Does Snape hate Harry?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 145472

> >>KJ:
> This whole hate thing bothers me as well. The dichotomy of Snape's 
> character makes very litle sense to me. On the one hand he is a   
> young powerful, talented and knowledgeable wizard. How could he   
> have accomplished so much in  eleven years, if we look at PS/SS,   
> if he is the vindictive, vengeful, juvenile, immature wizard we    
> have all come to know. How could he be a successful Legilimens if 
> he is unable to control his emotions. He isn't getting past       
> Voldemort by luck.  Why would Dumbledore have the trust he does in 
> a wizard with the personality defects shown by Snape.

Betsy Hp:
What a wonderful Christmas gift, Kathryn -- a chance to expound on 
the inimitable Professor Snape!  My cup runneth over. <g>

I think it's important to realize that Snape is an *extremely* 
gifted Legilimens.  He's had to be to successfully pull the wool 
over Voldemort's eyes. (I'm not going to bother with OFH or ESE 
Snape, since I think most folks know they're not my cup of tea.  So 
assume a DDM interpretation throughout.)  JKR told us that an 
ability to detach or repress your emotions is vital to practicing 
Legilimes (backing up Snape's own instructions to Harry).  So I 
think it's safe to assume Snape represses.  Actually, I think 
understanding Snape is impossible without understanding that aspect 
of him.

But, there is one place where Snape's talent at repression fails, 
and that's the Marauders.  Every single time we see him completely 
blow his top, the Marauders are somehow involved.  And Harry, with 
his strong link to the Marauders, is usually along to see the 
explosion.  I'm quite sure Dumbledore is aware of Snape's weak spot 
with the Marauders.  After all, he was there when that particular 
button was installed.  He may *underestimate* it's ability to 
completely throw Snape, but he certainly knows of its existence.  
(Just as I think Dumbledore is aware of Harry's weakness regarding 
Snape.)

> >>KJ:
> Most of his skills and talents were kept hidden until the fifth   
> and sixth books to encourage readers to believe that he was       
> ineffective and bitter as a result. Will there be some other skill 
> or talent, we will see in the seventh book.

Betsy Hp:
I have a feeling we have all of the hints of Snape's skills right 
now.  I doubt JKR will come up with something completely new for 
book 7.  But I also think we've had hints of Snape's prowess 
throughout the books.  I mean, it doesn't come *completely* out of 
left field that Snape is so gifted at DADA. (Frankly, I was 
surprised that Snape wasn't the inventor of Wolfsbane.)  But JKR has 
done a good job at undermining the hints she's given.  

Lupin is an especially good tool for that.  His bit about Snape 
being upset about the Order of Merlin is a perfect example.  When 
has Snape ever looked like he was seeking a spot-light?  But Harry 
trusts Lupin, we trust Lupin, so we take him at his word.  However, 
to my mind it makes more sense that Snape is disappointed that not 
only did Sirius get away, but that he was never guilty in the first 
place.  It must have been very comforting to think that Sirius 
really *was* rotten to the core and finally all the WW knew it.  (I 
think his disappointment is on par with the disappointment several 
listies will feel if it turns out that Snape's been a good guy all 
along. <g>)

> >>KJ:
> Has his behaviour to Harry and Neville been specifically to       
> provide memories to show Voldemort on his return?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
With Neville, I think Snape has just been a rather strict and scary 
teacher.  I don't think Snape was motivated by anything other than a 
desire to force the requisite Potions knowledge into Neville's 
head.  I know his methodology leaves a lot of listies crying abuse, 
but frankly, I don't think his method is all that far removed from 
McGonagall's.

Now, the scene just before Neville faces his boggart, with Snape 
badmouthing Neville to Lupin *was* out of line.  Horribly so.  But I 
personally think that had more to do with Lupin than Neville.  Snape 
had apparently forgotten Lupin was bringing his class into the 
staffroom, and he lashed out.  Absolutely it was childish, but 
again, the behavior had a Marauder at its core.  (Not at all 
comforting for poor Neville, I realize.)

> >>KJ:
> It seems as if we have two completely different Snapes here.

Betsy Hp:
I think we do.  We have Harry's version of Snape, where all of his 
bad behavior is enlarged, and we have the real Snape.  The one 
Dumbledore knows, and the one Harry needs to see, I think, before 
the seventh book ends.

Betsy Hp