Snape's stalling

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 116356


> Alla:
> 
> Oh, I disagree with that logic, Pippin. It reminds me of "Harry is 
> an unreilable narrator" argument, when it comes to Snape.
> 
> I think personally that the importance of such argument is 
GREATLY exaggerated. Sure, Harry is quite an unreliable 
narrator in PS/SS,  because he is eleven and because Snape 
had been cleverly set up as  villain by the author. 
> 
> But with every book Harry's POV is widening and he is noticing 
more  and more things, so after OOP to me Harry is quite 
reliable.<

Pippin:
::blinks:: 
He sure was shocked to find that Kreacher had lied to him. He 
thought Sirius hated Kreacher, though Dumbledore says not.   
He had no idea why Dumbledore wept. Cho was an utter 
bafflement. Voldemort played him like a fish on a line.

Research shows that adolescents aren't as good as adults at 
interpreting and understanding  emotions, and Harry displays 
this quality all through OOP. He notices more, yes, but he's not 
yet very good at interpreting what he sees. 

> Pippin:
 When Harry is in real  danger,  Snape has never hung back. 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> Hmmm. I can think of quite a few times, when Snape was 
stalling. (Just to make sure - in this context I understand stalling 
as not  doing something right away, correct?) Even in PS/SS, 
which is often  brought as the most unquestionable incident of 
Snape saving Harry,  he is unable (or does not want to if he is 
that powerful as often  argued)to stop the Quirrel curse right 
away. Yes, he is supposedly  muttering countercurse, while 
Harry is almost ready to fall from his  broom.<

Pippin:
By 'stalling' I mean failing to take appropriate action, which might 
or might not include "doing something right away." You are 
assuming that Snape could have done more to counter the 
curse. If so, that would make him a stronger wizard that 
Quirrellmort, and I see no justification for that in canon. 

Alla:
 >But regardless, if he  seriously thought that Trio's life was in 
danger, why exactly was he  hiding under the Cloack for THAT 
long?<

Because he was outnumbered by (as he supposed) Death 
Eaters, two to one and  there were three innocent (and possibly 
confunded) lives at stake. Voldemort and his servants can make 
people do things without being able to stop themselves. If the 
children were forced to attack Snape, he would not be able to 
fight back without harming them. Indeed, they overcame him 
handily. Caution was appropriate, wouldn't you agree?
.

Pippin