Draco's anger (was Snape and Occlumency.

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 121861


Carol provided canon:
>  
> "Malfoy glanced around -Harry knew he was checking for 
> signs of teachers -then he looked back at Harry and said in a 
> low voice, 'You're dead, Potter.' [.]  'You're going to pay,'
> said Malloy in a voice barely louder than a whisper. 'I'm 
> going to make you pay for what you've done to my father.'" 
>  
> Then Harry said Malfoy's father was a scumbag, a perfectly
> true statement, the man is a scumbag. Back to the book:
>  
> "Malfoy's hand flew towards his wand, but Harry was too quick 
> for him; he had drawn his own wand before Malfoy's fingers had 
> even entered the pocket of his robes."

Eggplant replied:  
> And that's when Snape showed up proving once and for all 
> that he is a very small man.

Potioncat:
I think JKR went out of her way to show that Snape was not there 
when the conversation started and only came out of the dungeon as 
Harry was drawing his wand. 

Snape may have had good reason to suspect Malfoy started it. He may 
have had good reason to think Potter started it.  But it's in 
character for him to punish the Gryffindor student, not the 
Slytherin.  We also do not know what would have happened if 
McGonagall hadn't come in.  He could have sent them ont their way, 
with a warning about fighting. He could have sent Harry to bed 
without supper. At any rate, by this time, what's 10 little points? 
It isn't detention.

I think he was breaking up a fight and protecting Harry and Draco 
from each other.  I don't think he was harrassing Harry.


> (not attributed)(I think Carol)
> > this is the WW, and the rules don't change if
> > you've lost a godparent.
 
> 
> Where in the world did you get that idea?

Potioncat:
If that was my post or if it was Carol's (we made similar points 
sometimes it's hard to tell us apart.) the gist was that to 
McGonagall the rules are the same and she doesn't excuse the 
behavior because of the grief.  She didn't cut the Weasleys or Harry 
any slack when Draco insulted their mothers.  She isn't going to 
permit fighting now.
> 

Eggplant:
> Boy that's not how I read it! Snape showed genuine respect toward 
> McGonagall, perhaps even a little fear, but I detected not one 
drop of affection.

Potioncat:
I think this is one of those cases where our own opinion of the 
characters colors how we perceive it. And at this point in the story 
it's up for interpretation (which is my way of saying either of us 
may be right about it)
> 

(not attributed)(Carol?)
> > *herself* deducts the ten points for Harry's misbehavior
 
> Eggplant:
> She was trying not to embarrass Snape, McGonagall has a thing 
about  criticizing other professors in front of students.  
Personally I  don't thing Snape deserves such consideration. 

Potioncat:
No she doesn't.  She says she shouldn't speak ill of a staff 
members, but she lets her opinion show and she drops enough hints 
for most students to know what she thinks.(Think Christmas dinner 
with Trelawney)  And she's countered Snape's punishment before, in 
front of Harry.  (CoS when Mrs. Norris was petrified.) 


I know Snape is a real jerk.  I don't argue that.  But I don't think 
he was torturing Harry in this scene.
Potioncat