CHAPDISC: HBP9, The Half-Blood Prince

[krista7]

No: HPFGUIDX 147713

Overheard between Alla and Irene:

> > Alla:
> > 
> > Heeee. One would wonder why exactly the teacher is not happy when 
> > student produces powerful Shield Charm. On the other hand, knowing 
> > the name of this teacher one would not. :-)
> > 
> Irene:
> You don't cut Snape any slack, even if it was a perfectly legitimate 
> teaching situation by any standards. (On the other hand, knowing the 
> name of the listee, one does not wonder ;-)

While I agree Snape's critique of Harry (nonverbal vs. verbal spells)
was valid, I want to point out that Snape's "not happy" and supposed
anti-Harry vendetta here is very questionable:

The sequence of events goes like this:

Snape takes Ron's place in the demonstration;

Harry gives a verbal Shield spell that throws Snape back;

Snape arises, "scowling," and asks if Harry recalls the 
lesson is about *nonverbal* spells--he doesn't say peep 
about being blasted by Harry, about Harry reacting too quickly, 
etc. Just that the assignment was *nonverbal*; 

Harry says "yes," which Snape corrects to "yes, sir," 
without being especially vicious in his response. Snape
has now had *two* opportunities to retaliate against
Harry for the spell, if he were really ticked about it--
and he doesn't do anything;

Harry smarts off with the "sir" comment (which couldn't be
overlooked in *any* classroom) and he gets detention.
He isn't pitched out of class, threatened with expulsion, etc. I 
don't think McGonagall would've reacted so well to someone
mocking her authority, frankly. 

To me there are no signs of Snape being especially anti-Harry in
this episode. He reacts pretty mildly, by my reading. 

Krista