First lesson WAS: Re: Marietta, was Slytherin's Reputation

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 185781

 
> Alla:
> 
> No, but I believe that Snape's bullying was to produce that effect, 
> that this is something Snape would have dearly liked to see. Again, 
> IMO.
> 

Pippin:
Since it never happens, we can't know that. You are telling me your
issue is with Snape's behavior, and I believe that, but  Snape's
intentions and desires are not behavior, IMO. And as they can't be
measured, how is Dumbledore to know whether Snape has changed them or not?

Dumbledore could certainly order Snape to act as if he liked Harry.
But I really do not see how that would help.

> Alla:
> 
> It did not feel to me that Harry was feeling very brave when he was 
> going to Snape for Occlumency lessons and he did not break any rules
 yet. I think this was a cumulative effect of all previous five years.

Pippin:
He felt nervous, as anyone would if they had to enter an enclosed
dungeon  lined with slimy things in jars, and stand there, eyes
closed, while a much more powerful person aimed a weapon at them. Plus
Sirius had planted the idea that Snape was still working for
Voldemort. It may be that Snape's hostility helped Harry to believe
that, but OTOH, he suspected Karkaroff on Sirius's suspicions alone.

 
> Alla:
> 
> Yes, Mcgonagall is centuries ahead than Snape to me in that 
> department, she is flexible enough to change her opinion of Neville,
 contrary to Snape's opinion about Harry.

Pippin:
How did she change her opinion? She still did not think he was good
enough at Transfiguration to continue the course.

> 
> Alla:
> 
> LOL. You seriously think that Snape would have wanted to be in 
> Azkaban?
> 
> I would think he would not have lasted very long there, but of
course  just speculating.

Pippin:
There would be a lot more people in Azkaban if Dumbledore's word was
enough to put them there. It isn't. 

> 
> Alla:
> 
> Which way that would be?

Pippin:
Any of the ways in which other known or suspected Death Eaters have
walked free. 

> Alla:
> 
> Not quite, only because Dumbledore wears too many hats IMO. I see 
> Dumbledore as Headmaster of the school who should fire teacher who 
> IMO abuses his authority over the students (some students), but of 
> course since Dumbledore also a leader of Order of Phoenix, we have 
> all that additional stuff.

Pippin:
I don't think it's a matter of two hats. If the Head of the Order was
someone that Dumbledore trusted, and he said it was a matter of
national security and the students' personal safety that Snape
continue to work at Hogwarts, would Dumbledore have done things any
differently?

 
> Alla:
> 
> I think it is a perfect solution actually, if Dumbledore was so 
> afraid of coming face to face with Harry, just writes him a freaking
 letter, for goodness sake.

Pippin:
Dumbledore  does not want to encourage Voldemort to use Harry to
manipulate him, so telling Harry that this is the danger he is trying
to avoid won't work as long as Harry's mind and Voldemort's are
linked. Telling him in a letter will not be much safer than telling
him in person. However, no argument from me that Dumbledore let Harry
down. He says so himself.

Pippin