On the perfection of moral virtues

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 168845


> Carol responds:
> Harry violated Snape's trust and privacy by entering the Pensieve.
> While you may think that Snape's words and actions are more harmful
> than that particular bit of irresponsibility, I'm afraid that not
> everyone shares your view.
<snip>

Quick_Silver:
But should Harry really apologize for his little dive into Snape's 
memories? 

I mean leaving aside the plot and character reasons for that chapter 
Harry learns and sees some very important lessons from those 
memories. It casts doubt on his idolization of his father and Sirius 
for the first time and shows that Snape wasn't lying when he said 
that James was arrogant. It hinted that there may have been something 
between Snape and Lily and further highlighted Lupin's weakness and 
the depravity of Peter. 

Harry loses a great deal by terminating his lessons with Snape but if 
one of the keys to beating Voldemort is overcoming his emotions about 
Snape then it may be worth the pain and loss. 

In many ways I view that scene like Harry finding out that Snape was 
the spy that heard the prophecy…Dumbledore and Snape were right to 
keep the information from Harry but I think in the long run it's 
better for Harry and Harry's relationship with Snape if Harry knows.  

I think that Harry should take responsibility for the Pensieve dive 
but apologize? How can you be sorry about doing something that helped 
you reconcile with Snape to begin with?

Julie:
I don't expect nor would want to see a series of direct apologies
between Snape and Harry for specific actions. "I apologize for being
so mean to you in class, Potter." "And I apologize for snooping in
your Pensieve memories, Snape." "And I apologize for making snide
remarks about your father, Potter." "And I apologize for lying 
about the--" You get the picture. It would be ridiculous!
 
What I figure may happen is not mutual apologies but mutual 
acknowledgements. For instance, "Apparently you're not an exact
carbon copy of your father, Potter. There is much of your mother
in you." Or, "I suppose Dumbledore was right to trust you, Snape."
In other words, reluctant acknowledgement that they now see and
accept the truth about each other. That they aren't Harry the
carbon copy of James and Snape the evil DE murderer that each
was determined to see through their preconceptions and biases.
 
Julie, still believing actions speak louder than words when it
comes to apologizing/atoning (though either requires sincerity
of course).
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