[HPforGrownups] RE: Understanding Snape

[P. Alexis Nguyen]

No: HPFGUIDX 153469

wynnleaf wrote:
<SNIP>
> It would have been very easy to excuse Snape for never contacting the Order
> the second time. Why should he suspect that Harry had gone to the Ministry
> ? Unless, of course, he was thinking "out of the box" and wanted to gaurd
> Harry against the chance that he'd gone there. The last time he'd known
> where Harry went was when Harry and Hermione went with Umbridge into the
> forest. Since Umbridge had not returned, there was every reason to believe
> that they were all three still there. Further, there was no way that anyone
> would normally consider for Harry and Co. to get to the Ministry. The floo
> network was watched. Brooms were locked up. Harry couldn't apparate. He
> couldn't take the train. The only reason they were able to go was the odd
> chance that Harry and Hermione had blood on their clothes, thus attracting
> the thestrals. It would have been easy for Snape to say later that he
> couldn't imagine Harry ever getting outside of the general Hogwarts,
> Hogsmead, Forest locale.
<SNIP further explanation>

Not to argue the opposite since I don't necessarily believe it, but
the idea must be brought up that it is simply NOT that easy to excuse
Snape for not contacting the Order the second time and mentioning that
Harry might have gone on another one of his "adventures."  After all,
Snape has been watching Harry for years.  He knows that this is the
kid who, when prevented from getting to Hogwarts, didn't immediately
contact a nearby adult but instead drove a flying Ford Anglia to the
school.  This is the kid that has defied Voldemort several times.
This is a kid that clearly acts before thinking and clearly acts on
the option that isn't necessarily the most sensible one.  Therefore,
if I were in Snape's shoes, my first thought would be that Harry is
going to find *some* way to get out of Hogwarts and to the Department
of Mystery, and in fact, I think this thought should have occurred to
any of Harry's teachers, especially given that Hermione is with him.
(I know the thought apparently didn't really occur to anyone, but I'd
like to think that was more plot device than logical thought on any of
the Hogwarts staff members' parts.)

Moreover, the evidence citing that Umbridge not coming back [from the
forest] equates with Harry & Hermione coming still being there and
with her doesn't quite work in my mind.  After all, we know the forest
is huge, and amidst a large grouping of trees and fantastical
creatures, it can't be too hard to purposely lose track of someone, as
Harry would be wont to do since he would be trying his best to get out
of Hogwarts and get to Sirius.

Anyway, those are my two bits, moot if Snape is not evil but needed
saying nonetheless.

~Ali