Simple!Snape? (was: Draco, Snape and Others: Castles in the air?)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 124862


<SNIP>
>  
> 
> SSSusan:
> If these are the two missing pieces which explain everything, then I 
> have another question to add to those of Neri's (to which you 
> already responded).  It's a very old question, one which has been 
> asked here by me and others many times, but I'm not positive your 
> two missing pieces quite explain it.
> 
> Why does Snape, especially after he *knows* Voldy has indeed 
> returned, NOT do everything in his power to ensure that Harry is 
> learning everything he can about how to defeat Voldemort?
> 
> You said that:  1) Snape believes Voldy's insane & bent on 
> destroying the WW; and 2) Snape is committed to bringing down Voldy 
> while preserving his own life.
> 
> Unless you believe that Snape does NOT know Harry is *the* key, 
> *the* one person who is capable of bringing Voldy down and saving 
> the WW (and, hence, Snape), then why does Snape not go out of his 
> way to teach Harry EVERYTHING he can -- about Potions, about 
> Occlumency, about what he knows of Voldemort's characture, nature, 
> tactics, goals, etc.??
> 
> Because I don't see that he's done this.  In fact, his teaching 
> style and interaction style with Harry have, in fact, contributed to 
> Harry's shutting down, acting surly, not trying, and not trusting 
> *Professor* Snape.  If Snape was hell-bent on getting Harry ready to 
> bring down Voldy, wouldn't he ask himself, "Is what I'm doing 
> working?  Is it enough?"
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan

I don't think he has done this, either, Susan.  I tend to think that
Snape DOESN'T know all the prophecy, or maybe anything except that
their IS a prophecy.  Perhaps the apparent contradiction in Snape's
behavior could be explained as follows:

1) Snape is primarily interested in self-preservation, and believes
that bringing down Voldemort is a must for that;

2) He knows that their is a prophecy about Harry and Voldy;

3) He does not know the contents of said prophecy.  Voldy might very
well feel it too dangerous to let his DEs know that Harry is the one
with the power to defeat him, and Dumbledore might treat this
information as privileged just as he treats as privileged the reason
he trusts Snape, so...

4) Snape probably assumes the prophecy is about something that Harry
will or that Voldy will do to Harry.  He probably thinks, however,
that this is only a piece of the puzzle leading to the defeat of
Voldemort.  Indeed, his contempt for James and Harry probably makes it
VERY difficult for him to believe that the boy could have anything
crucial to do with the defeat of the Dark Lord, which he believes will
be accomplished by the Order, and preferably by one Severus Snape;

5) So, he is contemptuous of Harry and doesn't want to have anything
to do with him, and resents having to teach him.  If, deep down, he
suspects that Harry MIGHT be important to the defeat of the Dark Lord,
this only fuels his anger.  How DARE that impudent boy be crucial to
the defeat of Voldemort?!  That honor belongs to more worthy people
than the son of James Potter!

6)  I suspect that the conversations between Snape and DD about Harry
are somewhat similar to the conversations Harry and DD have about
Snape.  To wit:

"That arrogant boy wouldn't practice!  He violated my pensieve...."
Snape snarled angrily.

"I am aware of it, Severus," Dumbledore answered tiredly. " I have
already said it was a mistake not to teach Harry myself."

"He was ready to hex Malfoy in the entranceway!"

"Now, Severus," Dumbledore said mildly, "you know very well that Harry
has no reason to love Draco Malfoy.  And Mr. Malfoy is enraged at the
revelations about his father.  Harry was, after all, defending himself."

"Potter...."

"MISTER Potter, Severus," Dumbledore corrected.

"He is going to be the death of us all!  Why do you insist..."

"I have every faith in Harry," Dumbledore replied quietly.  "But I
forgot, an old man's mistake, what it is to be young and frustrated."

7)  Given that scenario, which I think is a rather probable one,
wouldn't Snape constantly feel angry, confused, and resentful?

Lupinlore