Power vs. Trust (was:The Possibilities of Grey Snape...)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 143036

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > But not to Snape.  In fact, I'd say Snape and Harry are also    
> > pretty equal when it comes to wrong conclusions reached.
> > <snip>

> >>Lupinlore: 
> Oh my, Betsy! :)  May we take it that you are admitting that Snape 
> has been absolutely in the wrong where Harry is concerned and that 
> you admit he must confess so, however humiliating that will be for 
> him, and be punished for his abuse in order for his character arc 
> to be complete?  Congratulations on achieving enlightenment! <big 
> grin>
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Heh.  No.  Because (and I think you agree with this?) this is 
Harry's story, not Snape's.  So, while Snape may come to realize his 
conclusions about Harry being a miniature James or Sirius are wrong, 
the biggest change will be on Harry's side.  After all, he's the 
character we're following into adulthood.  Snape is the damaged 
adult that Harry must accurately see and/or understand in order to 
avoid becoming exactly like that damaged adult.

It's important, I think, that while Snape sees Harry as an obnoxious 
nincompoop, he doesn't think Harry is evil.  When Snape raises the 
theory that Harry could become the next Dark Lord, he doesn't appear 
to buy it.  IOW, as far as Snape is concerned, Harry is DDM.

On the flip side, I think Harry does accurately read Snape on some 
issues (the Marauders for example, or his relationship with Draco) 
however he is mistaken about his basic loyalties.  If someone 
theorized that Snape was destined to be the next Dark Lord, Harry 
would buy it completely.  So there's a bigger trust issue on Harry's 
side.

I think that can be seen in the Occlumency lessons.  Snape thought 
Harry would be a) too stupid to learn it, and b) too arrogant to 
think he needed it.  Harry thought Snape was too evil (or not loyal 
enough to Dumbledore) to honestly try and teach him the skill.  Both 
came into the lesson with misconceptions that I think were wrong.  
Snape was loyal enough to Dumbledore to try and put forth his best 
effort; Harry is generally not too arrogant or stupid to try and 
learn something.  However, because of their misconceptions, the 
lessons were a fiasco.  And it's interesting that Harry's lack of 
trust is what lead to the premature ending of the lessons. 

Both characters need to change their perception of the other.  
However, Harry's need to change is far more vital than Snape's.  I 
*hope* Snape's view changes and he reaches some sort of 
understanding with Harry and Lupin (and therefore with his past).  
But that change isn't really necessary for Harry's part in the 
tale.  Snape could die still thinking Harry an idiot and that won't 
really effect where Harry ends up.

Betsy Hp (who snipped the rest of Lupinlore's post because she 
agrees with both Julie's and Magpie's responses)