Snape and Harry

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 188946



> 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> This is also reply to Nikkalmati, since she seems to be saying similar thing. I just do not want to quote too much.
> 
> See, I think I understand and agree that it will not be an apology if he is saying it to anybody else, but if it is expressed to another party who is involved, I think in essence it is an apology, judgment that is, even if the words I am sorry are not said.
> 
> Like see below what I wrote to Pippin, does it make sense? I mean if for example I say to victim of robbery, I am disgusted over the actions of the person who robbed you. How is it not my apology for a robber, even if I am not saying the words `I am sorry'? I will ask you off list tonight, ok, probably I just need to wrap my mind around subtle language differences.
> 
> Not that I MIND Harry saying that. I just feel that it is extremely unfair burden to place on him while not placing any burden on Snape.
> 


Nikkalmati

I am not sure I understand.  If I say to a friend, I am disgusted overthe actions of the person who robbed you, I am apologizing for the unkown robber?  No, not at all.  "I'm sorry" can have two meanings.  1. That's too bad. 2. I regret what I did.  In this context (apologize),  we are talking about I'm sorry as meaning I take responsibility for doing something wrong.  Harry cannot take responsibility for things that happened before he was born.  He could say "I'm sorry" to Snape in the meaning of it is too bad that happened to you.   

Nikkalmati

 > Alla:
snip
> In other words I want the party whom I consider really and truly guilty to START this reconciliation, not the boy who was unfairly attacked by that sad individual from the first lesson and oh surprise, this boy learned not to have any good feelings about this individual even when it is warranted.
> 
Nikkalmati

Whether I apologize depends on my own sense of right and wrong, not on whether the other person is worthy.

Nikkalmati
> 
> Pippin:
> I will say in defense of Harry that Snape was in no mood to listen to him, not
> that he ever was. 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> Right, to me I do not think that Harry needs any defense here, for not expressing the disgust, I mean, not for jumping in the pensieve.
> 
Nikkalmati

The day it happened was not the time to say anything.  Snape needed to cool off and Harry needed to adjust to what he had seen.  It would have had to happen later.

Nikkalmati

> Pippin:
> The sad thing is that Snape never gave himself a chance to
> know the real Harry, and never had a chance to let Harry know who he really was
> (Dumbledore's man and Lily's friend) until the moment of his death.
> 
> Alla:
> 
> That I agree with of course, but it is Snape's loss as far as I am concerned, definitely Snape's loss. I know I said it before, but I will say it again, Snape could have had Harry's affection so so easily IMO, Harry was ready to love any father's figure, anybody who shows him a bit of kindness and Snape could have had a part of Lily at least liking him.  Instead this is how he treated the child of the woman he loved.
>
Nikkalmati

Agreed, but we know who is to blame - JKR.  :>).

Nikkalmati