OFH SNAPE was: Script from JKR's reading/ About Snape and Dumbledore

juli17ptf juli17 at aol.com
Tue Aug 15 02:45:37 UTC 2006


No: HPFGUIDX 156939


> 
> > >>Snow:
> > Again open to interpretation. Dumbledore says he `believes' that 
> > this is why Snape acted in such a manner

> 
> Betsy Hp:
> But isn't this what we're talking about? How *Dumbledore* sees 
> Snape? How much and why Dumbledore trusts him?
> 
> Snow:
> 
> Yes it is. It is the `why' that counts. Dumbledore could trust 
Snape 
> completely if he realizes that Snape has no other recourse. If 
Snape 
> wants out of the Voldy clan then he doesn't want to go back and 
could 
> therefore be completely trusted
or can he? Yes and no, he can be 
> trusted to the extent that their main objectives are the same but 
> getting there is another story. Dumbledore's man had quite a 
failing 
> when he refused Harry Occlumency lessons. 
> 

Julie:
I don't see how Snape refusing to give Harry Occlumency lessons 
after the pensieve incident is an indication that Dumbledore
doesn't trust him. Or that Snape can't be trusted. Dumbledore
could very well have demanded Snape resume the lessons, and I
feel certain Snape would have done so even if he delivered
some vituperous commentary over that demand. Instead Dumbledore
recognizes his *own* error in expecting Snape and Harry get 
beyond their extreme animosity toward each other. (And, yes, 
he did lay it on Snape's wounds that are too deep to heal, but
I'm sure he knows Harry's unauthorized snooping in the pensieve
rubbed salt directly in those wounds. He just didn't feel it
necessary to kick Harry when he's down by pointing this out).

But I agree it is a failing in Snape to discontinue the lessons,
as it was also a failing in Harry to snoop into something
that was totally private (at 15 he certainly knew better). 
However a person doesn't have to be without human failings to  
be trusted. If that were a requirement, then there would be no
one Dumbledore could trust, including Harry.  

Julie








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