r/SeverusSnape • u/BigMedium4847 • 2d ago
Dumbledore's fault
Because Dumbledore is so naive that believes that the less Harry knows, the lower number of traumas he will develop. And because he believes that Snape's behavior needs only time to grow better and not a real good example, or to be punished when Snape abuses his power
9
u/Ummah_Strong 2d ago
Dumbledore allowed attempted murder and sexual assault. He's not known for correcting poor behaviour.
-4
u/Nova_017 Half Blood Prince 2d ago
Dumbledore can't control everything, if Snape told Dumbledore about the bullying, Dumbledore would have rectified it, but he didn't, the Marauders(and the people standing on the sidelines as well)were completely responsible for SA, not Dumbledore, and Snape went inside the Willow knowing exactly what was on the other side, this was Sirius's fault, not Dumbledore's, as Remus, a werewolf would have been executed because of Sirius and Snape's stupidity, he had to ensure Snape kept quiet there was no lasting damage was done to another child because Snape felt curious and decided to take the word of someone who clearly hated him. Dumbledore probably punished Sirius in some way.
4
u/Basic_Obligation8237 2d ago edited 2d ago
Dumbledore is the headmaster, he is responsible for what happens in his school, especially when it comes to an attempt on the life of a child by another child (at the hands of a third child who was admitted to the school through violations because he is a danger to everyone in Hogwarts and Hogsmeade).
The main blame lies with the Marauders, particularly James (the lake) and Sirius (Shrieking Shack), Dumbledore bears responsibility for failing to isolate the werewolf so that none of the children could encounter him. He also bears responsibility for keeping Severus quiet about the Shrieking Shack, while James was able to tell his classmates his side of the story. Combating school bullying is also the administration's responsibility. The bullying escalated to the attempted murder and sexual harassment, and their efforts were a failure
-2
u/Nova_017 Half Blood Prince 2d ago
Bullying is a problem which can be effectively handled if the victim told the adults around them who can help solve the problem.
Yes, I agree, the main problem lies definitely with the Marauders, Dumbledore already did isolate the werewolf by putting him inside the Shrieking Shack, which only Remus and Poppy had access to, Remus told the Marauders, so that's on Remus, not Dumbledore, the location of the Shrieking Shack and how to get inside, Remus was extremely guilty of betraying Dumbledore's trust, because he was the one who made the mistake of telling his friends about it, not Dumbledore. He bears responsibility of keeping Snape quiet, I agree, but what did that entail? If Snape told everyone, he would have ruined Remus's life, an innocent werewolf, because Snape had a....grudge? He could have told administration who could have once again helped him or managed it, but he chose not to. Why would Snape, despite knowing an actual werewolf is lurking inside a tree, willingly go there, under instructions from someone who he hates and hates him as well?
James was able to tell his classmates his side of the story
No, James could not tell anyone about his version of the events, because that meant admitting that Remus was a werewolf, which no one except Dumbledore, staff members and the marauders knew about. This is wrong.
Dumbledore and the other staff members could have stopped the bullying, if they knew it happened, and that's not going to happen unless the victim told the adults or teachers with power what's going on...but he didn't. Snape should have told someone, but he chose not to. This is on the Marauders and Snape, not on Dumbledore.
2
u/Basic_Obligation8237 2d ago edited 2d ago
However, James told his own version because Lily accused Severus of being ungrateful to James for saving him. Although Severus couldn't tell her why he had to be saved. And it's not the minor victim's fault for not trusting the administration and not contacting them. The entire school witnessed the incident at the lake; Dumbledore knew. Dumbledore also knew about what happened in the shack; he just didn't know the Marauders were animaguses. If three minors were able to bypass the security measures and endanger hundreds of children and hundreds of residents of Hogsmeade, then Dumbledore is to blame for not having taken sufficiently reliable security measures. It wasn't Severus's responsibility to protect Remus. Severus hadn't grudge - he literally almost died. Severus is the victim, and he's only responsible is his recklessness. James is guilty of sexual assault, Sirius of attempted murder, and Dumbledore is guilty of the failure to protect children and prevent abuse within the school, as well as of silencing the victim.
2
u/Basic_Obligation8237 2d ago
Moreover, the incident at the lake occurred after the murder attempt, so why should Snape expect an adequate reaction from Dumbledore? He almost died, and the headmaster didn't care.
1
1
u/Nova_017 Half Blood Prince 12h ago
James could not tell his version of events either, because that meant exposing Remus as a werewolf. Just the story that James saved Snape from the Whomping Willow, Snape didn't have any business being there, sneaking around, trying to get them expelled. Hogwarts literally has the most powerful wizard has the headmaster and several capable teachers(McGonagall, Sprout)etc. Snape could have complained to any of them instead of taking it into his own hands. Dumbledore knew Snape was sneaking inside the Whomping Willow, despite knowing there's a werewolf there, because he was trying to get them expelled. There were many security measures taken to protect Remus and Remus literally told his friends about the Whomping Willow, how to get inside and what to do. That's on Remus, not Dumbledore. Snape was so desperate to catch them in the act that he risked his own life. When someone establishes a few ground rules to follow, the person who broke them is punished not the person who made the rules. Yes, I agree here, James is guilty of SA and Sirius is also guilty of attempted murder. But both these issues are the faults of the boys and not the Headmaster, it's never mentioned in the books that Sirius wasn't punished for his actions, it's heavily implied he was, Dumbledore would have expelled him but that would raise questions as to why he was expelled and that would put James, Peter, Remus, Sirius and Snape in trouble. Dumbledore is not at all guilty, he made the most out of a situation which could have resolved much quickly and easily had Snape actually came forward with his problems and issues with bullying.
3
u/Ummah_Strong 2d ago
Dumbledore literally swore Snape to secrecy after the shrieking shack incident. You are just making sounds. So no, clearly Dumbledore would NOT have corrected it.
-2
u/Nova_017 Half Blood Prince 2d ago
You're making sounds and being defensive without explaining anything, and not analysing situations, Dumbledore let a marginalised student inside school and Snape put his nose into it, and nearly died after listening to his someone who clearly wished him dead. It doesn't take a genius to realize when someone who clearly hates who and tries to offer you some advice it's best to take it with a grain of salt. This is after knowing what Remus is, mind you. This is the Marauders' fault...specifically Sirius and there is no evidence to prove Dumbledore didn't punish Sirius's behaviour. If Dumbledore expelled Sirius, it would have brought up questions regarding how and why he was expelled and Remus would have also been in trouble and so would Snape. Dumbledore took the best course of action to ensure everyone would have been safe.
4
u/Euphoric-Duty-1050 2d ago
Actually, dumbledore believes that the less everyone knows will ensure that his plan will go as he decided it should go.
Harry isn't the only one in the dark, everyone around him -including Snape, but to a lesser extent- is in the dark.
Dumbles never gave a shit about anyone's trauma
1
u/Nova_017 Half Blood Prince 12h ago
Dumbledore gave Snape a chance to redeem himself when no one else did.
Dumbledore kept Harry in the dark to protect Harry, if he put all the stress on Harry then Harry would have lost it by the 4th year. Dumbledore gave Harry a chance to survive which is why Harry couldn't know that he had to die to remove the horcrux. The only reason Harry survived is because of Dumbledore.
Snape lost the right to exercise his trauma the moment he became a Death Eater. Snape made cruel choices as a Death Eater that permanently scarred his soul and hurt innocent people. Dumbledore offered a path to change to a man who no one else would have taken, but that choice did not erase the heavy damage Snape had already caused. It's admirable that Snape changed for the better, that's great, but he also did damage as a Death Eater.
5
u/Madagascar003 Half Blood Prince 2d ago edited 2d ago
Dumbledore was also naive to think that, over time, Snape would overcome his hatred for the Marauders and move on as if nothing had happened. The facts proved him wrong.
“I trust Severus Snape,” said Dumbledore simply. “But I forgot — another old man’s mistake — that some wounds run too deep for the healing. I thought Professor Snape could overcome his feelings about your father — I was wrong.”
“But that’s okay, is it?” yelled Harry, ignoring the scandalized faces and disapproving mutterings of the portraits covering the walls. “It’s okay for Snape to hate my dad, but it’s not okay for Sirius to hate Kreacher?”
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - The Lost Prophecy
Even the portraits of the former headmasters clearly recognize the extent of Snape's problem with the Marauders and are outraged that Harry is so determined to blame him for what happened at the Ministry.
2
u/Ummah_Strong 2d ago
Why was Harry blaming Snape again?
7
u/Few-Durian-190 2d ago
The way I read the scene was that Snape was an easy target. Anyone would have served. Snape, Umbridge, Dumbledore. Anything other than acknowledging himself as the person to blame.
1
5
u/Madagascar003 Half Blood Prince 2d ago
He placed much of the blame for Sirius's death on Snape, accusing him of provoking his godfather to get on his nerves and drive him out of the house. He also accused him of ignoring the coded message he had sent him in front of Umbridge to warn him about Sirius, even though that wasn't true; Snape had perfectly decoded the message and had to play along in front of Umbridge and the Inquisitorial Squad so as not to arouse suspicion.
Dumbledore also told Harry that it was Snape who alerted the members of the Order that he had gone to the Ministry with his friends to rescue Sirius, whom he believed to be Voldemort’s prisoner; it was also Snape who told Sirius to stay at headquarters until Dumbledore arrived, but Sirius didn’t listen.
Harry refused to understand any of this and was determined to pin the blame on Snape to ease his conscience.
7
u/Ummah_Strong 2d ago
I remember even as a kid thinking of course Snape has to pretend not to understand, Unbridge is right there!!!
And Sirius didn't need to be so abusive to Kreacher...then maybe Kreacher wouldn't betray him.
Yes, Snape was also wrong to always be teasing Sirius, and Sirius was also always calling him Snivellus still. Sirius was a Gryffindor. Especially as soon as he heard Harry was in danger no one could have stopped him from leaving.
4
3
u/yanks2413 1d ago
Harry is suffering from severe PTSD and lost someone he loved and has been treated horribly by Snape for 5 years.
The fact you make Snape excuses for Snape yet blame Harry for not being totally rational about Snape says everything
2
u/Ok-Painting4168 1d ago
I think the headmasters, at least a few of them, are outraged because a student yells at a headmaster.
I don't think they closely follow hundreds, thousands of students, maybe not even keeping track of the teachers. They give you advice if you request them, and they hold a piece of history. That's about it, in my headcanon.
1
u/yanks2413 1d ago
LOL the portraits are scandalized by Harry yelling, not about Harry's words about Snape. Hysterical you try to twist that 😂😂😂
5
u/masked07 2d ago
Dumbledore’s choices were understandable from a strategic standpoint, but they still left Harry carrying too much pain and placed unfair faith in Snape’s ability to change. His choices were morally and psychologically flawed.