Snape and Sirius (was: CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: Chapter Thirty seven)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 124089


>>Cleverwitch:
>That being ranted, now about Snape. Although Dumbledore tells Harry 
that Snape told Sirius to stay put, and although Sirius probably 
would have insisted on joining the other Order members in trying to 
save Harry anyway, I hold Snape at least partly responsible. He 
earlier called Sirius a coward and taunted him for "hiding in his 
mother's house" while others risked their lives. Telling Sirius to 
stay now, not to go to the ministry, would, in my humble (not!) 
opinion still have raised the echo of those unkind words uttered at 
Christmas, even if Snape were sincere and did not sneer or suggest 
this time that staying home was not being cowardly. And we have 
no "canon" (I hate that word!), no "textual evidence" (better) to 
indicate HOW he advised Sirius to stay. I can easily hear Snape 
continuing to taunt Sirius, albeit subtly, while advising him to wait 
for Dumbledore--something like, "Someone needs to stay here, to tell 
Dumbledore what has happened. Why don't YOU do that, Black? Since 
staying put seems to be what you do best, and I know you like to feel 
useful. Going to the ministry will be dangerous; someone might 
get...hurt. We wouldn't want that person to be...you, would we?"<

Betsy:
Doesn't give Sirius much credit though, does it?  I don't know that 
Sirius is quite so easily manipulated.  Though I also doubt much 
could keep him safely tucked away while Harry is in danger.  I think 
that even if Lupin had been the one to tell Sirius to stay put, 
Sirius would have ignored him.

Not that I doubt Snape wouldn't have rubbed Sirius the wrong way.  I 
think with those two, the other man *breathing* would have rubbed the 
wrong way.  I just don't think it was calculated on Snape's part.

>>vmonte:
>That's exactly how Snape told Sirius I bet. 
<snip of Agatha Christie example I *really* want to read now! <g>)
>Iago from Othello is also like this.<

Betsy:
I've seen this comparison made before - Snape = Iago, but it doesn't 
work for me.  Wasn't Iago well liked by Othello and those he 
manipulated?  Both Harry and Sirius dislike Snape and distrust him.  
(Of course, it's been a while since I've read Othello - so I could be 
wrong! <g>)

Betsy