Would an "O" for Harry vindicate Snape?

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 131463

Okay, here's yet more grist for the "abusive Snape" mill.  Would an
"O" for Harry on the OWLS vindicate Snape's teaching methods?

I hold that it would not.  Abuse is never justified -- EVER.  And
behavior and teaching methods such as Snape's are never justified --
EVER.  The effectiveness of them, if they are effective, is no defense
or vindication whatsoever.  Snape would still be absolutely in the
wrong to employ such methods, and Dumbledore would still be absolutely
in the wrong to allow them.

Let the argument commence.  Chuckle.


Lupinlore

P.S.  For the record, I don't think Harry will get an "O" but I would
not be shocked if he did (it's the easiest way for JKR to get him into
Advanced Potions, after all, and there is plentiful precedent in
fanfic).  I actually think that the results we see in HBP will be
murky and mixed.  Hermione will get an "O" of course.  Harry I suspect
will get an "E," -- i.e. better than he thought but not up to "O"
standards.  I think Ron will probably do somewhat worse than Harry. 
Neville I think will pass, much to his surprise, but with a "low
pass," -- although I would not be terribly surprised if he failed. 
Thus I suspect that picture will provide plentiful fuel for the
arguments all around -- i.e. Harry will do better than he thought but
probably not as well as he could, Hermione will get an "O" despite the
teaching methods used, and Neville will still be evidence that Snape
needs to be drug out and hanged.