Snape's Cruelty Has Purpose /Pansy Parkinson

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 150720

 
> Deb here:
snipping severely throughout
 - 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. 

  Compare how Harry reacts to intimidation in the first book to 
> how he reacts in later books... 
>  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". 


Potioncat:
Remember the "it'll bring out the worst in him" quote about why DD 
wouldn't give Snape the DADA position? Most of us took it to mean 
that something about DADA would be bad for Snape. Turns out (nods to 
Carol) that DADA brings out the worst in everyone.

There is a JKR quote something along the line of "because DD knows 
the students have something to learn from this type of person" to 
explain why DD puts up with Snape. 

For some reason, Deb, the wording of your post hit home. While I 
don't think Snape is exactly acting, (and there's a nice essay at 
the Lexicon that addresses this) I think either Snape or more 
likely, DD, has a reason for Harry to be "toughened up" in this way.

I mean, if you can survive Snape, LV is a piece of cake!

Potioncat:
Who is unable at this time to go find the actual JKR quote.
The essay at The Lexicon is about Spinner's End and discusses 
geography and personality. It can be found in the March section 
of "what's new."