Harry, Snape and Dementors WAS: Re: CHAPTER Chamber of Secrets Chapter 18:

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 189348



> 
> Pat:
> I am having a hard time understanding why you don't think Harry should learn an alternate method for dealing with dementors.  We have canon showing us that the Patronus charm doesn't always work (when you don't have the requisite positive feelings) - even Harry has had trouble twice ::in canon.::  To me, it makes sense that knowing another way to get rid of dementors would be valuable.  We know that even Harry has trouble with the Patronus charm in some really serious situations - why should we doubt the teacher, even Snape, in trying to teach all students another method to deal with this?  

Alla:

If Snape would have given Harry an Outstanding for acknowledging his method and still asked him to learn another one, different story.  As it is, I am doubting Snape's good faith.

He did not even acknowledge Patronus in theory. I am not asking him to show it in practice.


Pat: 
> I would also contend with your supposition that Snape has no idea that the Patronus charm exists, and that one purpose is to fend off dementors.  Snape absolutely has knowledge of this charm - we see it when he shows DD his patronus is a doe - to say that he had no idea it would work on a dementor seems rather silly to me.  Assuming (yes, I know it's dangerous to assume :P ) that both Snape and Lupin learned a Patronus from DD, why would Lupin know to use it on dementors, but not Snape?  That makes no sense to me.  It seems to me that Snape knows an alternate - easier - way of dealing with the dementors, and that's what he wants the essay to be on.  This is well within the scope of teaching - looking at more than one way to achieve the same results.  But Harry refuses to learn from Snape, when he knows it's Snape (whereas through the HBP's potions book, he's eager, and learns well.)  No, I'm certain Snape knows what the charm can do.  
> 
> Thanks for a good argument, Alla! :o)
> 
> ~Pat, ready to go back to lurking!
>


Alla:

Heee, please do not go back to lurking. I am ready to agree that he knows a charm, but see to me it is one or another, either he is acting in bad faith toward Harry, RE: not acknowledging that method that works deserves a good grade OR he does not know it.

Quite frankly I am convinced that he is acting in bad faith, but I am willing to entertain the possibility that he does not know that.

Do you see the third possibility?