Marietta/Did Snape set up the Pensieve scene?

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 169289

> Lizzyben:
> Hi, I've been wondering if maybe Snape deliberately let Harry look 
> into the Pensieve in "Snape's Worst Memory." This would accomplish 
a few
> things.

> Magpie:
> I have a problem with any plan where Snape intentionally lets Harry 
see his
> underwear. 

zgirnius:
I could not agree more. I think Harry seeing him in such a situation 
is the last thing he would want!

> Lizzyben:
> He asks Draco to search that very
> area for the missing student, and tells Draco to notify 
> him AT ONCE if Montague is found.

> Magpie:
> Draco doesn't act like Snape told him to
> search the bathroom that I remember.

zgirnius:
Indeed not. He implies that he has been searching the area with 
Umbridge at her orders, and was sent by her.

> OotP, "Snape's Worst Memory":
> 'Well, Draco, what is it?' asked Snape.

> 'It's Professor Umbridge, sir - she needs your help,' said Malfoy.

> They've found Montague, sir, he's turned up jammed inside a toilet 
> on the fourth floor.'

> Lizzyben:
> 
> 3.) Snape goes to his lesson with Harry. Before the lesson, he 
> removes the memories into the Pensieve in front of Harry, almost 
> tempting his curiosity. The text says that he "lazily" raised his 
> wand to begin the spell - every other time, Snape invokes the spell 
> immediately, giving Harry no chance to prepare. Why is he 
> acting "lazily" now? Because he's waiting. 
> 
> Magpie:
> Because they've been doing it for a while?

zgirnius:
Hee. However, the statement Lizzyben makes is simply false. In every 
instance shown in the book, Snape gives Harry time and warning before 
casting the spell:

> OotP, "Occlumency":
> "Brace yourself, now...Legilimens!"
> "Let's go again...on the count of three...one - two - three - 
> Legilimens!"
> "We shall try again! Get ready now! Legilimens!"

> OotP, "Seen and Unforseen":
> "One - two - three - Legilimens!"
> "On the count of three, then," said Snape, raising his wand one 
more. "One - two - (Harry is distracted by fears Snape is about to 
make him pay for seeing some of his memories) "Legilimens!"

zgirnius:
It is the only time he is said to be acting 'lazily' in the course of 
the lessons. He is also so described in CoS, "The Duelling Club", 
when he tells Harry not to move because of the snake. It seems to me, 
based on its earlier use, to suggest attitude on the part of Snape, 
not that he is waiting for something. Also, for him to expect Draco 
at exactly that moment is surely unreasonable even with the elaborate 
plot hypothesized. It could take more or less time to find Montague, 
and more or less time might be spent talking to him or attempting to 
provide him first aid.


> Lizzyben:
> 4.) On cue, Draco bursts in to tell Snape that Montague has been 
> found. Snape doesn't snarl at this intrusion, but remarks "very 
> well", and heads out of the office - leaving Harry behind. Snape 
> doesn't put back his memories, doesn't put away the Pensieve, and 
> doesn't escort Harry out. I find this odd - Snape has accused Harry 
> of rummaging through his office before, and closely guards his 
> privacy. Why would he suddenly leave Harry alone there? 

zgirnius:
Well, if it was all not an elaborate set up as you suggest, then 
Snape has just learned that one of his Slytherin students has shown 
up, possibly badly hurt, stuck in a toilet, after being gone for 
quite some time. And no competent adult is there helping yet. To 
leave with no further delay is reasonable.

Further, this same scenario already played out once before, when an 
earlier lesson was interrupted by the screams or Professor Trelawney. 
That time, Snape swept out to investigate, leaving Harry alone with 
the Pensieve. Harry followed Snape out. So Snape had reason, based on 
his past experience, to suppose that Harry would leave the office 
when dismissed.

I also don't get where the idea is coming from that showing Harry 
that James bullied Snape is a form of revenge for Snape. We, the 
readers, know that seeing this scene was painful for Harry. But Snape 
himself seems to expect Harry would be amused by his father's 
actions. Of course, you say he was acting in that scene, and thus 
perhgaps when he says "An amusing man, your father," but the 
assumption that Harry is arrogant like his father, and thus would 
find his arrogant behavior amusing, is an opinion Snape expresses 
quite consistently from PoA onwards. I do think this is because he 
believes it to be true, which means there is no way he would see 
showing this memory as a revenge.