[HPforGrownups] "Snape's Job"

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 93195

On 17 Mar 2004 at 9:53, severelysigune wrote:

> What on earth is Snape so (almost) satisfied about? Snape being 
> Snape, I suddenly started to wonder if he is pleased that Harry 
> should think he is spying whereas in fact he isn't (?!) - but that 
> does not seem to make much sense to me. And I find his suddenly 
> glinting eyes quite alarming. Any theories? Please?

Yeah, I've puzzled over that bit myself.

The only conclusion I've come to is Snape is satisfied because, to 
an extent, Harry is showing him a degree of respect by that 
statement.

Harry is acknowledging that Snape is risking his life to fight 
Voldemort.

It doesn't seem like Harry and Snape are ever likely to like each 
other. But they do seem to be on the same side - and maybe, given 
time, they can come to sort of mutual respect.

Consider that on the following page, Snape - grudgingly, admittedly 
- does sort of the same thing.

"'Reparo,' hissed Snape, and the jar sealed itself at once. "Well, 
Potter... that was certainly an improvement...' Panting slightly, 
Snape straightened the Pensieve in which he had again stored some 
of his thoughts before starting the lesson, almost as though he was 
checking they were still there. 'I don't remember telling you to 
use a Shield Charm... but there is no doubt that it was 
effective.'"

As I say - I think Snape is satisfied - because Harry has, for 
once, acknowledged what he is doing. And what Snape seems to be 
doing is a big deal. It's worthy of respect - whether or not the 
man himself is or not.

And Harry, having acknowledged Snape - Snape makes a tiny move to 
repay that.


Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia