Snape & Harry

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 101257

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Christina in GA" <clr1971 at a...> wrote:
> 
> Christina: What about when he purposely broke Harry's potion vial in OotP
> and gave him a 0? That was done deliberately. Snape is not my favorite
> teacher and I admit there is something more we need to learn about him. We
> just broke the surface in OotP. But after so many years of unfair behavior -
> punishing Harry & other Gryffindors when Draco picks on them, breaking his
> potions vial, making those scathing comments (which do hurt a person, BTW),
> well I wouldn't trust him much either.
> 

Yes, Snape gave Harry a zero,  but the only effect it had was to confirm
Harry's opinions of Snape. Which, I believe was the whole point of doing
it in the first place.

Snape has asked, demanded that Harry be expelled on more than one
occasion. He'd be more surprised than anyone if DD agreed. He must know
how critical Harry is to DD's  plans, so he knows that DD wants Harry right
where he is. That being so it gives Snape free rein for his favourite indoor
sport -  baiting Harry. It's probably the only fun he gets. Except for the
Occlumency  cock-up  (a special case) there have been no  academic
repercussions from any of his low marks, points from Gryffindor or caustic
comments. It's very odd; even Neville who is even more inept than Harry in
Potions never fails exams. Nobody ever fails anything. Surely by  the law of
averages there must  be some duds in the year, but apparently not.

I've suggested before that Snape is playing a part, or maybe exaggerating
his feelings. It wouldn't do for Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle et al to send an owl 
home saying Snape was soft on Potter. It might compromise his secret 
missions (whatever they are) if he were suspected of back-sliding from
the Slytherin ideal. Harry truly hating Snape is a bonus so far as Snape
is concerned. It adds to his cover, gives him an excuse to sneak round
and keep  a close watchful eye on Harry.

Snape isn't nice but he seems to be DD's right-hand man in the Order.
Trying to keep Harry out of trouble could be one of the chores given to
him by DD, one he'd relish -  more opportunities to annoy Potter!

The hurt you mention is deliberately placed there by JKR; she's admitted as
much. In one interview she tells of a mother who wrote to her saying that
she  didn't like her children reading such things. JKR responded saying that
in that case they'd better  not read any more of the books, because Harry 
was going to continue to suffer. There must be a reason for all this hurt
you dislike; unless of course  JKR has sadistic tendencies and enjoys putting
Harry through the mill.

Kneasy