The length of the Pensieve Scene

[ms_luna_knows]

No: HPFGUIDX 116879


Del wrote:
> My question is: why is the scene described in Snape's Worst Memory so long ?
> It starts *way* before what seems to be the actual event of importance starts. If what matters is the fight between Snape, Sirius and James, what's the need for that long time between the beginning of the memory and the fight?

Hannah:
> Probably the reason is just that JKR wanted us to get a nice long clip of the Marauders, and to 'ease us into' the scene 
<snip> 
> The length of memory must have got to do with how memories are removed before addition to the pensieve. I see it as something like this; Snape thinks about which memories he doesn't want Potter to see, and immediately the 'pantsing' comes to mind.  Shuddering even at the memory of the humiliation, he places his wand against his head and thinks 'oh yes, it was after our DADA OWL.'  So his brain accesses 'end of DADA OWL' and the memory is transferred from there on, presumably up until the end of the incident (or maybe of a *worse* incident that followed).
> Saying that, I like the idea that maybe we are missing something significant in that pensieve scene.  It's just the sort of thing JKR would do....

Great question Del, and I believe Hannah is on the right track with her answer.  But one thing that came out of the penseive scene that is being overlooked; Harry's realisation that is father isn't "perfect".  He had for so long been of the opinion that his father was this "saintly" great guy, that everyone loved, that seeing him do something so horrible (maybe even 'human'?) was quite a blow to Harry's center.  He was very confused after viewing the pantsing that he couldn't carry on as usual.  My opinion is that JKR made the 
scene as long as it is for Harry's and the readers benefit, to show James and Lily and the rest of their "gang" in another light,  with the excuse of the
pantsing that Hannah referenced above.
 
Ms. Luna --realising how very late in the thread she is..hoping not too late!  :-)