Why did Snape remove *that* memory? Was:Taking memories out of your head?

[anne_t_squires]

No: HPFGUIDX 164155

>  
> va32h:


<snip>


 
> In terms of this particular scene, not only do I not think that Snape 
> deliberately set Harry up, I don't see why there is any reason, 
> within or without the context of the books, for him to do so. 
> 
> We already know that Snape hates James. Harry knows that Snape hates 
> James. Snape has already spoken negatively about James 
> 
> If I believe that Snape set Harry up, it tells me nothing new about 
> Snape. Snape is a mean spirited person who hates James with good 
> reason and would like to disabuse Harry of the notion that his father 
> was good. This isn't news. 
> 
> If I believe Snape deliberately tried to hide those memories from 
> Harry, it *does* tell me something new about Snape. 

Anne Squires:

 Like you said, Snape is letting Harry know that he hates James.  No,
this is not news to anyone, especially Harry.  If you accept my theory
though that Snape set Harry up(and I do understand that you don't
accept it) then it does add something new to the Harry-Snape
relationship because this whole episode also shows that Snape has come
to accept that Harry is not like his father when it comes to bullying.


 

By the time we get to OotP, Snape has been keeping tabs on Harry for
years. If Harry or any of the trio were bullies then I think Snape
would be aware of it and would have called them on it.  Snape has
accused Harry of many things such as being arrogant "like his father."
 But, IIRC, Snape has never accused Harry of being a bully.  (I mean
up to this point in the series---OotP)  And I'll bet he's been looking
for that particulr trait.  Add to this the fact that Snape has
recently seen some of Harry's Dursley/Dudley memories. Now after
having seen Harry's memories I truly do believe that Snape knows that
Harry will at the least be dismayed and at the most be horrified to
see that his father was a bully in the same vein as Dudley, Aunt
Marge, Aunt Petunia, and Uncle Vernon. Snape does in fact realize that
Harry would be more likely to identify with and empathize with the
victim of a bully and have some rather strong feelings against the
bully. This realization on Snape's part, I think, is evidence of a
paradigm shift in his opinion of Harry.  He still hates the Potter
brat; but in this one area he can see that the son is not the father.
 Snape can also use this fact against both father and son.   



I just love the irony of the whole thing.  The bully's victim uses
this very memory to get revenge on his tormentor via this son.  It's a
very immature thing for Snape to do.  But, then again, that's Snape
for you.




I think we must also remember that it's not just Harry who sees
Snape's memory in the pensieve.  LV is there as well and Snape knows
it.  Like I said in an earlier post, I think Snape's most important,
damaging, or incriminating memories are probably stored away in vials
or some sort of containers.  Possibly they are carefully buried under
memories which Snape considers unimportant.  When Snape intices Harry
into the pensieve he can kill two birds.  He can upset the Potter brat
 and he also can show LV that he's not hiding anythng important from
him.  If LV is convinced that the worst Snape has to hide is a minor
bullying incident from school, then Snape must be loyal.



I have been thinking about why Snape would set Harry up and I think he
was searching for a way to end the Occlumency lessons once and for
all.  Harry and LV were both showing up to those lessons.  It was too
dangerous for Snape the double agent.  Those lessons had to end.
 

va32h now:

> I don't want to get into an argument with you over the purpose of 
> this list, or what is worthy of discussion or not. 
> 
> va32h/Barbara
 

Anne Squires again:

I don't blame you.


I apologize.  I reread my post and it sounded very high handed.  I did
not intend to come across so, I don't know, rude, I guess.  Especially
the last paragraph.  I was completely out of line.  I have deleted the
post because I am embarrassed for ever posting it.  I am very sorry.

Sincerely Anne Squires