The length of the Pensieve Scene

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 116825


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" <delwynmarch at y...>
wrote:
> 
> Thanks Steve for the thoughtful answer (no pun intended).
> 
> Steve wrote :
> "When Snape withdrew his memory of that specific event, it may have
> been critically important to his memory to include the 'I was just
> minding my own business' part. That's not so relavant to what Harry
> might see, but it's very relavant to Snape's emotions surrounding 
> the event."


> Del replies :
> This in turn begs the question : *why* was it relevant ? ... Snape
> took his memories away before starting the lessons, and then put 
> them back at the end.... The only point seemed to be preventing 
> Harry from seeing them, .... So why would it be important that the 
> scene contains the "I was just minding my own business part", ... ?
> 
> Unless of course :
> 
> 1. He did leave some memories in the Pensieve for further study, ...
> 
> 2. He intended Harry to see that memory, ...
> 
> Or maybe this memory was so loaded emotionally that he couldn't
> pinpoint the actual critical element, and couldn't help but put the
> whole package with it. So much for controlling his emotions.
> 
> Hum, seems like your answer only sparked more questions ...,
> Steve :-) Sorry !
> 
> Del

bboyminn:

The best part about you, Del, is that you never make it easy.

I think we are dealing with two separate but related things. At the
top is Snape's intellectual decision to hide that particular memory.
Next is Snape's own SUBCONSCIOUS attachment to that memory. 

In his intellect, he wants to hide his humiliation from Harry, but
subconsciously he can't detach himself from his emotions about being a
'victim'. In order to be a 'victim' he has to be innocent, minding his
own business, and subjected to an /unprovoked/ attack. 

We could speculate that there were many other occassions when Snape
was the attacker; when he attacked James without provocation. But
subconsciously those instances, which by the way, he probably also
hide in the pensieve, don't re-enforce his 'I didn't to anything to
them' point of view. 

In addition, in the moment he selected that particular memory, his
thoughts were probably also on Harry, and that re-enforced is
subconsious emotional desire to make sure the /whole story/ was told.
I think it's quite impossible for Snape to recall this event without
the 'I'm innocent' part.

So, it's intellect that drives the selection of that memory, but it is
subconscious emotional attachment to the event that drives the size of
memory. 

Of course, I speculate.

Steve/bboyminn (was bboy_mn)