On the trivial and the profound

[eggplant107]

No: HPFGUIDX 165466

Bart Lidofsky Wrote:

> When Dumbledore say, "Severus, 
> please...", what is the rest of
> the sentence?

Severus, please don't prove I've been wrong about you for 17 years.

> Is it really that straightforward?

Yes I think it is. There is a simple straightforward explanation for
all the events that happened on the tower that horrible night, but
only if you are willing to abandon your perceptions of Snape that you
made before book 6 came out.

It's only if you insist that Snape is good do the events of that night
become more than just mysterious, they become downright bizarre. No
matter how much you love a theory if it doesn't fit the facts you must
abandon it. 

I could be wrong of course, perhaps JKR will find a rational reason a
good Snape would make that vow (it all comes down to that vow), in
fact I would be delighted if she could pull that miracle off, but I
doubt it's possible.

I think it will be revealed in the last book that Snape is not totally
evil, but I think Snape lovers should be prepared for the fact that
he's not nearly as good as they think he is. But as I say I could be
wrong, it wouldn't be the first time.

"sistermagpie" Wrote: 

> I don't think seeing Harry's faking
> his ability at Potions as dishonest
> has to come from a love of criticizing Harry. 

Don't be silly, of course people love to criticize Harry! Do you
honestly think this thread would be one tenth as long as it is if
Draco had done it, or Snape? And Harry wasn't faking; he really could
make better potions than anybody else in the class.

I'd like to make a brief diversion because I hope somebody can clear
up a mystery for me. As I said before Harry and Hermione NEVER get a
free pass, but strangely Ron does. Without a doubt in 6 books the
absolute worst behavior of any of the 3 main characters was Ron's in
book 4. He had a fight with his best friend and it was more than just
a little spat, it lasted about a month. Remember this was a friend who
saved his sister's life, a friend who demonstrated a willingness to
risk his own life to save Ron too. I understand why he had the fight,
he was jealous of Harry, and I understand why he was jealous, he was
insecure; however understanding why somebody is obnoxious does not
make him one bit less obnoxious.

Poor Harry was going through a very difficult time, he was scared to
death he was going to get killed in the first task of the Tri-Wizard
tournament, or even worse, make a complete fool of himself. He was at
a really low point in his life, everybody except Hermione thought he
was a liar, he was worried Sirius would get caught, most of the
students seemed to hate him, he was depressed, he was terrified, and
he needed moral support from Ron. He didn't get it. Harry didn't ask
Ron to risk his life, he just asked him to believe him when he said he
didn't put his name in the cup, he just asked him to be his friend.
Ron refused; Harry's only friend was Hermione.

Sure it was difficult for Ron to live under the shadow of his
brothers, but it's hard for me to get very weepy over Ron's early
years. Everybody has problems growing up but it seems to me Ron's
childhood was pretty wonderful, as close to being perfect as anybody
ever had. Harry's childhood on the other hand was hell, a pure
undiluted nightmare, but that never made him let down a friend at the
very time he needed help the most. Harry has forgiven Ron so I guess 
I should too, but what I want to know is, did Ron get that free 
pass from the same place that Snape did? What do Snape and 
Ron have in common? 

"lealess" Wrote:

> I wish someone would define "Free Pass" for me 

Why? You know perfectly well what it means.

> how do we know that Snape hasn't felt genuine 
> remorse and tried to pay for his mistakes 

One of Snape's "mistakes" led to the death of the Potters, if he felt
genuine remorse over that it seems odd he would treat their only son
like shit for 6 years.

> Other crimes Snape might want to pay 
> for include making an Unbreakable Vow
> with Narcissa 

That is the mother load! If you can find a RATIONAL reason a good
Snape would make that vow you will instantly turn me from being a
Snape hater into a Snape lover.

> someone who reputedly worked to save first-
> year Harry 

That's true, but in 6 books that's the only good thing Snape ever did,
and I have an explanation why an evil Snape would do exactly the same
thing.

> He [Harry] shouldn't be trying to cast
> Cruciatus curses or Sectumsempra again

Yes, but I sure hope he does!

> I am thrilled when students consult
> on old book or seek help to clarify a question. 

Excellent! It sound to me like you are a good teacher.

> It's when they copy from that book or from their
> helping friend and claim credit for it on their 
> own that I kick them to the curb. 

But Harry did nothing of the sort, he never claimed to have invented
those potions, he just read a book that improved his skill at making
them. Harry had a choice to make, he could follow a good way to make
potions or he could follow a crappy way; Harry chose the good way. To
my dying day I will never be able to find anything wrong with that. 

Eggplant