Snape and Harry again.

[Kelsey Dangelo]

No: HPFGUIDX 114030

Kethryn:

> I don't think that when Harry told him that Padfoot was in trouble, Snape
> had any options or any time to think of other options.  <snip>  Or, in other
> words, Snape had no choice because he had no time to prepare a ready 
> comeback.  Although why on earth the OotP did not have a set of prearranged 
> signals worked out is totally beyond me...the key to winning any war or 
> confrontation is communication after all...and even DD admits, in the end, 
> that by keeping Harry in the dark, he essentially caused Sirius' death.

> Even though Snape loathes Sirius (although that may be too strong a word), 
> I don't think that he would want to see him dead.  Snape is smart enough to 
> guess what that would do to Harry and Snape bloody well knows how important 
> Harry is to the Order and to the rest of the wizarding world.  He is a 
> teacher after all.  No one can be a teacher and do the job for as long as 
> he has without truly loving his work and that includes at least being able 
> to tolerate your students, not hate them.
<snip> 


Kelsey:

Hi. I'm also new here (little self conscious).

I agree with Kethryn. Snape probably didn't have time to think of something clever to say (or maybe he thought that what he said was clever enough) to put Harry at ease. Here are some other possibilities as to why Snape didn't make it clear to Harry that he was going to take care of the Sirius issue:

1. As soon as he heard that Sirius was in trouble, he began to fight an internal battle. He didn't know what or if he was going to do anything to save Sirius. Wouldn't it have been totally out of Snape's character if he just winked at Harry and ran off to save Sirius? After all the fighting between Sirius and Severus, I would think that he'd have a moment's hesitation before doing anything. Also, he had just recently been forced to relive his worst memory (of being tormented by the Marauders) with Harry knowing all about it. When Harry screams for Snape's help, Snape is caught off-guard, fighting between his responsibilities to the Order and his hatred of Sirius.

2. It was another chance to put Harry through emotional torture. Snape (though I love him dearly) is sadistic towards Harry. He likes to make Harry feel unsure and powerless (look at the Shrieking Shack scene in POA and the occlumency lessons). Even though Snape knows perfectly well that he'll do something to help Harry, he wants to constantly remind Harry that he's just a kid. Snape almost seems to be competing with Harry for heroism and, consequently, Dumbledore's attention. The occlumency lessons are an example, when Snape says that it's not Harry's job to find out what Voldemort is doing, then smiles when Harry says that it's Snape's job. It's almost like sibling rivalry (maybe going back to the James days) when he wants Harry to get into trouble and is angry that Dumbledore lets him get away with everything.

Although I, like Harry, want someone to blame for Sirius' death, I have to say that Snape did everything possible to save them. After all, it was Harry that was in the real danger at that point by walking into a trap. Snape's alerting the Order caused Sirius to go after Harry to save him from the DEs. If anything, Snape saved Harry's life at the expense of Sirius', but I don't think that he is to blame. How could he have predicted all of that at that very short moment, while also dealing with an internal battle and his own sadistic nature? Fate is complicated.

I love "He is a teacher after all.  No one can be a teacher and do the job for as long as he has without truly loving his work and that includes at least being able to tolerate your students, not hate them." I have always thought this about Snape. I think that he really does enjoy his job and his students. In COS, he emotionally grabs the back of a chair when he hears that Ginny Weasley is in danger of being killed. He's always saving Harry's tail, even if he acts like he doesn't want to. Even when he's cruel or mean, he seems to be alerting his students to a greater danger (for instance, assigning the werewolf essay to warn them about Lupin). Snape likes his students, the big softy.

Kelsey, Ravenclaw, who would love to see Snape receive a Teacher of the Year award.