CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 28, Snape's worst memory

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 115197


 Meri wrote:
snip
> But why then did he leave the Pensieve out in the open? Snape 
knows  what a busybody Harry is, and surely (though I have no canon 
to back  this up) DD would have mentioned that Harry knows how a 
Pensieve  works and might be tempted to peek. For a guy who locks up 
his  office with myriad spells and spends time prowling the halls, 
Snape  seems peculilarly paraniod about his own personal security. 
So why  on earth did he leave Harry alone in his office with a full 
> Pensieve? It doesn't make sense from what we know of Snape, 
unless,  again, there is some reason that either, a: Harry had to 
see that  memory, or b: Snape could no longer teach him Occlumency, 
for what  ever reason. But Snape actually trusting Harry? Not in a 
million  years. 
> 
Potioncat:
I dont' think we're going to convince each other, but I have some 
questions anyway.

How did Snape know they would be interrupted?  Do you think he set 
it up that Draco would come running in for help? If he wanted Harry 
to go into the Pensieve to have an excuse to stop Occlumency, why 
that memory?  He could have chosen anything and used the intrusion 
as an excuse.

I know you say it's your opinion that DD would have told Snape that 
Harry had an experience with the Pensieve.  But I feel as strongly 
that he wouldn't have.  Or I should say, we don't know, but if I 
were guessing, I would guess against it.  I'm basing this on the 
other events that DD hasn't shared with Snape in the past.  (Giving 
Harry an Invisibility Cloak, encouraging him to wander around at 
night...)

I think someone wanted Harry and the reader to see that memory, but 
it wasn't Snape.  It was JKR. And she set it up so we did.  Yes, 
Snape removes his memories in front of Harry.  With no comment or 
explanation, or taunting. He puts them back in immediately after the 
Occlumency lessons. I have the impression that there is some sort of 
time constraint involved.  But that is my guess.

You know, Snape has this "saving people thing" and he had a student 
to rescue.  Not only was his student trapped, but it was Umbridge 
trying to get him free...about as bad as Lockhart mending broken 
bones.  So he takes off, forgetting his Pensieve, just like Lupin 
took off forgetting his Potion. 

So I don't see how this could have been a trap for Harry. 

Potioncat