In Defense of Snape (long)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 122294


Geoff:
>>> <snip of canon> 
Fear is not a way to establish a satisfactory working relationship 
with a class. Harry was not being cheeky; he spoke quietly and was 
trying to get Snape to look at Hermione - and also get him off his 
back. In the later incident, the blame should have been apportioned 
between Seamus and Neville who were the "team". I expect if Harry and 
Ron had tried to help these two, Snape would have bounced them for 
interfering. They were on a hiding to nothing.<<<
 
Betsy replied:
> Oh, I agree that Snape was setting Harry up for failure.  I just 
> think there was a reason for the behavior as I state above ["to 
> make the correct impression on Draco Malfoy. Snape is a spy"]. 


SSSusan:
Seems kind of a dumb thing to do, though, doesn't it?  Set Harry up 
for failure from the beginning?  I mean, you're arguing that Snape is 
one of the Good Guys, one who never wants to see Voldy return, one 
who wants him eliminated if he does return?  Then wouldn't he WANT 
Harry Potter -- the kid who vanquished Voldy the first time, the only 
one who apparently has a chance to beat him for good -- to learn? 

Or are you thinking that at this point Snape knows nothing about 
Harry's likely role in any future Voldycide?  Or that he doesn't 
believe Voldy will return?  It seems to me that that *can't* be your 
point; otherwise, why would Snape have to maintain a cover w/ the DE 
kids?  If he isn't in on the possibility that Voldy's still hanging 
around out there, trying to make a comeback, then Snape wouldn't have 
to maintain any cover or worry about what the DE kids thought of him, 
would he?

IMO (expressed often here), if Snape is really one of DD's Good Guys, 
future Order material, then he's likely in the know about any Voldy 
news and would know of Harry's importance.  He owes it to The Effort 
To Eliminate Voldy to do his best to make sure Harry learns.  


Betsy:
> I'm not trying to argue that Snape is the best teacher at Hogwarts, 
> but he is one of the better ones.  

SSSusan:
And I agree that Snape really knows his stuff, that he is effective 
in getting many of the students to really pay attention, to work 
hard, to work to high standards, and, likely, to achieve high marks 
on OWLS.  But his viciousness with Harry & Neville -- the only two 
potential Prophecy Boys -- seems to me to be shooting The Order's 
mission in the foot.

Siriusly Snapey Susan