[HPforGrownups] Was the eavesdropper unimportant to Harry? WAS: Re: Snape again

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 147039

Alla:

I agree with SSSusan and Jenn. I don't doubt that the fact 
that "eavesdropper" is Snape made Harry hate him more, but I disagree 
that eavesdropper becomes significant ONLY because it is Snape. IMO 
eavesdropper becomes significant WHEN he gets a name, ANY name. Of 
course the fact that his name is Snape, makes Harry more upset for 
various reasons already described.



sherry now:

I think also that we have to remember what was going on when Harry first
learned about the prophecy and that there had been a nameless eavesdropper.
Sirius had just been murdered.  Harry is in shock.  Now he's being told this
secret about the prophecy, from a man he had trusted who had ignored him for
the entire year.  He's enraged, grieving and stunned with the revelations.
It seems natural to me, that in those moments, the identity of the
eavesdropper didn't register as being too important yet.  There was so much
to take in.  By the time a year has past and he learns the identity of the
eavesdropper, I think he would have been furious, no matter who it was.
Yes, the fact that it was Snape is even more cause for rage in Harry's mind,
but I don't think he would have just blown it off with a shrug, if he'd
learned it was Malfoy, Dung or anyone else he knew.  I think it's all in the
timing.  I can understand how in his mind, everyone and everything that led
up to the murder of his parents are all to blame.  After all, the poor kid
still blames himself for Sirius' death, which I steadfastly maintain was in
no way his fault.  

Sherry