, I have more sympathy for those actually charged with the
practical tasks of teaching and disciplining Harry.  

Magda





		
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