Question for Snapeophiles and -phobes RE Dumbledore, Snape, and Harry

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 114522


Dzeytoun:
> Now, the thing I don't get, I really don't, is why would anyone 
think 
> Snape is *capable* of changing his opinion of Harry or even 
*capable* 
> of changing his behavior?  The evidence we have, from what I can 
see, 
> is that he isn't.  He has far too much invested emotionally in his 
> view of Harry, and that view leads directly to the way he 
behaves.  
> To change would mean, at some level, coming to some peace with his 
> past RE the Marauders and James.  I suppose he would if he could, 
if 
> only to get rid of his own pain, but all the evidence is that he 
> simply CANNOT.  Now, given that, why would Harry being respectful 
to 
> him make any dent at all?  As far as I can see, he would just 
> say "That blasted Potter's up to something, but he can't fool me!"

Jen: Just to add another thought to this debate: I hope JKR doesn't 
resolve the tension between Snape and Harry. Can there really be a 
satisfying way for them to reach detente without compromising the 
characters? Here are a few options, and none ring true for me: 

1) Harry comes to realize that Snape (in his own way) has been 
trying to help him all along. Harry grudgingly starts to trust Snape 
and in return, Snape backs off a little.
2) Harry takes the moral high-ground, not allowing Snape's 
persistent heckling to affect him anymore, and resists the urge to 
give back what he gets. Snape is thrown off-guard but basically 
continues to treat Harry the same.
3) Both realize how much is at stake in the WW and decide to become 
friendly enemies for the greater good.
4) Snape finally acknowledges Harry is not James, buries the 
hatchet, and both go on to treat each other slightly better than 
before. 
5) One or the other attempts a reconciliation, and the resulting 
rejection causes tensions to increase.

JKR will probably come up with a more satisfying resolution 
scenario, but I'd prefer to see continued tension. Until Snape is 
toast, of course, which I'm betting will happen by the end of Book 
6. ;)

Jen Reese