The length of the Pensieve Scene

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 117325


bboyminn (Steve) wrote:
<snip> 
> I think we are dealing with two separate but related things. At the
> top is Snape's intellectual decision to hide that particular memory.
> Next is Snape's own SUBCONSCIOUS attachment to that memory. 
> 
> In his intellect, he wants to hide his humiliation from Harry, but
> subconsciously he can't detach himself from his emotions about being
a 'victim'. In order to be a 'victim' he has to be innocent, minding
his own business, and subjected to an /unprovoked/ attack. 
> 
> We could speculate that there were many other occassions when Snape
> was the attacker; when he attacked James without provocation. But
> subconsciously those instances, which by the way, he probably also
> hide in the pensieve, don't re-enforce his 'I didn't to anything to
> them' point of view. <snip>

Carol responds:
I have only one objection to your analysis, the speculation that he
probably his some unprovoked attacks on James in the Pensieve. He
selected only three memories; there must have been dozens of hexing
incidents, some with James and others with Severus as the initiator.
(We're told by Lily that James hexed anyone who annoyed him; he was no
hero at that point in his life.) We also have a glimpse of minor but
painful childhood memories that did *not* go into the Pensieve.

We know that became a Death Eater and then renounced the Death Eaters
and spied for Dumbledore. We also know that he's doing something very
dangerous and very secret from the Order now. Surely there are many
things that he not only wanted but *needed* to hide from Harry--and
from Voldemort, who probably could not see the Occlumency lessons but
could at some point access Snape's memories if Harry witnessed them.

Whatever else was in that Pensieve was not, I would bet my computer
(on second thought, a used, secondhand copy of "Silas Marner"!), a
trivial childhood memory related to James. It was related in some way
to the DEs and Voldemort. And removing such memories was in on way an
unfair advantage over Harry. It was absolutely necessary that they be
protected, and absolutely necessary that Snape access Harry's dream
and any thoughts that Voldemort might be planting in Harry's head and
report them to Dumbledore. (That, if I'm not mistaken, was
Dumbledore's real motive in making Harry take Occlumency lessons.)

Carol