Well, I'm not going to defend Snape's fairness, because I agree that Snape is not being fair. But what I think is important, here, is that Snape, however hostile he may be, is treating Harry like a human being. He is speaking to him frankly -- this is what I think of you, this is why I don't like you -- which, paradoxical as it may be, implies a kind of respect that silence and manipulation simply don't. It's an authentic communication, and Harry has the chance to reply and chooses not to.
I don't agree that Snape's prior behavior with the points excuses Harry's refusal to speak. The points business may, again, be unfair and disproportionate, but Snape is clearly within his rights. The trio is whispering in class, they're reading a newspaper -- it's an open and shut case, and there's no need to hear excuses. He may be unreasonably severe here (and more severe than he would be with others) but his motives are perfectly clear and defensible, he's not being obscure about them. The Trio know where they stand, and why.
And as soon as Snape separates the Trio after this incident, as soon as he secures a reasonably private opportunity to talk to Harry, he does talk. And Harry doesn't.
Snape is being a hard-ass, but there's a personal connection there, a personal message. Harry is refusing to recognize Snape even as a person.
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Date: 2006-01-18 07:30 pm (UTC)I don't agree that Snape's prior behavior with the points excuses Harry's refusal to speak. The points business may, again, be unfair and disproportionate, but Snape is clearly within his rights. The trio is whispering in class, they're reading a newspaper -- it's an open and shut case, and there's no need to hear excuses. He may be unreasonably severe here (and more severe than he would be with others) but his motives are perfectly clear and defensible, he's not being obscure about them. The Trio know where they stand, and why.
And as soon as Snape separates the Trio after this incident, as soon as he secures a reasonably private opportunity to talk to Harry, he does talk. And Harry doesn't.
Snape is being a hard-ass, but there's a personal connection there, a personal message. Harry is refusing to recognize Snape even as a person.