Snape's Cruelty Has Purpose /Pansy Parkinson

[Deb]

No: HPFGUIDX 150709


(Snips - Magpie I responded to your first comments on another post 
in this treat in my dialogue with KathyK so I snipped them here) 

> Magpie:
> So which are the times when Snape is faking things just so that 
> Voldemort thinks he's on his side?  Where's the line and why does 
> Snape choose to cross it when he does?  I thought that was the 
whole 
> point here, that Snape's behavior towards Harry, Neville and 
> Hermione was something he had to do because of Voldemort.  What 
> would be the difference if he didn't have to convince Voldemort of 
> something?

Deb here:
  Snape as Harry, etal's teacher ... and IMO as DDM!Snape ... has to 
teach them much much more than just potions. He knows that Harry has 
been selected by LV to be the child in the prophecy (per DD's 
explaination to Harry at the end of OOP).Of all the members of OOP 
Snape knows the most about LV's character and way of doing things as 
he was when he became Vapomort - given that Snape had been a DE. 
Snape and DD know that in order for Harry to do what he needs to do, 
in order for him to survive any and all confrontations with LV and 
the DEs he has to not only master his magical skills but also he has 
to develop emotionally and intellectually to the point that he can 
withstand LVs verbal and emotional assaults as well as his magical 
ones. Harry has had some experience dealing with emotional abuse 
prior to coming to Hogwarts having lived with the Dursleys. However 
that had not made him tough enough. He still got intimidated by 
verbal abuse or became too angry to think clearly. When one is 
intimidated by a bully it becomes difficult to think and to plan a 
counter attack. And just lashing out without thought usually does 
not work very well. Constant thoughtfulness, considered planfulness, 
sharpened reaction times, emotional detachment, learning the magical 
curriculum to the point of not *having to* think of what spell or 
jinx or curse is going to be most effective - this is what will 
work.  Compare how Harry reacts to intimidation in the first book to 
how he reacts in later books... by the time of the graveyard scene 
in GOF Harry has learned to ignore verbal assaults - he has stopped 
being intimidated by Big Bad Bullies - he was able to quickly 
recover from the Crucio curse, he was able think his way through the 
whole assault by LV, the Prior Incantatum effects did not spook him 
into paralysis, the circling of Nagini did not distract him, the 
taunting of the DEs did not divert him. Who else at Hogwarts could 
have facilitated this aspect of Harry's maturation? Professor 
Sprout? Professor Flitwick? Hagrid? DD? No they are too inately  
kind and they like Harry ... they like most students. Snape, being 
the irritable curmudgeon he is, can do this kind of "teaching". Yes 
it is a role he takes on but it also fits mostly with the person he 
probably really is. I think he  merely exaggerates or intensifies 
his natural surliness when dealing with Harry and friends. He was 
trying to do the same for Neville but Neville was already too 
intimidated and had learned helplessness from his intimidating 
grandmother rather than much of a fight back mentality. Snape's 
attempts at teaching Harry Occlumency were a fiasco as DD admits... 
Harry's nature is to be open about his feelings, and open to the 
feelings of others. Closing off that aspect for Harry, I think, is 
rather like having him close one eye when dueling - it throws him 
off balance and distorts his perceptions because it is so foreign to 
his nature. Will LV be able to use Harry's emotions and memories 
against him... perhaps, but I don't think it will have as much 
impact as LV thinks it will... one of the things Harry did learn 
from the Occlumency lessons is the embarassing experiences and the 
memories of such do not kill you!            
 
> Magpie:
> I don't really think he does that.  The vow is Bellatrix's idea 
> because she's trying to make him put his money where his mouth is, 
> and she's surprised when he agrees.  But yes, I've agreed that he 
> does this sort of spying, where he pretends to be a DE and 
explains 
> his actions in that light, but this still seems a very different 
> thing than the show he's supposedly putting on for the Trio.  When 
> he interacts with Draco at the Xmas party, that to me is more the 
> equivalent of the way he is with the Trio.  He's spinning 
everything 
> he's saying to conform to the DE story, but I don't think he's 
> putting on an emotional act with the kid, exaggerating his like or 
> dislike of him the way he's supposedly doing with Harry and his 
> friends.  Snape's interactions with his students sometimes seem 
like 
> the most honest he gets.  Without them I wonder on what to build 
his 
> character.

Deb here:
  The vow was Narcissa's idea not Bella's. And she was pleading for 
her son's life wanting some concrete reason to hang on to that her 
son would be safe. 

Spinner's End, HBP
 (Snape speaking) "Narcissa, that's enough. Drink this. Listen to 
me."
 She quieted a little; slopping wine down herself, she took a shaky 
sip.
 "It might be possible...for me to help Draco" 
 She sat up, her face paper-white, her eyes huge.
 "Severus - oh, Severus - you would help him? Would you look after 
hi, see he comes to no harm?"
 "I can try".
 She flung away her glass; it skidded across the table as she slid 
off the sofa into a kneeling position at Snape's feet, seized his 
hand in both of hers, and pressed her lips to it.
 "If you are there to protect him...Severus, will you swear it? Will 
you make the Unbreakable Vow?"

Yes Bella then twits Snape and accuses him of saying "empty words" 
and of "the usual slithering out of action"(she rather likens Snape 
to a snake here doesn't she?) but I think he had decided to make the 
UV before she said that. Just my opinion.  
 
(Snips - responded to similar in response to KathyK up or over 
thread - and other topic was off topic for this particular thread)

Deb (aka djklaugh)