Bullying WAS: Re: Prodigal Sons

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 140900


> 
> zgirnius:
> 
> Except that this is not mentioned in answer to Harry's question about 
> an attack "for no reason".  Sirius just says he's not proud of their 
> behavior, and he and Remus enter into an explanation of how "cool", 
> popular, and brilliant James and Sirius were. That James reformed is 
> brought up later, when Harry wonders why Lily ever started to like 
> James.

Finwitch:

Reassuring James' wasn't ALL bad (telling all the good sides, that is)
was important too - just as important as the stopping part. It did
ease Harry about his father. Badmouthing Snape in this incident would
have made matters worse. I bet Sirius and Lupin could identify the
memory--

> zgirnius:
> 
> Lupin is clearly concerned about the Occlumency lessons continuing, 
> since it belatedly occurs to him that of course this whole incident 
> may have caused a problem. So is Sirius. However, Sirius hasn't shied 
> away from saying bad things about Snape in Harry's presence in the 
> past. Of course, those things were said in Snape's presence too, 
> Sirius may not really have been able to help himself despite these 
> concerns...

Finwitch:

That incident happened before Sirius got worried about Harry's
Occlumency-lessons. That was when Snape comes up and tells Harry
(after questioning Sirius' presence in Sirius' own house in a matter
concerning his godson) that Dumbledore told him to teach Occlumency.
You'll notice that Sirius questions this. "Why you?" - I think it's
not merely about Snape teaching, but also Snape informing. Sirius is
to take Snape's word on this...? And I bet Sirius had a good guess on
what might happen to his poor godson in these lessons... I'd say
Sirius demanded Phineas to tell Dumbledore to pay a visit and had a
heated discussion with Dumbledore about this special lesson-plan.
 
As I saw it, Sirius was mainly upset because these Order-members were
stepping over his status as Harry's godfather and appointed guardian.
You know, it's bad enough with Crouch' having put him into Azkaban
where he spent 12 years with Dementors - without so much as a trial -
for something he didn't do - meaning he hasn't been able to do his
duty as Godfather. Then, Dumbledore &al. know he's innocent, even if
WW on the whole doesn't - and he *did* get to do godfathering for a
year - I think he felt very much betrayed when people who ought to
know he's innocent ignore his godfatherhood and even act to prevent
him acting like one. That's very deep insult to him.
 
> zgirnius:
> 
> I personally don't find Snape's actions in the Shack all that 
> incomprehensible or obkectionable. 

Finwitch:

Well, that he flat out refused to listen is that to me. You know,
Lupin used Legilimency to get the truth out of Sirius first thing.
(it's pretty obvious from the description now that we know about
them.) We know (per OOP) that Snape can do that, too. He keeps doing
that to Harry. Why didn't he do it to Sirius as well? He flat out
refuses to listen-- to even consider the possibility that Sirius might
be innocent - just because of a teenage grudge.

And IMO Snape's been acting like a teenager troughout all the books.
Harry's entitled to that because he IS one. Snape ought to have grown
out of it by now. He has spent several years surrounded by
Dumbledore's trust - whereas Sirius spent 12 years alone with
Dementors, which does tend to cause insanity. (Obsession in Sirius'
case. Lucky for him, that got him out)

Finwitch