Defense of Snape in POA. Was:Re: Snape, Apologies, and Redemption

[huntergreen_3]

No: HPFGUIDX 152830

Leslie41 wrote:
> "Keeping the plot interesting" does not constitute a defense of
> the character's actions morally.  It's a cop out.

Lupinlore replied:
>>> EXACTLY!  Which is precisely, IMO, why Dumbledore's reprehensible
failure to intervene at the Dursleys [snip] <<<


BAW:
>>The Dursleys are another matter; I don't understand why DD didn't
intervene before HBP.  All I can think is that (a) the Blood 
Protection was the only way to keep Harry alive, and that as 
miserable as Harry's life with the Dursleys was, it was a LIFE, which 
is better than the alternative; and (b) before he realized how horrid 
the Dursleys were, DD agreed that in exchange for the Dursleys taking 
Harry in, he would not interfere in how they chose to raise him 
[snip] But I acknowledge that this is rather weak, and hope that we 
learn more in Book VII.<<

HunterGreen:
Perhaps it was more simple than that. I think we already have our 
explanation, simply that he had no other choice than the Dursleys. 
After that it could have been a combination of not knowing how bad 
the situation was and being unable to do anything about it. Vernon 
and Petunia *hated* having Harry there (and as horrible as that is, 
its not like they OFFERED to take Harry in), it was a near miracle 
that they took him in. If Dumbledore or some other magical person 
stepped in and threatened them or "had a talk" with them, the 
response was likely to be, "Fine, YOU take him then!". 

They were treating Harry awfully, but they weren't starving him, or 
putting him in the hospital with injuries (and anything that horrible 
was likely to cause spurts of magic), in other words, Harry wasn't 
going to die or end up irreparably damaged, so therefore he was 
still, in a strange way, better off there. Mrs. Figg lived down the 
road and after a few years Harry was in school (where any serious 
injuries or signs of neglect would be noticed), so its not like he 
was *completely* abandoned. 

The protection from Petunia's blood had the desired effect at least. 
It was Neville's family who were attacked a few years after 
Voldemort's downfall; and Harry would not have lived in GoF had the 
plan to kidnap Harry not involved a portkey (if, for example, Peter 
could just barge into the Dursley's house in the middle of the night 
and kidnap him).


-HunterGreen/Rebecca