Snape's Memories

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 184934


> 
> 
> zanooda:
> 
> OK, maybe, only if subconsciously :-). You see, I think that 
> *consciously* Snape believed Harry was as much a jerk as his 
father, 
> so he wouldn't expect him to understand. Snape would expect Harry 
to 
> cheer and enjoy his humiliation, so there was no reason for him to 
> want to show the memory.


lizzyben:

Yep, probably, but I still wonder. By this point in the story, Snape 
has seen some of Harry's childhood memories. So he knows that Harry 
hasn't had the same spoiled, coddled existence that James did, and 
that Harry has also experienced being bullied & powerless. Right 
there, he knows that Harry isn't the same as James. 

Snape prefers to see Harry=James because that's emotionally 
convenient for him, but a part of him would have to know that that 
isn't true. Someone said on-list that the Occlumency lessons created 
empathy between them (though not sympathy.) In the sense that both 
recognize that they have had similar childhood experiences. 

And it's at that point that Snape inadvertently shares SWM. I think 
maybe the small emotionally-healthy part of Snape wanted to be 
forgiven by Harry. Because that's the only way he would ever be able 
to heal & forgive himself. And in DH, we know that Harry did 
eventually forgive him, based on those very same memories.

Potioncat:
And I might have liked to see a birthday party for Albus Severus that
Snape would have attended. "Gee, Uncle Sev, thanks for the bezoar."


lizzyben: 

Aww, that'd be kind of sweet, though improbable.


magpie:

But regardless the only way Sirius got involved was to give Snape
information on how to get into the willow. Snape's decision to go
into the willow was actually pretty well-informed. He knew the
dangerous creature concealed inside. He didn't know what form or
protection he would need or would use against him, it seems, but he
knew he didn't know that.


lizzyben: 

I totally agree. Snape knew, more or less, what he'd be getting into 
there. It wasn't a "prank" in the sense that Snape wasn't being 
tricked or fooled into entering a dangerous/humiliating situation. 
Maybe he thought the werewolf was restrained, but I tend to think he 
wasn't thinking that far ahead either way. Teenage boys aren't known 
for their foresight or catiousness, and both Sirius & Snape were 
being pretty typical reckless teenagers. IMO Snape's rage on the 
subject seems to be less about Sirius' actions & more about the 
consequences. He'd set out to prove to Lily that James was no good & 
only ending up proving to her that James was a heroic rescuer! And 
made himself look like weak & "ungrateful" in the process. LOL. Fail. 
That was the real turning point in the James/Lily relationship; it 
was all downhill for Snape from there.