Understanding Snape

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 91123


Carol: 
> If the memory were subjective, Harry would be limited to Snape's 
> POV, reading the exam sheet and Severus's answers. As it is, he can 
> move about inside the memory, just as if he were present (but
invisible). 
> 
Cindy:
> That's how I see it, but I wonder if Snape could "flesh out" a
memory?  (I don't know if I can explain it...)  In other words, once
he learns that Lupin is a werewolf go back and say "ohhh, they must
have been talking about *that* when he called him Mooney..."  From
that time forward, his original memory now includes that tidbit, which
wasn't there to begin with.
> 
> Or conversely, maybe he's full of self-pity, and later assumes the
trio was talking about him.  There he was, being studious and minding
his own business, and the bullies come up and start plotting against
him out of nowhere...  So in his memory he's portrayed as a bigger
victim than in real life.
> 
> I guess what I wonder is how much fact do we give memories in a
pensive?  I think we give them as much credence as we do the owner;
DD's memories are fact, whereas maybe Snape's are slanted a bit in his
favor.

Carol:
I don't think you can alter the contents of a Pensieve. It's whole
function is to present what would otherwise be your own subjective
thought in an objective way that you (or someone else) can examine at
will--a way of getting at the truth that can't be done in the usual way. 

Also, if Snape had colored that memory in his favor, there would have
been no reason to remove it. As it was, the memory was a record of his
public humiliation by Harry's father that he specifically didn't want
Harry to see. The whole point of the Pensieve in that scene was not to
distort the memory but to store it sfely.

Carol, who is really curious as to what those other two memories were
and thinks they must be something LV doesn't already know