CHAPDISC: DH33, The Prince's Tale

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 184874

> jkoney:
> There was no reason for Snape to know what he was telling Harry. 
> Snape is a spy. You don't give a spy more information than he needs. 
> There is always the possibility that he is going to get caught. There 
> is also the possibility that Voldemort knows about him already and is 
> playing Snape.

Zara:
Nothing I said indicates I disagree. In fact, I agree with this 
entirely. As, in my view, did Severus Snape.

> jkoney:
> In either scenario it dangerous and foolish to give Snape more 
> information than he needs.

Zara:
Exactly my point. If Snape is, after Albus's death, to continue to 
protect Harry, Snape DOES "need to know". And at the moment of the 
argument in the Forest, Snape still believes this will remain his #1 
mission after Albus is dead. I believe Snape is satisfied by what he 
learns in the office not because someone flatters him, but because it 
is explained to him that, in fact, he does not need to know after all.
Because Harry has to die, and Snape no longer needs to prevent that.

> jkoney:
> Do you really think that Snape would except hollow praise? Or 
> straight forward praise of any kind? Do communicate with Snape you 
> have to talk to him in a way that he understands. Prodding, teasing, 
> and sarcasm are things he understands.

Zara:
Are you suggesting that any praise of Snape would be hollow? <bg>

I don't recall him voicing any objections when Albus stated, "I am 
fortunate, extremely fortunate, to have you". Though he was (quite 
understandably) irritated to have had no advance warning he would be 
needed for emergency, high-level medical magical treatment, and to have 
been called in so late. That whole "need to know" thing again - if he 
is to treat ALbus effectively, being prepared in advance and/or called 
in earlier, would have permitted him to do his job better.