Snape and Draco again was I see no difference

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 160874

---
> 
> zgirnius:
> The proposed alternative meaning of his words is that he sees no 
> difference (in degree of severity) between having one's face 
turned 
> into something that looks like a poisonous fungus (what Harry did 
to 
> Goyle) and having one's teeth grow out down to one's collar (what 
Draco 
> did to Hermione). 
> 
> Neither of which  move him to any particular emotionality (calm 
and 
> cold appraisals of the damage are described), and are best dealt 
with 
> by sending the victim to the infirmary. I surmised in an earlier 
post 
> that this was always his intent regarding Hermione, because she 
did not 
> get into trouble for cutting his class after she ran away.
> 
> Anything he said at thet moment would be a response to her in some 
way, 
> Ron has dragged Hermione over to him and is yanking her hands down 
for 
> him to see. He does not actually reference her teeth, or her 
physical 
> appearance, in any way in his statement. Amd there is no clue in 
his 
> demeanor (no smirk), tone (no sarcasm), or choice of words that he 
> intends a nasty joke. He might still, of course. We don't know 
what he 
> intends, as ever.
>
wynnleaf

I tend to think better of Snape than most, however I have a rule of 
thumb regarding unusual interpretations of events in canon.  I think 
that if the author means something to appear, on the surface, one 
way, but actually something rather different is going on, then we 
have to expect that at some point in the future the truth will come 
out.  Either JKR will specifically tell us that what we thought was 
oing on at one point was actually something quite different, OR JKR 
will present enough new information that we'll know that many past 
occurances in canon need to be re-evaluated.  This is what occurs, 
for instance, when we learn that FakeMoody is Barty,Jr. 

However, I can't see how we'd ever be turned back to take a second 
look at this scene and it be revealed that Snape had a quite 
different meaning in his words than we thought.  Even if we learn in 
Book 7 that Snape was really a great guy and was just trying to 
protect everyone, etc. etc. -- well, regardless, I can't see 
anything that would make us look at that scene and think, "oh, yeah, 
he was really just comparing the severity of her hex to Goyle's."  

Therefore, I think we have to take that particular scene and assume 
that Snape meant it just as it appears -- rather than a comparitive 
factual remark.

On the other hand, I've always thought it odd that Snape would have 
paid any attention to Hermione's sensitivity about her teeth.  
Snape's teeth are soooo bad, it seems almost bizarre that he'd ever 
notice a slight flaw in her teeth.  Without knowing that Hermione is 
sensitive about her teeth, it seems almost a throwaway overthetop, 
ridiculous insult.  I mean, who'd take it seriously in the general 
way?  If, for instance, her hands had grown huge and he'd said, "I 
see no difference," would she have been so upset or anyone think it 
was some dreadful insult?  Of course not.  They'd just think Snape 
wasn't being fair by not paying attention to her hex -- but not 
horribly insulting.  It's just because the kids know that Hermione's 
really sensitive about not having the most perfect teeth.  But I 
have a hard time believing that Snape knows or cares about Hermione 
having some concern about her teeth.

wynnleaf