Snape's Worst Memory

[steven1965aaa]

No: HPFGUIDX 150675

andrea1270@ wrote:

I don't think that Snape is concerned about him seeing it at all.  I 
think it's basically planted for the express PURPOSE of Harry seeing 
it.  Suppose you're ESE!Snape. Your working as a double agent for LV 
by POSING as a double agent for DD.  LV couldn't have been too happy 
that ESE!Snape is being ordered to teach Harry occlumency, espeially 
since entering Harry's mind was a pretty successful tool for LV in 
OoTP.  So here's Snape, having to teach LV mortal enemy how to fend 
off intrusion.  PLUS, it turns out that Harry might have some talent 
at it when he applies himself and even starts to fight back to enter 
ESE! Snape's mind.  This has become, not only inconvenient for LV, 
but potentially dangerous for ESE!Snape as well.  I say the memory 
of James is a plant put in the pensieve to give ESE! Snape, if not a 
graceful way to bow out of coaching Harry, at least a way that is 
less suspicious than if he just flat out refuses.  Given Harry's 
blind hero worship of his father, ESE!Snape figures what better 
way to cause a confrontation and have Harry refuse to work with HIM? 
Plus, if Harry gets to see his father in an unflattering light, all 
the better. 

Because I do believe that whether Snape be good or evil, he just 
plain doesn't like Harry.  I don't think that he would like him 
whatever his own agenda.  Snape was the outcast in his day, Harry is 
the most popular kid in school.  Even if you leave James out of the 
equation, Snape's contempt is not an act. 

Steven1965aaa writes:

Interesting theory.  I do agree with you that, regardless of whether 
he's DDM, ESE, OFH or whatever, Snape just does not like Harry, 
plain and simple.  Perhaps Snape's dislike of both Harry and James, 
standing alone, would be enough to make him want Harry to see James 
behaving badly (but I don't think that would be enough of a 
motivation for Snape to want Harry to see Snape in a situation where 
he's essentially hanging upside-down with his undies exposed!).

One correction on the facts though, in OOP, where that scene takes 
place, Harry is far from being the most popular kid in school.  Most 
of his classmates think he's a nutcase.