How should Harry deal with Snape? (was: Why Snape doesn't have to be human)

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 107594

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "melclaros" <melclaros at y...> wrote:
> > Does anybody have an idea, how should Harry deal with Snape? I 
> 
> Mel:
> Well, let's see. By attending to his lessons and studying. By 
> minding his own business. By following the rules once in a while and 
> even occassionally listening to something told him by an adult. 
> *Any* adult.

Aside from the fact that that would make the story completely boring
:-), it would do him no good. There is a student who does everything
described above, and gets bullied and ridiculed by Snape just as much
as Harry. I am referring of course to Neville Longbottom. Face it,
Snape hates Harry and nothing Harry does would make a difference.

> Good lord, he knows what the man is like by now, 
> doesn't he? He knows he's being watched for any mistake. He could at 
> least *try* to learn something.

What makes you think he doesn't? He does all his homework, makes a
clear effort during lessons. He tends to get distracted, which leads
to his poor results, although they get marked down a lot more than
similar quality potions from other students.

> Your claim that Snape's dislike of Harry is not due to his incessant 
> rule breaking is no longer rings true.

The conflict between them started and has continued on by Snape. He is
not only an adult but has the status and power of a teacher. Snape has
made no effort to improve their relationship (except perhaps during
the first occlumency lesson). Why should a teenager do the same?

> It's far too much to ask for even a mumbled thanks and/or apology 
> for everything Snape *has* done for him so far, but perhaps some 
> sort of acknowledgement that something "went down" at the Quidditch 
> match (to pick one of the fav examples) would be nice.

That is true, but does not justify a biased and unfair treatment of a
student by a teacher in this way. It would certainly be a cause for
dismissal of said teacher by our muggle high schools...

> The thing is, this "I hate Snape he's so unfair!" has become a one-
> trick pony. Harry's latest "I hate Snape he's to blame for 
> everything!" tantrum at the end of OoP was a deal-breaker, really. 
> It looked like he might show some growth after the pensieve debacle, 
> but that was snatched away.

I would not judge what a kid says in the midst of mourning for the
adult they cared for most in the world and who was the man who cared
most for him; a kid, moreover, who feels personally responsible for
the death, and is dealing with other burdens besides.

> There was very little to like about the 
> young man in book 5, which I appreciated just because it was a 
> fairly accurate depiction of a pouty teenager, but that little 
> tirade finished him for me. He'd better have a personality 
> transplant over the next summer or Snape won't be his only problem.

I really liked Harry in book 5. He finally managed to express his
feelings, shout, cry (at the end), etc. He managed to overcome the
united hostility of the world towards him and his own internal demons
to act in an honorable and selfless manner (for some example, see his
actions when Umbridge discovers the DA, and of course when he goes to
"save" Sirius).

Salit