CHAPTER DISCUSSION Chamber of Secrets Ch. 5. The Whomping Willow

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 188809


Lealess:
<SNIP>
Did he really want Potter to be expelled? I start from the premise that Snape
was trying to fulfill his vow to protect the son of a woman he loved and whose
death he felt responsible for. I think this is what Rowling wanted us to
believe, that no matter how imperfect Snape was, he kept his word and worked
under Dumbledore's orders. If you accept this premise, then it should logically
follow that Snape's actions sought to protect Potter, in the short run, and
achieve the greater good, in the long run. Protecting Potter could have meant
either placing him with the Dursleys on a more permanent basis, or it could have
meant making him aware that he couldn't be irresponsible in a dangerous world
where, if Muggles could see Potter in a flying car, Death Eaters could see him,
as well.

Alla:

But isn't this circular reasoning? You start with the premise that Snape was trying to fulfill the vow to protect Harry which I agree that he tried, but I am also pointing out the facts (Snape arguing that Harry needs to be expelled so many times) that may contradict that premise and you discard them because you think this premise is uncontroverted? 

Lealess:
<SNIP>
I think the problem you are having interpreting Snape's actions is that you
start from the premise that Snape is selfish, weak and evil. To me, this
premise was invalidated with The Prince's Tale. If, as you say, you have no
canon to support your speculations, I suggest you examine the assumptions you
seek to support in the first place.

Alla:

No, I do not view Snape as selfish, weak and evil (evil as in serving Voldemort), I just view him as child abuser evil and certainly by the end of his life I do not view him as selfish and weak, not that I find it relevant to this dilemma of mine. If you could show me a canon where Snape says he does not want to expel Harry, or where he does not bring up expulsion once and does not have any other interests in situation (like not wanting Draco  expelled), I will certainly acknowledge it.

So no this is not the problem I am having and no, I did not say that I do not have the canon to support my speculations. I said that I do not have the canon to support one speculation, specifically the *reason* why Snape may want Harry expelled. That what I was referring to, not to the argument that Snape really does want him expelled, only to the reason besides it. I think canon fact is that Snape brings up the expulsion multiple times. I do not see how from that we can assume that Snape does not want Harry expelled.

JMO,

Alla