How Tall is Harry?

[kumainpink]

And it's not like that would ever happen. Severus is too stuck in his ways. In a way, he and Petunia share that same trait.

[sherza]

Maybe it's because I have a soft spot for the jerk, but I think that under the right circumstances, Severus *could* have got his head out of his ass.

I strongly suspect Dumbledore helped Severus' issues along, either by simply not doing anything, and letting Severus wallow and blow things out of proportion in his head, or by actively making comments about 'James' son' this and that, constantly reminding Severus of his tormentor and linking him with Harry.

Whereas if Severus had gotten some therapy, and/or the Lily button had been pushed rather than the James one, he might have been all right. Or even if Minerva had told him WHO Dumbledore left Harry with ... surely Severus remembers Petunia and what an ass she was as a child!

[kumainpink]

I'll consent to him changing, with support and therapy. Or maybe the Lily button. I'd have rather seen him get help myself. It's sad to think that he spent so many years in that awful bitterness, with it growing worse each year.

[SkullAuror107]

I agree with Kuma on Snape being to stuck in his ways, but I also agree with what Sherza says about him getting the right help. Which is why I love the way you write him. You write him as what I think a true Slytherin would be. Looking out for what's best for them.

The fact that everyone compares Harry to James doesn't really help his viewpoint on Harry in the slightest. His only experiences with James are of the bullying variety, so when people tell him that Harry is just like his father all he can see is the boy who tormented him in school.

I also doubt he had anyone to confide in after his friendship with Lily ended. So he had been alone with his thoughts and regrets since he was 16. Maybe if he did have someone who was there for him he could have been a better person.

All this makes me wonder if there is any wizarding therapy. Not for nothing but it seems like a great deal of Hogwarts would need some sort of counseling...particularly after the Chamber and the Third Task.

[physicssquid]

I don't think there is any wizarding therapy. Everyone seems to have to deal with their problems by themselves.

[sherza]

Jul 7, 2012 16:09:04 GMT -5 SkullAuror107 said:

I agree with Kuma on Snape being to stuck in his ways, but I also agree with what Sherza says about him getting the right help. Which is why I love the way you write him. You write him as what I think a true Slytherin would be. Looking out for what's best for them.

Was that aimed at me? (the liking how I write Snape). If so, thank you very much. I do try to do him justice. In my head, he is so much more than the near-caricature JKR paints him as.

The fact that everyone compares Harry to James doesn't really help his viewpoint on Harry in the slightest. His only experiences with James are of the bullying variety, so when people tell him that Harry is just like his father all he can see is the boy who tormented him in school.

I also doubt he had anyone to confide in after his friendship with Lily ended. So he had been alone with his thoughts and regrets since he was 16. Maybe if he did have someone who was there for him he could have been a better person.

Tell me about it! I mean, c'mon. Snape was pretty much the school pariah, from what we've seen. Poor as hell, enough so that he was essentially that generation's Weasleys (second and third hand clothes, books, and equipment), poor hygeine, probably a result of that lack of money (no hot water(or water at all at some points!)/shampoo to wash with frequently), a half-blood in a traditionally Pureblood House ... and a Slytherin. Even if he HAD been like James, with a charming personality, he'dve had a hell of a time of it. As it was ... yeah. Poor guy.

All this makes me wonder if there is any wizarding therapy. Not for nothing but it seems like a great deal of Hogwarts would need some sort of counseling...particularly after the Chamber and the Third Task.

The wizarding world probably doesn't. There are small indications that Alice Longbottom at the very least might possibly be salvageable ... she does seem to recognize her son on some level, even a decade-plus after the fact. It's conceivable that with modern Muggle methods, she might have been reachable in the aftermath of her torture, and even later on, but the wizards just tossed her and Frank into the loony bin and forgot about them, more or less. There doesn't seem to have been any attempt at rehabilitation. It's probably the same for other things, especially with the existence of things like Cheering Charms. 'Bummed out? Fix it yourself!'

That said, Snape being a halfblood, he'd know about Muggle therapy and while he probably couldn't tell a therapist everything (hello, magic!) he could tell them the bulk of it.

[SkullAuror107]

Yes, that was aimed at you. I love the depth you've given Snape. It makes him likable, which is something I have problems doing when it come to him.

You would think that with the amount of Muggleborns and half-bloods (I think I read somewhere that they outnumbered pure-bloods, but don't hold me to that) out there one of them would have introduced the concept to the wizarding world.

As for Snape going to therapy, I can't see him doing that willingly. He'd need one hell of a push to go to one and unfortunately I don't think anyone cares that much about him to give him that push.

[Silvertongue]

I have to agree with that. Snape would NEVER go to a therapist of his own volition. Someone to hold his hand and pat him on the shoulder while he broke down in tears, saying "it's okay and perfectly healthy to grieve like this"? I really can't see that happening. The image of it makes me just snort with laughter.

[sherza]

Jul 7, 2012 17:47:47 GMT -5 SkullAuror107 said:

Yes, that was aimed at you. I love the depth you've given Snape. It makes him likable, which is something I have problems doing when it come to him.

You would think that with the amount of Muggleborns and half-bloods (I think I read somewhere that they outnumbered pure-bloods, but don't hold me to that) out there one of them would have introduced the concept to the wizarding world.

As for Snape going to therapy, I can't see him doing that willingly. He'd need one hell of a push to go to one and unfortunately I don't think anyone cares that much about him to give him that push.

Awwwwwwww *blush* Thank you.

And yes, halfbloods and Muggleborns WAY outnumber purebloods.

Weasley's aside, the vast majority of purebloods only have one kid. There are a few exceptions, but they're rare.

Compared to *how* many halfbloods? And Muggleborns that arrive every year? Yeah, the purebloods are MASSIVELY outnumbered.

Agreed that Snape would need a push to go to therapy, but he at least knows it exists, and would be able to talk to someone without revealing the Magical world if he went, since the bulk of his problems can be covered without going into the whole magic thing.

Though I will say that ... therapy is not always about patting someone on the back when they cry. You can deal with the demons of the past without becoming a crying wreck, and Snape would be *exactly* the type of person to go that route.

[brokenquill92]

Well last of the pure bloods are supposed to to die out within the next two or three generations

[Silvertongue]

Oh yeah, I know therapy isn't like that really, but I still don't see him ever consenting to talk about how he's feeling or what he thinks of things or doing any kind of activity they might assign/suggest he tries. I can see him sitting guardedly on a sofa across from some woman who has a cup of tea and is chatting to him and he just comes out with derogatory comments and looks down his nose at her and when she tries to probe deeper with her questions he'd snap at her and storm out.

That's just one way I can imagine it going. Again, I know that's not how therapy goes but my view of it is very limited to what I've seen on TV.

[sherza]

Jul 7, 2012 18:24:10 GMT -5 Silvertongue said:

I can see him sitting guardedly on a sofa across from some woman who has a cup of tea and is chatting to him and he just comes out with derogatory comments and looks down his nose at her and when she tries to probe deeper with her questions he'd snap at her and storm out.

*falls over laughing* Oh dear god, I can see that happening too. *wanders off snickering*

[Silvertongue]

Glad my thoughts don't only amuse myself!

[kumainpink]

Heehee *chuckles* I can see that happening too... ah Snape... how we love to make fun of you.

[Kitty279]

Jul 7, 2012 15:17:48 GMT -5 SkullAuror107 said:

I agree with you on Ron and Hermione not being able to help Harry much. Their reactions would probably convince him that it was a bad idea to open up to anyone at all. The only person I can see Harry talking to who would be able to help would be Sirius. Sirius had a similar upbringing to Harry so he would understand what Harry's going through. He also knows what it's like to deal with the expectations your name gives you.

Exactly! And Sirius was the adult Harry trusted the most, save maybe Dumbledore (which I still find strange, seeing as he was the main culprit for most of what Harry had to endure). So, why on earth was he not used? It really fits that JKR denies that Harry was abused in the first place. So no need to talk about it, right? *grumbles*

[kumainpink]

You know, I've read a few Characters Read series, (back when everything was on FFN), that don't even mention that Harry is abused. Or make a big deal about the cupboard. And I find it to be a very hollow experience. Because as writers, we are forced to really look in to the characters we write about. And in Harry's case, he's abused. You can deny and debate the extent, but to deny it as a whole makes me sick.

[sherza]

Jul 8, 2012 1:26:10 GMT -5 kumainpink said:

You know, I've read a few Characters Read series, (back when everything was on FFN), that don't even mention that Harry is abused. Or make a big deal about the cupboard. And I find it to be a very hollow experience. Because as writers, we are forced to really look in to the characters we write about. And in Harry's case, he's abused. You can deny and debate the extent, but to deny it as a whole makes me sick.

Oh mn, I've run into those, and they piss me off. They all go something like this:

'cupboard revelation'

Characters: awww, that sucks!
Dumbledore: It's for the greater good!
Characters: Oh! That's ok then.

*wordless snarl*

[Kitty279]

Argh, that annoys the hell out of me. It is NOT ok, and the old meddler can stuff his greater good somewhere where it will never see the daylight again! It annoys me no end how people think of him as a saint who can do no wrong and swallow everything because he says so.

[sherza]

Jul 8, 2012 1:42:13 GMT -5 Kitty279 said:

Argh, that annoys the hell out of me. It is NOT ok, and the old meddler can stuff his greater good somewhere where it will never see the daylight again! It annoys me no end how people think of him as a saint who can do no wrong and swallow everything because he says so.

Oh man, same here. I get especially, *especially* ticked off when it's an RB with Lily and James involved, the whole 'leave on a doorstep, cupboard' thing comes up, and LILY AND JAMES BACK DOWN AFTER A TOKEN OBJECTION. WTF!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS THEIR SON WE'RE TALKING ABOUT! GRAGH!

[kumainpink]

My thoughts exactly, ladies. It's maddening, isn't it? What, does Fumbles have everyone brainwashed?

[sherza]

I dunno, but it irritates the hell out of me. ESPECIALLY regarding Lily, who was evidently a bit of a spitfire. By all rights she should be trying to skin Dumbledore alive, not going 'ok, fine, you're right, it's for the best'. Gah!

[kumainpink]

I really hate Dumbledore's ethics. They're just so contrived, convoluted and counter-productive! He's too absorbed in his own "Greater Good" - something he should have quit after he realized it wouldn't work back in the days of Gellert - and it should have been put to a stop.

[Kitty279]

And why is just the "big head" argument enough excuse to leave Harry with the Dursleys? You can raise a child in Harry's situation to be not so big-headed by putting him with a family that has some common sense. Even in the wizarding world, there have to be some. The Dursleys were the worst choice, or at least only marginally better than a Death Eater family.

[kumainpink]

At the very least, it would have been better to place Harry with Mrs. Figg, for crying out loud! The woman wasn't perfect, but she wouldn't have starved and abused him!

[Kitty279]

But she was obviously still blindly following Dumbledore's orders when she didn't tell Harry anything even after he went to Hogwarts. Always thought that rather strange.

[kumainpink]

Yeah, it was... *sighs* Harry really had nobody he could go to until Hogwarts... that's just so sad. *hugs little Harry from afar*

[Kitty279]

And even then, he was mainly reduced to work with Hermione and Ron, as the adults were pretty useless. Still can't fathom how they all left him alone after everything he went through.

[kumainpink]

Wizarding adults are useless...very very useless for the most part. =/

[sherza]

That makes two of us.

How the hell JKR thought 'all was well' at the end of those books ...

Woman was hitting the drugs REALLY damn hard at that point, if you want my opinion, 'cause damn. There is no way in hell Harry was perfectly fine and the wizarding world was all better now. Just ... not a chance in hell.

[kumainpink]

First there would have been a lot of rebuilding, I imagine. Then, trying to find all the corrupt Ministry officials and flush them out of office...

Then we have the mental and emotional scars that needed to be healed, families that needed to mourn... ect