Evaluating Snape (was: Re: Lupin's resentment )

[melclaros]

No: HPFGUIDX 94121

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:
 
> 
> Let's call it GRADE ABUSE.  Think of those times when Snape is not 
> only snarly or acidic or sarcastic in his comments towards Harry, 
> but when he **totally unfairly**--with no foundation--gives Harry 
a 
> zero on the day's potion.  At least twice that I can think of 
Harry 
> was given a zero when he either flat-out didn't deserve the zero 
or 
> someone *else* [was it Draco?] caused the potion flask to be 
> broken.  And IIRC, comments are made throughout the books which 
> imply that Snape *routinely* gives Harry unwarranted zeros and 
> delights in doing so.  
> 
> If Harry were a poor enough student to routinely deserve zeros, 
that 
> would be one thing.  


Routinely? Where in canon does it say that Harry *routinely* 
receives zeros? In the course of FIVE books we have seen VERY FEW 
potions lessons and the ones we HAVE seen we've been allowed to peek 
in on because of some special reason. In *every single* one of those 
lessons (even the one in which SNAPE HIMSELF breaks Harry's sample 
flask) Harry has screwed up his potion due to carelessness,  
inattentiveness or nosiness. Potions is an exacting and dangerous 
science. From what we've seen, over the past FIVE years of Harry's 
schooling, he's obviously done well enough to be permitted to carry 
on to the next level.
I'm far more able to understand those who accuse Snape of 
psychological abuse (JKR herself, I believe, means to portray this) 
and even physical abuse (after the pensieve incident) than anyone 
who accuses Snape of--what did you call it? "Grade abuse"? Carol has 
already made an argument against the unfounded claims that he favors 
Draco (in grading). Likewise there is NO canon evidence that Snape 
has "routinely" given Harry zeros. 

Mel