The length of the Pensieve Scene

[curlyhornedsnorkack]

No: HPFGUIDX 118162


> Carol responds:
> ...
> As far as I can see, Severus is doing nothing wrong in the early 
> part of the memory. He is writing detailed exam answers and then 
> studying the questions to be sure he got them right. For some 
> reason, the DADA exam was very important to him, and this 
> information is an integral part of the memory, both from Snape's 
> perspective and from JKR's.
> 
> I see nothing suspicious in Snape's actions here. They're both
> natural and in character. (I do think he may have wanted a good 
> reason to and the Occlumency lessons, which clearly weren't working, 
> but that's another topic.) I think Snape is angry that Harry has seen 
> him humiliated, angrier still that he has violated his privacy and 
> shown himself untrustworthy, and perhaps afraid that Harry has seen 
> the other memories that he deposited in the Pensieve as well.


Even if we do leave out the characteristics of the pensieve, on which
we don't agree, (and not everyone seems to either, and I'm not
interested in discussing it any further for the foreseeable future)
Snape's actions are still suspicious. Can you address the character's
motives for taking advantage of a beautiful day to sit in a dense
shade? Why didn't he set off for a nicer place, most likely the shade
of the tree under which the Marauders settled, if he was unaware of
them? Or why didn't he sit closer to the girls?   We are told that
this scene takes place in the 5th year, that the characters already
hate each other and (by Sirius in OOTP) have had frequent
altercations. What is a person like Snape, disliked by many and
embattled by the talented but cruel Marauders, someone who's used to
having to defend himself on a regular basis, doing absent-mindedly
wandering around? I agree that Snape's actions are natural and in
character, which is why I enjoy JKR's work. But his actions can also
be those of a sneak. 

I agree completely that Snape felt humiliated, angry that Harry
violated his privacy and is afraid of what else Harry saw. (I don't
think Snape is angry that Harry has proved himself untrustworthy,
since Snape wouldn't trust Harry in any way.) One thing I thought of
just after sending my last message is how much in character it would
be for Snape to wonder what Harry thought of Snape sneaking around his
fathers' friends, instead of realizing that Harry would rather watch
his father than Snape. Snape seems to take what Harry does or is as
somehow related to Snape. Examples: accusing Harry of making Neville
look bad to look good in front of Snape(SS/PS),  and the hospital
scene after the rescue of Sirius(POA).

I was wondering what you meant when you said 
> "DADA exam was very important to him, and this information is an 
> integral part of the memory, both from Snape's perspective and from 
> JKR's."

Is there a JKR quote that goes along with this about this scene?

"curlyhornedsnorkack"