How should Harry deal with Snape

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 107903

Pippin said:
> What Harry needs to do is change the way he reacts to the 
> bullying, not because Snape is making him, but because Harry 
> has that power and that choice. He, unlike Snape, is not in thrall 
> to compulsive behavior. Harry can't change the rules: as long as 
> Snape is a teacher and Harry a student, Snape will have ways to 
> abuse his power, and as long as Harry is human, Snape will be 
> able to find some weakness to exploit. But Harry can change 
> the game.
> 
> Instead of playing, "Every time Snape humiliates me, he wins," 
> he can change the game to "Every time I keep my temper and 
> don't mouth off, I win." Then insults won't be a way of keeping 
> score, he won't have to take them  seriously and he can 
> concentrate on visualizing that vulture hat every time Snape 
> starts in on him.
> 
> Who knows, Harry might eventually be able to say, quietly, "Yeah, 
> dad and Sirius were berks, sometimes," and Snape would be so 
> astounded he'd melt right through the floor like one of Neville's 
> cauldrons.
 

DZEYTOUN:  
> Oh dear, I hope things don't get this insipid.  After five years of 
> abuse Harry decides to take a page out of "An Officer and a 
> Gentleman."
> 
> Snape has been the one who has abused Harry consistently for five 
> years.  It is to *Snape* that the consequences and changes must 
> come home to roost, *not* to Harry.


SSSusan:
BUT IF IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN, IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN.  [Sorry, if that 
seemed like shouting, but this is beginning to drive me nuts.]  If 
Snape's not going to change (or not change much), and most seem to 
think that's highly likely--I think you & I even agree on that?--then 
there are two remaining options: 1) Harry & Snape continue on as they 
have for the first five years; 2) Harry CHOOSES to alter his own 
behavior.

Given what option 1 has "done" for Harry, I think it's just possible 
that he might decide to try 2, in spite of his personal feelings 
regarding Snape.  It has nothing to do with what Snape deserves or 
doesn't deserve, nor with what he should or shouldn't do (many people 
think Snape *should* change), but it has everything to do with Harry 
taking control of the situation.

I can't picture the *particular* scene that Pippin has presented, but 
I would love to see Snape's narrowed eyes as he must contemplate 
Harry doing SOMETHING unexpected, such as *not* talking back, *not* 
allowing his mind to wander while potion-making, or *not* being 
caught out of bounds or otherwise breaking the rules.  It would be 
loverly, imo.

Siriusly Snapey Susan