CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 29, Career Advice

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 116677


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman"
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:
> 
> Carol:
> > Snape's reaction does not prove that he broke the vial, only that 
> > he's glad it was broken. 
> 
> SSSusan:
> True, there's no proof.  But it's written this way for a reason, 
> imo!  (See below.)
> 
> 
> Carol:
> > Harry is furious, to be sure, but even he does not accuse Snape of
> > breaking the vial. 
> 
> SSSusan:
> But the REASON he didn't accuse him is the key, isn't it?  Here's 
> what I wrote previously:
> 
> >>>The reason is that we're seeing this from Harry's POV as
> usual. HARRY isn't supposed to know for certain that Snape broke it--
> that way he can't accuse him or report him! That Snape's a smart
> guy! IMO, he saw what Hermione was doing, saw that Harry's back was
> turned, made a quick decision to "repay" Potter for the Pensieve
> incident. Perfect! Potter will "know" from the look on his face and
> the "Whoops" but he won't be able to DO anything about it because he
> didn't see it directly. We're supposed to feel it the way Harry felt
> it--frustration and all, I think.<<<
> 
> You believe Snape is smart.  Hopefully you also agree that he can be 
> a royal asshole, esp. where Harry & Neville are concerned.  Add to 
> that that, in this case, he is *justifiably* angry with Harry for 
> having looked in the pensieve.  Doesn't 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 pretty clearly 
> here?  Of coure there are alternate possibilities, but what's 
> likeliest?  What fits best?
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan

Carol:
Sorry, SSS. I just can't see him *deliberately* breaking the vial. I
think it slipped out of Harry's fingers and he took advantage of the
situation. I also think that JKR set up the scene to make it look *to
the reader* as if Snape broke it. But Harry never makes that
accusation even in thought, and if it had happened, surely Hermione
would have complained *to Harry* and *for Harry* (because he won't
speak for himself) about the unfairness. Instead, she takes the blame
on herself. 

IMO, it's just like the turban and scar incident in SS/PS where it
looks as if Snape is responsible but he isn't. I'm not saying that
Snape isn't taking malicious pleasure in the broken vial and the
resulting zero; obviously he is. And I agree that he's justifiably
angry with Harry over the Pensieve incident, but he's obviously cooled
off to the point of giving him the silent treatment throughout the
class--good plan for both their sakes. I don't think he would
deliberately seek petty revenge despite his anger--but when the chance
to gloat, and to administer what he probably sees as a just punishment
(no potion, no mark) comes, he takes advantage, and gladly.

Since neither of us can prove anything, thanks to the POV, maybe we
should agree to disagree?

Carol