Harry learning from Snape (was: stopper death)

[dzeytoun]

No: HPFGUIDX 114576


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Renee" <R.Vink2 at c...> wrote:
> 
> Renee:
> (a bit late, but it's hard to keep up with the many posts!)
> Eh, I don't know which edition you are reading, but mine - the UK 
> hardback edition of 2003 - has a slightly different text:
> 
> "What are you doing, Potter," said Snape, as coldly as ever. (...)
> "I'm trying to decide what curse to use on Malfoy, sir, said Harry 
> fiercely."
> Snape stared at him.
> "Put that wand away at once," he said curtly. 

Good point.  I stand corrected.
> 
> 
> So it's Snape who speaks coldly, not Harry, who reacts more or less 
> like he usually does. I'm not sure Snape is at a loss for words 
> either; for all I know the staring is part of his intimidation 
> tactics. And Dzeytoun, while Harry's answer is straightforward 
> enough, he answers the question prompty and addresses Snape 
> as 'sir'. So, while showing he won't be cowed, he remains polite.

Well, defiance and rudeness are most definitely not the same thing.  
In fact, being strictly polite is often the best way of expressing 
defiance.  Nor is courtesy and respect exactly the same thing.  There 
are many ways of being courteous while making a lack of respect 
extremely clear.
 
> 
> Regardless of what the various posters on this list think Harry 
> *should* do regarding Snape, it's still JKR who'll decide what he 
> *will* do. And looking at this exchange, my bet would be 'undaunted 
> yet correct'. 

I agree that should and will are very different things.  I also agree 
that, in actual fact, what we are likely to see is more of the same, 
with Harry perhaps becoming somewhat more controlled, although also 
more hate-filled, and Snape growing a degree or two nastier.  

In other words, if I had to bet on what will *actually* appear in the 
next two books, I would say we will see a kind of fierce Cold War 
between the two of them, occasionally showing some smoldering heat as 
Snape pours on the nastiness and Harry can't resist taking advantage 
of opportunities here and there to push Snape's buttons 
(e.g. "Complaining again, Potter?"  "Sorry,Professor, I didn't mean 
to snivel.")