The Isolated Headmaster: Implications for Snape and Harry

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 163580


>
> Lupinlore:
> > As for the problem with Snape "getting it," though, there may be
a
> theme at work.  Why doesn't he explain to Snape the importance
> of "love" and "mercy" in defeating Voldemort without going so far
as
> to reveal the prophecy?  I suspect the answer is that he has tried,
> and Snape simply refuses to believe it.
>
> Ceridwen:
> Yes.  And if Dumbledore is as hesitant about giving out necessary
> information as suggested above, then it would be difficult for
> someone to take his word at face value on something like this.
Even
> on the list, we have discussions about how Harry will defeat LV -
> spells, knowledge, love, possession, the veil, and it all comes
back
> to ideology: is killing in a war destructive?  Would Rowling go
> there?  Do we want our modern-day Hero to kill?  I think Snape and
> Dumbledore would have had the same sort(s) of discussion(s), if
they
> discussed it, especially if Dumbledore did not give enough back-up
to
> his assertions.
>


And here we have what I think is an interesting example of the
weakness of DD's approach -- one of his mistakes, if you will.  By
holding back important information from both Snape and Harry, he was
in effect constantly stoking their hatred of one another.

Consider that Harry tended to come away from every discussion with DD
about Snape angry and frustrated.  Essentially he was told, "I trust
Snape, do as I say."  As his enmity toward Snape escalated, this
became more and more irritating, and less and less effective.  In
time, the anger and frustration just served to accelerate the spiral
of dislike and, eventually, hatred.

One suspects much the same happened with Snape.  Imagine the "mirror
image" conversations that DD must have had with Snape about Harry.
For instance in OOTP:

SNAPE:  The boy has no sense of caution whatsoever!  How could he be
so foolish as to fall into the Dark Lord's trap?

DD:  Now, Severus.  You know Harry had no way of knowing what which
were truthful visions and which false.  Much older and more
experienced wizards have been fooled in that way.

SNAPE:  He refused to apply himself to his lessons!

DD:  I have already said I take the blame for that, Severus.  I
should have taught him myself.  It is likely that Harry cannot learn
Occlumency in any case -- something else I should have known.

SNAPE:  He is doomed if he cannot close his mind!

DD:  So I believed -- but I was wrong.  Harry has other strengths.
Strengths against which Voldemort is weak.

SNAPE:  Weak!  How can you constantly dismiss my warnings!  You know
what we face.  That bumbling boy will be the death of all of us!

DD:  That's enough, Severus.  I have every faith in Harry.

SNAPE:  Then...

DD:  I said that's quite enough, Severus.


Such conversations -- and their were likely at least as many of this
kind as of the ones between Harry and DD -- would frustrate and anger
Snape, eventually feeding the spiral of his dislike.  Thus, in trying
to maintain secrecy and preserve privacy, DD accidentally took what
began as a bad situation, helped it grow into a terrible situation,
and eventually nursemaided it into a catastrophic situation.


Lupinlore