Admonishing Snape

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 129439

Over on Sugar Quill there has been a mini-discussion on the following
topic:  Have any of the adults ever admonished Snape for his attitude
toward Harry?  What do you all think?

My own inclination is to say we just don't know.  But there are
several possibilities.

One possibility is that they (probably Lupin, McGonagall, and I
suspect maybe even Dumbledore) have, and found out it does no good
whatsoever.  Now, some might find the idea of Snape holding out
against criticism from Dumbledore, et. al., far fetched.  But, Snape
has already refused to do his part for the Order once, when he broke
off the Occlumency lessons in OOTP. Lupin says he will talk to Snape
about it. We don't know that he ever did, but the evidence we have
about Lupin would indicate he probably did. And what did Snape do? Did
he say "Well, I see it is my duty to go forward with this regardless
of my personal feelings?" Excuse me while I guffaw. I am sure he
probably responded with "And who are you to tell me how to deal with
that arrogant boy, Lupin? I WILL NOT BE TOLD HOW TO CONDUCT LESSONS!"

It also seems likely that Dubmledore would have contacted Snape
personally, if at all possible.  If he didn't that would fly
completely in the face of what Dumbledore himself and others say was
his attitude in this matter. All evidence points to the idea that
Dumbledore would have been extremely upset at this turn of events (and
Lupin and Sirius say as much). Yet did Snape continue the lessons? No.
Did he say "Of course, headmaster, I realize that I must do what is
best for the Order even if I disagree with your policy?" No. Almost
certainly he said "I cannot deal with that arrogant brat, Headmaster!
I have done what I can and I cannot allow him to continue to disregard
my instructions! I am sorry but this is absolutely out of the question!"

Now, this line of thought goes, what on earth can Dumbledore do?
Technically he could say, "Do it or you're out of the Order!" Oh,
great. Now he's pissed off a man with a history of unstable behavior
and complete knowledge of the Order's workings, not to mention losing
whatever advantage Snape is bringing him. He could say "Do it or
you're fired!" And he gets the same result.

Why has he not forced Snape to act differently in Potions? Well, those
who argue this way would say, just how is he supposed to do that,
short of resorting to threats of firing Snape or kicking him out of
the Order? Snape knows very well that Dumbledore can't afford to do
that for numerous reasons. He could chide Severus, or remonstrate with
him. But once again, if Snape keeps saying that Harry is arrogant and
deserves to be punished, what can Dumbledore do since Snape knows the
Headmaster couldn't afford to carry through with threats even if he
made them? And if Snape says "I'm supposed to be trusted by the
Slytherins. How can I be NICE to the arrogant brat?" how is Dumbledore
supposed to answer?

I'm not really a fan of this explanation, but such behavior is
perfectly in keeping with Snape's personality, and well within the
realm of the believable. It happens all the time in businesses and
offices and even the military when a supposed subordinate senses an
advantage over a superior. In short, according to this line of
thought, Snape has the high cards and is Slytherin enough to know it.
 Dumbledore can't afford to do more than make disapproving noises,
because he can't afford to back up any threats.

Another explanation is that the adults around Harry are just idiots. 
That certainly seems possible.  A kinder way of putting it is that
Snape, or more specifically the adults puzzling lack of action, is one
of those plot devices JKR isn't very good at.  They are entertaining
and move the plot along but at the expense of consistency and
believable characterization.  Oh, and I don't think the whole
"wizarding world stuck in Victorian attitudes," which is a corollary
you sometimes see, is very convincing or believable, either.

Another explanation is that the adults believe it is up to Harry to
learn to deal with Snape.  That is morally reprehensible, if true, in
addition to showing them to be idiots.  Of course, they may not
realize the full extent of Snape's animosity.  JKR has said Dumbledore
believes dealing with teachers like Snape is a valuable lesson.  I
could buy that, if the type of behavior Dumbledore is thinking of is
what Snape gives to the average Gryffindor (e.g. Seamus or Ron or
Dean).  With them Snape seems cold and nasty but not particularly
vicious.  I would even agree that it is probably a valuable lesson for
the students to learn how to deal with a cold, nasty, but non-vicious
person (particularly since the WW doesn't have universities so
Hogwarts students have to learn all their lessons in preparation for
real life during the Hogwarts years).  The behavior Snape exhibits
toward Harry, however, is something very different, and the adults may
simply not fully understand that.  One could interpret some of
Dumbledore's speech in OOTP as showing some tendencies in this
direction.  He didn't expect Snape to act this way because he didn't
fully understand just how vicious Snape's attitude toward Harry was.

Myself, I lean toward the "adults are idiots but morally OK"
explanation.  It fits with the kind of inconsistency you sometimes
find in JKR's writing as well as the general message she seems to want
to project.

Lupinlore