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

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 185823

 
> Alla:
> 
> Flitwick got excited **himself**, he did not call Harry upon his 
> celebrity status and did not draw any conclusions about Harry's 
> enjoyment or not of his celebrity status. I do not see what he did 
as 
> nearly as bad as what Snape did.
> 

Potioncat:
It seems that many of the Hogwarts staff was eager to meet the son of 
James and Lily---and it seems his fame as The Boy Who Lived played 
some part in the teachers' eagerness. Flitwick, bless his soul, lost 
control at the actual meeting. He didn't fall on purpose. 

On top of that, students of all levels were going out of their way to 
get a glimpse of Potter. He was being whispered about in the halls. I 
imagine the Slytherins were also a buzz about the potential new Dark 
Lord, and Snape may have heard about Draco's rebuffed expression of 
friendship---with a Draco spin of course.

The other teachers seemed to be looking for a boy who was the best of 
James and Lily. Snape was looking for a boy who was the worst of 
James. In superficial ways, Harry was like James and that was enough 
to make Snape think of Harry as James. 

 
> Alla:
> 
> To me the revenge was (as I see it) in starting questioning Harry 
> specifically, thinking that there is no way he can no the answers 
and 
> commenting on his celebrity status, something that Snape IMO had no 
> business doing in the first place.

Potioncat:
Snape was expecting a swelled-headed James Potter in his class. A 
disruption by his very presence. He was diffusing the celebrity--at 
least in his classroom. 

Was it nice? No. Was it right? Not sure. McGonagall didn't have a 
problem with the celebrity, but she had a classroom of only 
Gryffindors, and Harry's celebrity reflected well on her house.

I really enjoyed the way JKR slowly revealed the story over the 7 
books. Knowing more about the Snape/Evans/Potter history helps 
explain some of Snape's motivation. Although, I still find it 
difficult to understand why Snape dosen't see anything of Lily in 
Harry. Unless he also blames Harry for Lily's death.