FF: Snape, Harry, Dumbledore, and flaws in the books

[dzeytoun]

No: HPFGUIDX 106362

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "M.Clifford" <Aisbelmon at h...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "huntergreen_3" 
> Valky:
Harry is important also, 
> but Snape is and has always been a least of his worries. Like a 
> niggling itch that you can scratch occassionally but really it's 
> just an annoyance. A nothing really. 

That certainly does not seem to be the situation at the end of OOTP.  
JKR went to a great deal of trouble to set up that "I hate Snape and 
will never forgive him," scene.  I wouldn't say that means Snape will 
be a nothing to Harry in the ensuing books.

>  
> But, Snape and Harry have an awful lot in common. Dumbledore sees 
> the connection and has done from the start. I think his higher 
> purpose is to protect and care for both of them, like they were his 
> own children. 

Yes, I do think that is probably the case.

In which case I 
> think were DD to punish Snape for what he's done to Harry the 
> consequences would be worse.

How so?  If an older child is abusing a younger one, it is a very 
poor parent indeed who does not punish the older child?  I have to 
admit I am totally confused by your comment. 

> It would be far more cruel to Snape to punish him and discard him 
> than it is to allow him and Harry to bicker, despite that Harry is 
> quite innocent.

Who says punishing Snape necessarily means discarding him?  For 
instance for Dumbledore to say, "You have failed in one of the most 
important tasks I have ever given you.  I will hold you responsible 
if any more grief arises over this episode," would be humiliating 
punishment for Snape, but would not entail discarding him.

Of course, I suppose it can be said, if you are able to twist your 
mind around to Snape's point of view which is unhealthy and painful, 
that he probably finds it infuriating that the Headmaster never 
punishes Harry for disrespect to his teacher.  But as Snape does a 
good job of that himself, I do think it incumbent on Dumbledore to 
step in and even the scales.

Dzeytoun