Snape, Harry and DE Children

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 126359


Saieditor wrote:
 
<SNIP>

A larger part of my public morality reflection focuses on Snape and 
his treatment of Harry.
 
It is my contention that Snape is continuing a feud or quarrel with 
the dead through a child of the dead. This in any dispensation is 
the stuff of meaness and anti social personality. A most confusing 
man, Snape. 


Alla:

Sorry for not replying to your post earlier. I absolutely agree with 
you that Snape continues his quarrel with a dead man through his son.


Saieditor:
Recently re-reading OOP, I see that Snape does not admit 
feeling and emotion as a means of motivation, defense nor 
behaviour.  (see Occulmency lessons) Snape only values the 
supression of feeling and emotion. He is an extraordinarily complex 
character, of mixed loyalties and perverse when it suits him, and 
self protective when it suits him. For example, would he continue to 
treat Harry's Potions lessons and samples thus presented as he does 
in front of McGonagall or Dumbledore? I think not; he would put on a 
face and avoid detection of his vendetta with James Potter through 
Harry. 

IF this is true, then we must assume that beneath the layers of ice 
and hostility, history and loyalties, there is a moral faculty 
within Snape which is yet to emerge.  I would point to the 
Veritaserum episode in Umbridge's Office as an example of Snape's 
loyalty to the Order of Phoenix, rather than Snape deflecting 
Umbridge away from Harry's knowledge for reasons of immoral 
behaviour by a [Head Teacher] witch or wizard. 


Alla:

Hmmm. I go back and forth on whether Snape is a complex character or 
not. For the most part I tend to agree with Nora Renka - that Snape 
seems to be complex because we don't know the motivations behind his 
actions. When his motivations will be revealed, I believe that much 
of his complexity will dissappear. (I hope I did not change Nora's 
argument)

I was intrigued by your question whether Snape will treat Harry the 
same in front of Minerva or Albus. I assume you mean if they were to 
sit in on one of his lessons, right? Some kind of inspection? 
Actually, I will give Snape more points if he WILL indeed treat Harry 
the same, because then at least I will know that he is honest in not 
being able to distinguish between two Potters. If he starts treating 
Harry nicely in front of Albus, I can only call him a  hyppocrite, 
who is scared enough of his boss to stop the bullying in front of 
him, but continues doing so when nobody is there to protect he 
students.

And yes, for the most part I agree that Snape is loyal to the Light.

JMO,

Alla.