GoF CH 27-29 Post DH look

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 182145

Carol:
<SNIP>
We *know* that Snape is Dumbledore's man. We *know* that he's
protecting Harry but doesn't want Harry (or anyone else) to know that.
If he tries to help Harry openly ("Don't worry, Potter. Dumbledore is
coming downstairs in a moment") or gives him the password, Harry would
be suspicious and Snape's (self-imposed) cover will be blown.

Alla:

Sorry, what Snape's cover will be blown if he, I don't know gives 
Harry the password as you suggest below? I do not recall Harry 
deciding that Snape is a Voldemort's servant just yet.

Carol:
 (We have
Harry's perception via the narrator that Snape is thoroughly enjoying
himself, which may or may not be accurate, but Snape can enjoy seeming
to thwart Harry and help him by detaining him at the same time, just
as, in HBP, he seems to be helping Draco but is really trying to
thwart him.)

Alla:

Of course, that he can.

Carol:
So he gives Harry a hard time (which is what I meant by "tease"--it's
better than what the Twins do to Dudley Dursley!) and helps him at the
same time, exactly as he does in PoA when he discovers the Marauder's
Map and suspects that it's helping Harry to get into Hogsmeade where
he's not supposed to be.

Alla:

Exactly as in PoA? I do not remember Snape directly or indirectly 
helping Harry in PoA when he lectured him about his bad father.

His lecture was probably caused by concern for Harry's life, that I 
can see, but all that I saw was Snape hurting Harry, so I do not see 
what was in that accident exactly as in PoA, IMO of course.


Carol:
If, as I suspect, DD has told Snape that he'll be coming downstairs in
a moment (perhaps, as Potioncat suggests, after he puts his memories
back in his head), Snape is not delaying the process at all (or only
by the short time that it takes to speak a few sentences apiece). He's
just keeping Harry where Harry needs to be when DD emerges a very
short time later. Nor does Snape need to have been ordered by DD to
detain Harry; protecting Harry and knowing what he's up to is already
Snape's business. IMO, he's finding out what Harry is up to by
questioning (and taunting) him, and, once he has the general idea,
keeping him at the foot of the stairs until DD comes down.

Alla:

Yes, I do understand the argument, I am just not buying it for the 
reasons stated upthread.

Carol:
 And note
that Dumbledore shows no sign of irritation with Snape; he knows how
Snape operates.

Alla:

How is it supposed to explain anything? The fact that Dumbledore 
failed to stop Snape's poison coming from his mouth ( my comparison 
obviously) at Harry and some other kids only makes me disrespect 
Dumbledore, that's all. Yes, Dumbledore knows how Snape operates all 
right.

Carol:
The only way that Snape could have speeded up the process would be to
give Harry the password as Harry requested, which I doubt that he has
permission to do (and in any case, Harry rushing up the stairs would
only meet DD coming down, which DD does anyway a very short time
later).

Alla:

FINALLY, we came to the most IMO logical explanation what Snape that 
in my view really would have wanted to help Harry would have done.

And I am just amused how easily you seem to dismiss that. Where is 
any proof that Snape did not have permission to give password to 
Headmaster's office to student in distress?

Didn't Minerva escort Harry to Dumbledore's office in CoS and she 
says the password with Harry being there and seem to not ask him to 
close his ears or anything like that?

Why exactly Snape's situation is different? You are arguing that if 
badly wounded student comes to see Headmaster and Snape would not let 
him in for example?

No need to do the convoluted keeping Harry outside IMO if Snape 
REALLY wanted to help.

Carol:
 Instead, Snape says, "The headmaster is busy, Potter," which
informs Harry that DD is indeed in his office and keeps him from
rushing off again in the wrong direction.

Alla:

Not in my opinion it does not. Headmaster could have been busy 
anywhere and the only thing IMO which keeps Harry from running of is 
his anger and panic

Carol:
It's quite simple, really. Had Snape not come out of DD's office when
he did and kept him there by questioning him and seeming to disbelieve
what he said, Harry would have run to the staff room and missed DD
altogether. Harry *thinks* that Snape is thwarting him (as Snape
appears to be doing), but we already know that Snape is watching over
and protecting Harry even when it seems otherwise.

Alla:

Yes, it is indeed quite simple. And I am asking the same question 
which I asked Potioncat, but a little different. Say Harry would have 
run away anyways. I did not notice Snape using any magical compulsion 
on him. What would have happened then?

Carol:

Step 1) Call him back from going the wrong direction.

Step 2) Detain him by questioning and seeming to doubt him.

Step 3) Inform him subtly that DD is in his office and prevent him
from running off on a wild goose chase.

Step 4) Step aside when the job is done and DD comes out.
<SNIP>

Alla:

OR do ONE step, if you really want to help.

Really simple one - **give Harry the password**

JMO,

Alla