[HPforGrownups] Re: Let's hear it for good old Snapey!

[Amanda Geist]

No: HPFGUIDX 87917

vmonte spake, and said thusly:

> I agree that Harry ignores intructions and often relies on instinct
> intstead of logic in times of trouble. Harry is neither logical,
> clever, nor a strategist. He gets out of tight spots because he has
> natural talent, thinks quickly on his feet, has loyal friends who
> have extra ability in what he lacks. Hermione and Ron complete "the
> dream team."

Interesting take. And in this case, the rest of the team let him down, as it
were--they also forgot Snape was in the Order, when they were plotting to
break into Umbridge's office; and they also failed to seek him out after
they escaped Umbridge's office (I am assuming that Harry's attempt to
communicate to Snape in her office reminded them, although this may not be
true); they, even the logical Hermione (who had analyzed the situation
spot-on and been ignored), charged off on thestrals instead of going back to
the castle to Snape (which they could have; Umbridge and her minions were
out of the way for the time being).

I was frustrated by both Hermione and Ron in that whole "rescue" episode,
almost as much as I was by Harry.

> 1. I wonder why Snape removed his thoughts in front of Harry?

He may not have known that Harry knew what the Pensieve was. Dumbledore is
not exactly a bubbling font of information, and I can see him not telling
Snape that Harry (a) knew what this was and (b) knew how to access the
memories in it.

> 2. If the pensieve belonged to Dumbledore where some of his memories  also
in the pensieve?

I thought the description when we first see it on Snape's desk is that it's
empty; I got that impression because the descriptions of the thoughts when
Snape *does* put some in there are so vivid. Like there hadn't been any in
there before.

> 3. Have other people at the school placed their memories in this
> pensieve?

If they've used the Pensieve, I'm betting they haven't left memories in
there. See #2.

> 4. How do we know that these memories are Snapes? Is it just because
Harry repeated several times that they were. (Remember Harry always  takes
things at face value.)

Because we are told at least twice that Snape performed their removal in
front of Harry, and we see him replacing them afterwards.

> 5. Can pensieve memories be altered in order to deceive?

Good question. With no canon that I can think of to answer it. Hm. The
Dishwasher people are going to *jump* on this, having Snape a superb actor
*and* a tamperer with his memories, which he really *wanted* Harry to see,
tra la. Ugh.

I'd imagine anything can be altered. But I don't think Snape did, because I
think he really *did* remove them to prevent Harry seeing them accidentally.
Also, neither Lupin nor Sirius corrects or argues with any of the events
that Harry saw, as he related them, telling me that that memory, at least,
was probably accurate.

> 6. Is there something else in the memory, besides the obvious, that
 Snape would fear that Harry might have seen?

Well, we didn't see *all* of it. [smiles the Snape/Lily theorist] Also,
there were two other memories (three is the number the first Occlumency
lesson mentions) which Harry didn't see any of.

> 7. If Snape borrowed the pensieve from Dumbledore did Dumbledore warn
Snape that Harry might take a peek, or was Snape (or Dumbledore)  counting
on Harry peeking?

See #1 above. I don't think Snape would have left Harry alone with an open
bowlful of his memories if he had any idea that Harry knew what they were or
how to access it. So I'd say no, Snape really wanted them out of the
equation. As for what Dumbledore may be engineering? Probably no as well;
but one never knows.

> 8. Would there be a reason that Snape would want to end occulmency
lessons.

I've gone into some analysis of why he might *need* to, for his own
protection, after Harry's intrusion. I think Snape must be very careful as
to what memories or emotions he allows himself to have, in relation to Harry
(and the rest of the Order), and must control the situations and extent to
which he interacts. I suggested that a "bleedover" where Snape now
associates a James emotion *directly* with Harry might in some way endanger
Snape's ability to successfully Occlumens in front of Voldemort.

This is only one of the potential reasons, you understand.

> Just some thoughts.

Good ones.

~Amanda