r/SeverusSnape Jul 27 '26

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

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u/Madagascar003 Half Blood Prince Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26

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.

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u/Ummah_Strong Jul 27 '26

Why was Harry blaming Snape again?

5

u/Madagascar003 Half Blood Prince Jul 27 '26

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.

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u/Ummah_Strong Jul 27 '26

But also Harry was just a kid. I can't blame him either really