Snape--Abusive?

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 114986


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Hannah" <hannahmarder at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> Hannah leaps to Snape's defence (of course): I never understand why 
> people blame Snape so much for the occlumency disaster.  He does 
his 
> best in difficult circumstances.  DD should never have asked Snape 
> to do it.

Finwitch:

For this, I agree. Almost *Anyone* but Snape to teach Harry such a 
deeply personal subject.

Partly because this adult cannot control his emotions more than a 
teenager IMO - and because his history as DE gives Voldemort a 
further opportunity to get into Harry's mind. (it's not like that 
mark went anywhere!) and Harry's right. Snape *did* make it worse - 
trough lack of skill, the huge emotional backing and/or the mark - 
not by his choice, certainly.

Hannhah:

  Snape did his best, IMO.  He stopped teaching Harry after 
> Harry seriously provoked him.  Even then, he may have resumed 
> classes had Harry asked - he did continue to teach Harry potions.
  
Finwitch:

Yes, well... maybe. But Harry didn't know that. He didn't dare go 
near Snape... (and I *do* think those lessons made things worse!)

Hannah: 

> Harry never practiced - Snape couldn't force him to.  He did his 
> best through reprimands etc.  Snape's teaching methods are suited 
> well to something precise and dry like potions, not to something 
> emotional like occlumency.  He does his best, but in this case, his 
> best just isn't right.  

Finwitch:

No, it's not. A thing like Occlumency - well, as I see it, demanding 
too much is fine in a subject where it's better to hesitate when 
you're not absolutely certain you can do it. (And Potions is such, as 
smallest error may well turn a nice Pepper Up Potion into Poison. It 
must be perfect). Occlumency is NOT such a thing. It requires a lot 
of patience and ability to control emotions. As such, it's a bit like 
Patronus. Snape could not teach that to Harry, no matter how 
motivated Harry was. Lupin OtOH, did manage to do so - by *slowing* 
Harry down so he won't exhaust himself, and constantly telling him 
it's enough already.

Oh, sure, Snape told Harry to calm himself - but never ever how to do 
so! I don't think Harry was *able* to do any such practise! A 15-year 
old boy, suffering from loss of blood, tired, filled with adreline, 
stuffed with hormonal overload, able to calm himself down on a 
command of a man who just invaded into his privacy in a very hurtful 
manner? Impossible. So don't blame Harry for his disability!

And yet, there is one thing about this of which Snape is to blame: He 
knew Harry wasn't ready and yet he forced his way in. Thus giving 
more fuel to Harry's emotions... Nah, Snape shouldn't be teaching 
Occlumency to ANYONE.

Finwitch