Harry mastering his emotions in HPB (was: Plot in OotP)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 118197


> Lupinlore: 
> > Oh dear.  Well, I suppose that's one way to solve it, but IMO 
would be a very unsatisfactory way indeed.  A thread like Snape's 
cries out for resolution, and I just can't see any way for that to 
happen unless Snape either 1) changes, or 2) dies.  

SSSusan: 
> I personally am quite open to the two possibilities you've 
suggested 
> of Snape either changing or dying, btw, but what I'm arguing is 
the 
> big IF:  IF Snape lives, IF Snape is totally unwilling and 
> uninterested in changing his actions & attitudes, then I think 
> Harry's putting the greater good ahead of his own sense of 
personal 
> justice is what he would do.
> 
> Lupinlore, since you'd like to have the Snape thread achieve 
> resolution, can you paint a picture of how JKR might do such a 
thing 
> [particularly the "change" option] and make it believable for a 
Snape 
> who's shown so little interest or inclination in change?


Jen: You've pointed out the problem with a Snape changing scenario--
it would have to be believable. Everyone has a different threshold 
for what they can stomach of course, but I personally can't imagine 
Snape making a dramatic change or having some emotional catharsis 
(ugh). So that leaves subtle change.

Subtle change is a possibility. Personally, I'd like to see a 
continuation of the stalemate between the two, with perhaps a 
minimal de-icing as each learns more about the past. Harry might 
learn that Snape switched sides prior to GH and actually attempted 
to save the Potters or something to that effect, and he would feel a 
slight (very slight) grudging respect for Snape. Snape might come to 
understand Harry's past shaped him into a very different person from 
James, and that one characteristic Harry *does* share with James, a 
strong desire to vanquish Voldemort, is actually commendable. 

That might be an 'ugh' scenario as well, actually. I like them 
feuding! I know, I know it's not very satisfying in a fictional 
story but it's so true to life!! Sometimes the best solution to a 
problematic relationship in RL is to sever ties (hehe), and this 
might be true in Potterverse as well. 

But I do think Snape and Harry, unlike Snape and Sirius, will find 
some way to *work* together even if the nastiness continues on both 
sides. And Harry is only getting older and more confident--Snape 
better watch out.

Jen Reese, glad to be back after a Yahoogroups break ;)