Snapes Behaviour and Legimens

[elissa_ryan]

No: HPFGUIDX 161597

Tinktonks:
> <snipping Legilimency theory>
> I also think that Snape's hatred is not really aimed at Harry, it is 
> caused by Harry. Snape hates himself for depriving Harry of a 
> family, he also hates that he has caused this boy to be marked as 
> LV's equal and possibly be murdered by him. That's why he is so 
> strict on Harry and gets so annoyed when Harry is bad at something. 
> When Neville is rubbish Snape ignores him most of the time, 
> occasionally remarking on his inadequacies. When Harry is bad it is 
> almost a manic disapproval with Snape.


Elissa:
This is very close to an idea about Snape's behavior I've been 
cherishing since reading HBP, though I think it is more of an emotional 
response for Snape, rather than frustration with Harry's progress.  
Dumbledore claims that revealing the partial prophecy to Voldemort is 
the greatest regret of Snape's life.  The way Snape treats Harry and 
Neville (though I know this is often argued about here <g>) is the best 
evidence to my eyes, that Dumbledore is correct about Snape's remorse.

I believe that Snape set out from the very beginning to make sure that 
Harry Potter would despise him.  

Snape feels guilty about the impact his actions have had on Harry's
life.  But he has to be around Harry to teach and protect him (if
you buy DDM!Snape, which I do).  He also cannot own up to his
guilt because Dumbledore wants to protect Harry from knowledge
about the circumstances surrounding the prophecy for as long as
possible.  I think that Snape's sense of honor forbids him from
allowing Harry to have any positive feelings for him, since Snape
believes that if Harry were in possession of all the facts, he would hate 
him, and rightly so, for the role he played in the deaths of his parents 
and the course Harry's life has taken.

In other words, knowing his guilt, Snape wouldn't be able to stand
himself if an unknowing Harry cared for or trusted him at all.  
Antagonizing Harry makes sure that it will never happen, and honor 
is satisfied.

Now, I don't discount Snape's feelings towards James at all, but I
think that the anger Snape holds for James is the emotion that he
is calling on to be so hateful towards Harry.  Kind of a method
acting exercise, if you will.  He is harnessing that emotion to
convince Harry, and probably himself.

I think the ability to do something like that is bourne out well
by his reputation as a superb Occlumens, which JKR has said 
requires similar skills; and also evidenced by that look of loathing 
as he AK'ed Dumbledore, where he was harnessing similar emotions 
to be able to perform that curse on a man he certainly respected, if 
not outright loved.

AFAIK, though Snape is obviously a tough and demanding sort of
teacher, we have not seen him treat any other students, in or out
of Gryffindor, the way he treats the Trio and Neville.  He goes
after them to anger Harry, but in Neville's case, I am thinking he
also feels guilt for what happened to the Longbottoms.  (I know
that JKR has said that the DE's who went after them didn't know the 
contents of the prophecy, but for the sake of economy, I have to 
believe that the Longbottoms were targeted in some way because 
of it, or it would be *some* coincidence)

This may not be the most mature way to handle such a situation,
but I feel that it is very in character for Snape; he may be a bitter,
vindictive sort, but he also seems to have a very strong, if somewhat
singular sense of honor, pride and integrity.

~Elissa, delurking <g>