[HPforGrownups] Re: In Defense of Snape (long)

[TrekkieGrrrl]

No: HPFGUIDX 122695

>>>Betsy
>>But if Snape had just said "get out," Harry wouldn't have heard him
> because he had his nose *buried* in Snape's private memories!!!  I
> honestly think Snape was *very* controlled in his treatment of
> Harry.  And seriously, if Snape had "inner DE" issues - Harry
> would've had far deeper things to worry about then a bruised arm.<
>
>>>Alla:
>>Well, I am trying to think better thoughts, right? So, I am thinking
> that his anger does not show  in a form of doing say Crucio! on his
> students. I am specificaly talking about his inability to control his
> anger.<
>
> Betsy:
> See, I think Snape *did* control his anger.  He was furious, but he
> got Harry out of the room before he did anything to him.  That, to
> me, shows control.

Trekkiegrrrl:
Indeed did Snape show tremendous control here. If I had found anybody 
snooping in my private diaries (or memories, given that was a possibility) I 
would have gone absolutely postal. But then, you may argue, I too have an 
anger management problem, except for the fact that I normally manage very 
well *G* I do have a volatile temper though and given that Snape apparently 
has that too, I'd say he managed fantasticaly well in that situation. He got 
Potter out before he REALLY hurt him. And a bruised arm? Boo-hoo. He should 
be glad it wasn't broken IMO. And the glass of cockroaches was thrown ABOVE 
his head, NOT intended to hit. Like when someone (mostly in movies and 
cartoons) takes a pile of plates and smashes them into the floor in fury... 
Not intended to HARM anyone, but a way to let out steam.

>
>>>Betsy:
>>It was *entirely* Harry's fault that Snape got angry.  There was
> absolutely no excuse for Harry's behavior, and though I still like
> Harry, I was disappointed with him.<
>
>>>Alla:
>>Well, all of us had dissapointments in one or another character's
> behaviour in OOP. Snape for example was my biggest disapointment of
> OOP, especially by careless disregard of Dumbledore's orders to teach
> Harry, IF he is on the Light side.
>>Harry's act, no matter how wrong it was, I felt was final response
> to the adults leaving him in the Dark all year, so while I did not
> like what he did, I was not dissappointed, I understood why he did
> and do think that he will not do something like that again.<
>
> Betsy:
> Except that Harry is always snooping around and poking his nose into
> things.  This isn't the first time he's had his head in someone elses
> pensieve.  I do agree that he's been kept in the dark too much, and I
> *hope* he'll develop some empathy and respect for other people.
>
> The reason I haven't totally given up on Harry is that Snape is a
> special case, and Harry's dislike and lack of respect for Snape has
> been brought about by Snape's own behavior.  But Snape is totally in
> his right to be furious at Harry for snooping.

TrekkieGrrrl:
I was furious with Harry during all those Occlumency lessons. I don't CARE 
if he "understood" the reason for them. The mere fact that Dumbledore - of 
all people - told him they were important ought to be enough. Harry was 
behaving very much like a spoiled child in those classes, no doubt enhancing 
Snape's view of him AS a spoiled brat. And since Snape doesn't cope well 
with dunderheads in the first place, I can surely understand his frustration 
and anger when he finds out that Harry hasn't even been practising.

YES, it would have been a VERY good idea if Dumbledore had told Harry WHY 
the Occlumency lessons were so important, and why it was imperative that he 
stopped having that dream. But at that point I doubt it would have mattered 
much. Harry was determined to see what was behind that door in his dream, 
and thereby disregarded any sane thought about the purpose of the dream. As 
far as I remember, Harry knew the dream was sent to him, so he should have 
been vary of why. But Harry was acting selfish - not for the first time - 
and decided not to take the Occlumency seriously, blaming it more or less on 
the pain in his scar and on Snape, which he can't stand (and yes, he has 
valid reasons for dislikeng Snape of course, I'm not putting white fluffy 
wings and a halo on Snape in any way, but the fact remains that Snape IS the 
only one who can help him in this case.)

I wonder why people in general aren't blaming Dumbledore more than they are. 
To me, he's totally the Puppetmaster!Dumbledore. Pulling strings and making 
everybody jump to his will. Without even telling them why. Sorry but I just 
don't like manipulating people.

~TrekkieGrrrl