In Defense of Snape (long.)

[Amanda]

No: HPFGUIDX 122766


> "Amanda Geist" <editor at t...> wrote:
> 
> > Harry knew perfectly well that Snape
> > had put those memories in the
> > Pensieve to keep Harry from seeing them. 

Eggplant: 
> And that , especially in the context of the war game they call 
> Occlumency lessons,

"war game"? Could you clarify what you mean by that?

Eggplant:
> is exactly why it was Harry's duty to do all he 
> could to look into that Pensive.

Could you clarify that too? I don't follow this reasoning.

Eggplant:
> Sure Snape would get angry but 
> Harry has no reason to be sensitive to Snape's feelings and 
> everybody gets angry when you lose a battle.

Snape has, at Dumbledore's request, at least attempted to work with 
Harry for the greater good. Harry, in response to the same request 
and for the same greater good, has mostly refused to cooperate or 
really even focus on the task. It sounds to me like you are 
interpreting this situation solely on the personal levels of Snape 
and Harry, without reference to the background context of the 
overarching need compelling the interaction.

Eggplant:
> I said it before I'll 
> say it again, Snape was a coward to put those memories in the 
> Pensive when he didn't give Harry the same opportunity for his most 
> secret memories and Snape was a fool to let Harry see him do it. 

We only know part of one of the memories. We have no idea what the 
others were. There may well have been memories that, should Harry 
have witnessed them, would have endangered Snape in his role as a 
spy. Snape could easily have simply been taking advantage of this 
safeguard put on the process, to "add" a few of his personal memories 
as well. You jump to conclusions based on limited canon.

Amandageist:
> > he deliberately invaded Snape's privacy
> > for no other reason than curiosity. 
> > I believe any person so invaded would
> > react with rage 

The Plant:
> And that is exactly why Harry reacted with rage when Snape did the 
> exact same thing to him, and did it first. 

Ah, but Snape did it for a very good reason. I doubt Snape gives a 
rat's ass about Harry's memories, and would never have cast 
Legilimens on Harry without a need. [I may also point out that, 
whether he was truly applying himself or not, Harry returned to 
Snape's office week after week of his own free will to continue the 
lessons, even after he understood what they entailed. Placing oneself 
into a situation with foreknowledge is totally different from being 
violated without warning.]

I totally understand Harry's reaction, just as I understand Snape's. 
But to use a similarity of reaction to equate Snape's *motive* with 
Harry's is specious.

~Amanda