What if other teachers behaved like Snape?

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 101187

I'm a bit nervous taking on Ms. Pippin, but I'm willing to take the risk.  If this 
pops up on the list twice, I'm very sorry, and I don't know why my posts are 
doing that.

Okay - I understand the support for Snape.  I really do.  Snape is not out to 
kill Harry.  Snape is a member of the Order and he took a hell of a risk 
showing Fudge his Dark Mark.  I respect Snape for turning against Voldemort 
and the DEs and choosing to be a spy for Dumbledore.  I find him a 
fascinating character.

However, Snape just *loves* to get Harry in trouble... or at least try to.  He 
was the one waiting for Ron and Harry in CoS when they crashed the car into 
the Whomping Willow.  He was very eager to see them both punished.

The moment when I really hated Snape was when he would not let Harry find 
Dumbledore in GoF when Harry found Crouch on the grounds of Hogwarts.  I 
still cannot for the life of me understand why Snape not only delayed Harry, 
but seemed to enjoy it.  True, Harry was not about to be punished, but Snape 
was just plain mean here.

Even in SS, when Snape first comes face to face with Harry in Potions class, 
he seizes the opportunity to make a fool of Harry.  It's mean and uncalled for.

I teach high school and I have some tough students.  Sometimes it is very 
hard to like them, but I find a way.  I don't pick on them, or single them out, or 
hold grudges from year to year, even with kids I've had problems with 
previously.  Snape would do his job better both as a teacher and as a 
member of the Order if he'd let go of the past and focus on the now.   

I do think it was Dumbledore's mistake, though, to think Snape could 
successfully teach Harry Occlumency.  A tricky potion he could have done, 
but working with the mind?  That was too hard for both of them, as we all saw 
the disastrous results.  Beyond that, Snape needs to chill out.

--jenny from ravenclaw, hoping this doesn't post twice ***************************