The Chosen One (was Re: Nice vs. Good - Compassion)
juli17ptf
juli17 at aol.com
Thu Jun 1 06:05:03 UTC 2006
No: HPFGUIDX 153218
>
> Leslie41 wrote:
> > There's a difference between knowing that Harry is *considered*
the
> > chosen one, and actually believing it. Snape is obviously being
> > sarcastic here, especially considering the context. I would say
> > this is evidence Snape *doesn't* believe Harry is the "Chosen
One,"
> > just that he knows others believe it and he thinks it's suspect.
<snip>
> Carol responds:
> Or he could be pretending not to believe it because DE!Draco is in
the
> class. (However, he's not pretending that he doesn't take cheek,
even
> from celebrities or heroes!) I think that his statement to Bellatrix
> that Harry is a mediocre wizard is along the same lines: he doesn't
> want the DEs to realize that Harry is a real threat, or that his
> somewhat underdeveloped wizarding skills have nothing to do with the
> threat he poses (which I think Snape guesses has everything to do
with
> the powers Harry acquired at Godric's Hollow, including Parseltongue
> and the scar connection, both of which Snape knows about).
Julie:
I think Snape's beliefs about Harry's status as the Chosen One have
evolved as the series has progressed. I suspect Snape didn't think
Harry was the Chosen One in the beginning, but just a kid who hadn't
earned the adulation he was receiving. I also suspect Snape would
have been happy to see Harry expelled during Harry's first three or
so years at Hogwarts. After all, Voldemort was still Vapormort at the
time, and though Snape was smart enough not to underestimate the
possibility of Voldemort actually returning to full power, he must
have maintained some hope Vapormort wouldn't be able to do accomplish
the transformation (and Voldemort might not have, without Peter).
Then everything changed. At the end of GoF, Voldemort used Harry to
regain bodily form, and from the moment Snape had to return to
Voldemort possibility became reality. Harry went from a very dubious
threat to Voldemort in Snape's mind to the WWs best hope for
Voldemort's defeat. Even Snape couldn't ignore the greatest Dark
Wizard ever being stymied by a 15 year old's wand!
It's no coincidence that Snape quit trying to have Harry expelled
from that moment, even when Harry provided ample ammunition. Nor that
he started teaching Harry more directly, from Occulmency, to potions
via the Half Blood Prince, to his final words of advice during his
flight from the Tower. Snape may not completely understand the power
Harry possesses, he may disagree with Dumbledore over how Harry
should use that power, but he knows it is real. And he's not about to
share that knowledge with Voldemort or the DEs.
Julie
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