[HPforGrownups] Re: The Isolated Headmaster: Implications for Snape and Harry

[charober at sympatico.ca]

No: HPFGUIDX 163734

lupinlore:
> > Simply because Dumbledore has a pattern of mistakes and bad behavior 
> does not excuse that behavior.  Nor does the fact that the Wizarding 
> World is a reprehensible dystopia excuse anything about Hogwarts or 
> Dumbledore's policies.  Dumbledore's consent to Snape's abuse of 
> Harry, like his consent to the Dursley's abuse of Harry, sets up a 
> deep moral conflict at the heart of the character -- a conflict that 
> severely undermines the messages about him that Rowling clearly wants 
> to get across.

Charlotte:

However, it's revealed near the end of OOTP that Snape left Harry with the Dursleys because Petunia was a blood-relative of Lily, let alone Harry, and he explains to Harry that family love is strongest of all and provides complete protection.  Therefore, it can't mean full consent for the Dursleys to "abuse" Harry.  

As for Snape, Dumbledore claims that he would not employ Snape at Hogwarts as a teacher if he did not trust him, and yet it is obvious throughout the series that Snape despises Harry, primarily because Snape went to school with Harry's father, and chooses to be harsh towards Harry, but that is almost entirely biased based on James' behaviour.  

Likewise, people find out that Snape was once a death-eater, and in Goblet/Fire, Sirius explains to Harry that no one EVER ends their status of being a Death Eater, so Snape still had an "evil" side in his teaching position.  I myself would be apprehensive around Snape if I were in that scenario!  I have to say in the end, Snape never seemed trustworthy at Hogwarts since he murdered Dumbledore.  I hope he gets punished severely in the next book!  

By the way, I myself am new here, I just joined yesterday.  Keep reading everyone!

Charlotte