McGonagall and Lupin's reaction to Harry's story (and Snape's DE past)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 138622

> CathyD:
> I can't speak for Carol but I am not forgetting it at all.  I'm 
quite certain McGonagall knew Snape's past.  She'd been a teacher at 
Hogwarts for 40 years.  While she wasn't a member of the Order the 
first time, I'm certain she could read the papers, and must have at 
least heard the outcome of some of the trials in which Snape's name 
was mentioned in connection with Dumbledore. 


Alla:

Except Snape's trial may not have been mentioned in the papers. I 
think this was the closed one and Rita Skeeter was on the other one, 
so I agree with Nora - Minerva may have not known, considering that 
DD does not give much information, I doubt that he would have shared 
this bit.


CathyD:
 > Trusting someone on another's say-so will only get you so far.  
McGonagall and Snape had a history of 15 years working together as 
teachers and Heads of House.  She certainly should have trusted 
Snape for her own reasons by then, as well as for Dumbledore's 
judgement.  She certainly didn't seem to think Snape's last set of 
detentions for Harry was out of line.  


Alla:

Well, it appears she did NOT have her own reasons to trust Snape 
after so many years, no? Looks like it was only Albus' word after 
all. And we don't know what she thought in general of Snape's 
teaching tactics towards HArry and Neville. Who knows, maybe she 
objected vigorously to Dumbledore every time she thought Snape was 
out of line, but Albus just waived her off.



CathyD:
Then suddenly everything she *knows* about him is thrown away on the 
say-so of a 16 year old boy who, in all honesty, does not have the 
best track record for telling the truth...or for telling it without 
gloss, at least...and who is well known for his animosity towards 
Snape.


Alla:

But he DID tell the truth in what matters - Snape killed Dumbledore. 
THAT action would certainly be enough for her to mistrust Snape :-)
So, I would say animosity is wel justified.

Personally, I am just happy that Harry is not alone in that 
animosity anymore. :-)

JMO,
Alla