How Should Harry Deal with Snape?

[Lissa Hess]

No: HPFGUIDX 107676

At 07:25 PM 7/25/2004 +0000, you wrote:
>   Alla:
>
>Yes, why, why indeed? Why the child expects the teacher to treat him
>reasonably? Why the reader expects the character not to hold the
>grudge against another character who is innocent of the wrongdoings ?
>
>The fact that Snape is constant in his hatred right now, does not
>mean that this will be his function in the narrative till the end. I
>firmly believe that JKR intends for Snape to change, to redeem
>himself at the end.
>
>I don't believe that he will be the same when the books are finished.


Lissa:

I totally agree that Snape will change... a bit.  I don't think he'll ever 
become a nice loving person who keeps fluffy bunnies for pets and tells 
bedtime stories.  But I do think he and Harry will develop a grudging 
respect for each other.  However, I don't think it will be Snape OR Harry 
that makes the first move.

Harry is too emotional right now, and the poor kid has enough on his 
plate.  His hatred for Snape is an outlet, because right this minute (end 
OotP) if he stops hating Snape he might finally have to admit that he and 
Sirius both had a role in Sirius's death.  He has so much to cope with, a 
little venting hatred at Snape will be a good relief valve.  And Snape may 
be feeling exactly the same way- especially now that he doesn't have Sirius 
to taunt anymore.  (In fact, I'd be willing to bet Snape places the blame 
for Sirius's death squarely on Harry, although I doubt he's so upset about it.)

Snape ain't about to reach out to Harry.  The OotP and anything related to 
that is all about defeating Voldemort, not male bonding and talking about 
emotions.  Uh-uh.

As for them being forced to work together right now, the only avenue for 
that is occlumancy, and Dumbledore's even admitted that wasn't one of his 
best ideas.  But if they're going to get together on something, that would 
be it (at least for book 6.)

I'm guessing that they will require a mediator- someone else that Harry 
trusts to make the first step.  The logical choice is Lupin.

However, without James and Sirius around, Lupin might actually stand a 
chance at talking to Snape.  In the scene where Harry tells Sirius and 
Lupin Snape's stopped giving him lessons, Lupin insists that he be the one 
to talk to Snape.  Now, I know I have my theories about these two, but even 
ignoring any former-friendship type theories, consider that Lupin IS the 
most forgiving and most patient- not only of the Mauraders, but of the 
adults.  (Well, Mr. Weasley could fall into that category, but I think he's 
got bigger fish to fry.)  And I think Lupin tends to be more of a quick 
thinker and a big picture kind of person- that's what made it possible for 
him to react quickly and restrain Harry when Sirius fell through the veil, 
even though he had to be ready to scream at that point.

Another interesting possibility is Ron or Hermione, although I tend to 
favor Ron.  Snape has never been excessively cruel to Ron- not like he is 
to Hermione or Harry.  Another Weasley brother starting to work with Snape 
could be appealing, too.

I have to admit, if I were Harry I'd probably act more like Neville, and 
just try to fly under Snape's radar.  But that's totally me, and I'm 
definitely not that much like Harry.  But he'd be smart to tone it down... 
especially if he somehow (how???) managed to squeak an O out of his potions 
O.W.L.

Liss