Is Snape a "rules man"? (was: Snape and Raistlin Majere)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 126454


SSSusan:
> but I see Snape as actually having a *very* high regard for rules, 
> indeed.  

Alla:
> In general, I tend to agree with you that Snape has high regard 
> for rules, EXCEPT when his emotions get the best of him. 
> For example , I seriously doubt that Dumbledore ordered Snape to 
> let it slip about Remus' condition.
> Not really want to go there again, but I also don't believe that 
> Dumbledore ordered Snape to stop Occlumency the way he did.


SSSusan:
I'm not sure the teaching of Occlumency itself was an *order*, but 
rather a request?  (Though you're right that of course DD did not 
order Snape to stop the lessons.)  I think you're right about strong 
emotion being the one thing which might get in the way of Snape's 
following rules.  But in the Occlumency instance, I'd add that 
*Harry Potter* broke the rules by snooping in the Pensieve, quite 
possibly making it wholly justifiable (in Snape's own mind) to 
discontinue the lessons.

Was it breaking a *rule* to tell that Lupin was a werewolf?  I'm not 
sure.  Perhaps.  I don't think we know that DD forbade it, though 
it's likely that he did.  

Even so, I'm just not convinced these examples negate my inclination 
to describe Snape as a rules man.  

I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this, either pro or con.

Siriusly Snapey Susan