Hidden in Plain Sight (was:POA CHAPTER 2 DISCUSSION)

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 189419

> > Mike previously: 
> > "... Snape did take up where Dursley left off. Except the
> > Dursleys didn't become moot until OotP, when Harry no longer
> > paid them any attention"

> dzturtleshell responds: I don't know if I agree that Snape took
> up Vernon Dursley's role once Harry got to Hogwarts. I've always
> seen Vernon as an oppressor, trying to "squash" out Harry's magic
> (and accordingly, Harry's individuality and spirit).

Mike now:
Well, it's a parallel, not a copy, this Dursley to Snape hand-off. And like I said, the Dursleys remained an important, if only malignant, part of Harry's life up to GoF. Meaning Harry had to deal with the Dursleys and their rules while home for the summer, and Snape and the Hogwarts rules while at school.


> dzturtleshell continued:
> Snape on the other hand provided Harry with some balance. Harry 
> was welcomed to Hogwarts with a barrage of praise and adulation
> for feats which he had little, if any, conscious control over.
> Snape was a constant reminder of this. ... <snip>
> ... Snape kept Harry humble.

Mike:
I don't know that Snape was so interested in balance as he was in some familial revenge. He had vowed to protect Harry, not befriend him. And clearly, Snape did not want Harry's friendship. IMHO, Snape was not onboard with Dumbledore in DD's quest to mold Harry into a Voldemort fighting machine. (or would that be sacrificial lamb? No matter, Snape wasn't onboard for that, either.)

Yes, Snape and Dursley diverged on the magic part. But they both exhibited a quashing mentality when it came to Harry. If I were to guess, I suppose Snape thought that a meeker and more passive Harry would be easier to protect than a Harry that was determined to fight Voldemort. Just a guess, I don't really fathom the mind of Severus Snape.


> dzturtleshell continued:
> Can you imagine dealing with an adolescent famous for being "The
> Chosen One"? Yikes - I think I might try to find a way to keep
> that kid's head out of the clouds, too!

Mike:
Why? What's so wrong with Harry being special? Clearly he is, and yet, as Dumbledore argues to Snape shortly after Harry arrives at Hogwarts, Harry doesn't have his head in the clouds. Harry is respectful towards all of his teachers, even Snape, until Snape berates him enough to elicit a little cheek. 

And who is Severus Snape to decide that the famous Harry Potter needs taking down a notch? Setting aside his abonimable methods for the moment, Snape is Harry's teacher not his psychologist nor even his head of house. If Harry does something wrong, Snape can take house points, give detentions, etc. But Snape goes after Harry for existing, and looking too much like his father. Vernon Dursley also abhors Harry because he exists and Vernon can't get rid of him. They both treat Harry cruely for the same reason, Harry exists. IMHO.



> dzturtleshell concluded:
> Also, you point out that Snape was less important to Harry
> throughout OotP and HBP. I agree that this was a great way for
> JKR to throw us off the trail of Snape's true loyalties and
> motivations. But I think it is also a sign of Harry's maturation,
> he's relying less on external perspectives and is learning to
> trust his own instincts and ideas about himself     <snip>

Mike:
Yes, Harry did become more independent. I think viewing SWM forced him to think critically of his father for the first time. Not that he shouldn't have vehemently defended his father to Aunt Marge, in this chapter.

At the same time, Harry pretty much stops caring what Snape thinks of him. That was exhibited when Harry writes his Dementor essay and doesn't care if he gets a bad grade from Snape. As you said, he is becoming confident in his own perspective of himself.

~Mike