Getting people to work together (was Why does Snape...)--Long

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 148851

 
Lupinlore wrote:

She  
has also told us that it is McGonagall, not Snape, whom she regards 
as  Dumbledore's lieutenant and second-in-command.


Julie:
Just curious, when did JKR say that? To all appearances she is his 
second at Hogwarts in regards to teaching and administration there,
and she is now acting Headmistress. But I've never read anything
where JKR said or implied McGonagall was Dumbledore's lieutenant
and second-in-command (i.e., right-hand person) in regards to the
war or the Order, which is where many of us think Snape has probably
been privy to the most inside information. Which only makes sense,
as Snape is spying for Dumbledore. (And that is sharing of strategy
and information, not sharing of deep emotional feelings, which is the
area where I fully agree Dumbledore has no "confidante".)
 
<snip>
 
Lupinlore:
Now, if you put all that together, I think it's very plausible that  
many of DD's conversations with Snape were mirror images of his  
conversations with Harry.  That is, Snape was constantly demanding to  
know what Dumbledore *saw* in the cheeky brat, and DD was constantly  
turning his questions aside in much the same way he turned aside 
Harry's  questions about Snape.  For example:

<snip entertaining example>


Julie now:
Of course, it could have also gone something like this:
 
Snape: Potter could have killed Malfoy! He had no business using that
curse! I've said it before, that boy's impetuousness and his  inability to 
control his emotions will be his downfall, as well as *ours*,  Headmaster.
 
Dumbledore: I agree it is something we must help him overcome. But
Harry learned a very valuable lesson today, not so dissimilar to one  you
once learned, I believe. 
 
Snape: I never almost killed someone with that curse! And it wasn't my   
idea to put my old Potions textbook where Potter could so  *coincidentally*
obtain it. I can't believe you pilfered it from my --

 
Dumbledore (smiling): Pilfered? That's a rather strong word, Severus. 
 
Snape: When the word fits--
 
Dumbledore: And I don't hold you responsible for how Harry uses 
the information he gleans from it. That is his judgment, which he  must
live with, as we all must live with our own decisions. But the  information
he's learning from the Half-Blood Prince--from you--will be important  for 
him. 
 
Snape: Which he could have learned it in my Potions classes, if  he'd 
ever *bothered* to actually pay attention.
 
Dumbledore: That would have been the easiest way, I agree. As to
why it failed to happen, well, that's neither here nor there now. What 
is critical is that Harry must be prepared for what he will very soon 
face. And don't scowl at me, Severus, I'm not any happier about  it
than you are. But we both know some things are...inevitable. Now, I
understand that you've already assigned appropriate punishment for
Harry's, um, misdeed?
 
Snape: Saturday detentions for the rest of the year. Unfortunately  for
him, he'll have to miss his beloved Quidditch games. 
 
Dumbledore: Indeed. Though I suppose it does give the other Houses a 
fighting chance at the trophy this year. (smiles)
 
Snape (snorts): Once again, you are overestimating Potter's abilities
and importance, Headmaster.
 
Dumbledore: You think so? I don't agree, of course. Nor does Fawkes.
 
Snape (wincing at Fawkes' sudden trill): Of course. And Fawkes has 
questionable skill when it comes to judging a  wizard's real merit. 
 
Dumbledore (eyes twinkling): Then why does he want you to pet him?
 
Snape scowls, has no answer to give, and grudgingly pets Fawkes.
 
 
 
(see, I agree Snape doesn't quite see Harry with the same rosy
glasses as Dumbledore, in fact his glasses need a good cleaning!
But I think deep-down Snape does know Harry *is* the only one  who
will eventually defeat Voldemort, thus he acquiesces to Dumbledore's
judgment even when he gives voice to his "doubts.")
 
Julie 
--who just wanted to stick that Potions book into the conversation  ;-)
 


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