[HPforGrownups] Re: Judging Characters (was:Scene with likeable James...)

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 156579

> Betsy Hp:
>> I really, really don't agree that Snape meant for Harry to see the
>> memory.  For one, Montague showing up and requiring immediate help
>> was so random that Snape *couldn't* have planned for it.
>
> He could have been leaving out the same memories for Harry to see
> every time, knowing he would eventually bite.

Magpie:
It has nothing to do with Harry "biting," it has to do with Snape leaving 
him alone with them.  Snape never left him alone, except when he was called 
away by something he couldn't have predicted.

Plus everything in canon seems to indicate he didn't want Harry to see it. 
I don't really understand what Snape's point would be in Harry seeing him 
humiliated.  That he'd see that his dad was a bully?  Knowing Snape I'd 
think he'd assume Snape would expect Harry to find Snape coming off worse of 
the two.  I'm sure if he just wanted Harry to see Snape being a bully or 
whatever he could pluck another one where he didn't look pathetic.  Harry's 
made his peace with the memory anyway and has become more sympathetic to 
James.  I just honestly can't see Snape ever wanting anyone to see that 
memory ever--nor do I see any hint in canon that the more obvious reading 
isn't the correct one, that a number of unpredictable things came together 
on that day that led to Harry seeing the memory.

-m