Pensieves and other magic (wasRe: HBP (Snape's) old school textbook:

[spotsgal]

No: HPFGUIDX 137170

Kathy:
> I think that Snape is particularly ashamed of the memory of 
> calling Lily a "Mudblood" and has chosen to hide it from Harry.

Christina:
I agree that Snape is particularly ashamed of calling Lily a
"Mudblood," but I don't see why he would be so careful about hiding it
from Harry.  I really don't think Harry would be all that shocked to
hear "Mudblood" come from Snape's mouth, and he already dislikes Snape
so much already that I doubt that the knowledge that he called his mom
dirty names would have significantly increased that hatred.  Also,
Harry doesn't seem that bothered by it afterwards, fixating instead on
James (as he always does).

> Kathy writes:
> He doesn't object to Harry seeing unfortunate memories from his 
> childhood and youth...<snip>

Christina:
I think he does.  When Snape pushes Harry out of his head, he's white
and shaking.  Harry even remarks on the "loathing in his eyes."  Snape
isn't physically hurting Harry like he does later on, but he's
definitely *not* pleased.  Also, in pushing Harry out of his head, his
"ENOUGH!" is in all caps, which Snape doesn't often revert to (he does
in the "Don't call me coward" line and at the end of PoA, both times
when he was extremely angry/upset)

Kathy:
> Snape was showing nervousness and fear when he accessed Harry's 
> memories of the Ministry door, and Voldemort talking to a Death 
> Eater because the connection might have been active. 

Christina:
Well, we don't really know how Snape acts when he's nervous or afraid,
because to be honest, I can't think of a single instance where he's
described that way (in any of the books).  When Snape realizes that
Harry has seen the DoM, Snape stands over Harry, "looking furious,"
and Harry remarks that "Snape seemed even angrier than he had done two
minutes before, when Harry had seen into his own memories."  I would
buy that scared!Snape manifests itself as angry!Snape, but why is
Snape scared?  Because he realizes that LV can put thoughts in Harry's
head?  Because he realizes that LV saw the thoughts that Harry broke
into?  Because he is angry that Harry isn't putting any effort into
Occlumency?  Also, just to note, Snape doesn't know that Harry dreamt
of Voldemort talking to the Death Eater.  Ron witnesses it and they
tell Hermione the next day, but Harry never mentions it to Snape.


Kathy:
> He must have been in a panic, which was displyed 
> as fury, but not so much that he did not immediately draw Harry's 
> attention (and ours) to the behaviour of the Marauders and away
from 
> Lily. 

Christina:
I see what you're saying, but the major immediate revelation of
"Snape's Worst Memory" *is* about the Marauders- it's that
Marauders:Snape is NOT Trio:Malfoy, like I think Harry (and most of
the readers) previously assumed.  And Snape *always* harps on James. 
Considering the fact that the last thing Harry sees when he gets
pulled out of the pensieve is James threatening to take off Snape's
pants (and that Snape takes every opportunity to talk badly about
James), I think it's natural that Snape's only comment about the
memory is about James.

Kathy:
> At no time was there mention of Lily.  Later, Harry focussed on the 
> behaviour of his father and Lily's relationship with his father. It 
> never crossed his mind to ask Sirius and Lupin why Lily defended 
> Snape.    

Christina:
Is there ever any mention of Lily?  We go five whole books before
anyone really says anything about who she was.  Harry always focuses
on his father.  He asks Sirius and Lupin about James because his
behavior in the pensieve is in contrast with the way Harry had
previously thought James acted.  Lily's behavior probably didn't seem
that odd to him, or his thoughts on his father overshadowed those on
his mother (as they usually do).  Harry has occasionally shown
curiousity about his father, but he has never asked about his mom. 
Harry's lack of curiousity about his mother has always seemed odd to
me- and just where are all of *Lily's* friends?  JKR has even said
that she was a popular girl, but so far only Slughorn has ever
commented on her.

Kathy:
> I believe that the memories which Voldemort can 
> never be allowed to see, Snape regreting his actions, possibly 
> trying to save Lily at GH (voice Harry heard), and confessing to 
> Dumbledore have been removed and are in Dumbledore's safe-keeping. 
> IMHO

Christina:
I might not agree with all of your specific examples, but I think your
theory is dead-on.  Snape is a master Occlumens, but why take risks? 
I think that there are definitely a couple of vials out there
somewhere with some *very* enlightening memories of Snape's inside of
them.  At the very least, I would think that Snape would remove
certain memories when he visits LV and then puts them back in his head
when he returns.


Christina