Did Dumbledore ask Snape to use Pensieve?

[PotionsMaster]

I was just thinking, maybe Professor Snape was asked by Professor Dumbledore to use the pensieve to keep Harry from seeing painful memories of his father. Even when Harry broke into Snape's mind he saw an awful lot that most people probably would have put into the pensieve (like Snape cowering in the corner as a child, or cursing flies). We know that Dumbledore has always tried to protect Harry from things that might cause him anguish because he feels he's been through too much already or that he's too young. Does this seem reasonable to you or does it seem farfetched? Harry always took at least some pride in being like his father, so maybe that was just Dumbledore protecting Harry again from the "not so good" side of James Potter.

[dawningoftime]

I don't know...Yeah, but sometimes knowing a bit more of his father helps him understand why Snape hates him. The truth hurts sometimes and I don't think Dumbledore would have wanted Harry to have a misguided image of his dad. Sometimes knowing the "not so good side" of our parents help us understand ourselves more. That and it helps us to realize our parents weren't and aren't perfect.

[Alastor D]

Regardless of what Snape thinks about James, I think that any student of occlumency should be protected from insights in his loathsome mind.

[tarachristwen]

Regardless of what Snape thinks about James, I think that any student of occlumency should be protected from insights in his loathsome mind.

i agree with that.

[PotionsMaster]

But I didn't think the pensieve really showed bias toward one side or the other. It wasn't Snape's view/thoughts of James, it was something he actually did.

[Warozaka]

I don't know if it is Dumbly who told Snape to use a Pensieve, or if it is Snape who asked. If Dumbly did know about how awful James had been (sometimes), he could have asked Snape to do so. But did he know about the bullying after the OWLs? I suppose it is exactly the kind of things Snape would not tell him, even if he is a deeply frank character. But Dumbly can have learnt it thanks to someone else (In that case, i do hope he tried to prevent James from further tormenting Snape).
I think it is Snape who asked to borrow the Pensieve, because we see he did not want Harry to see that either. he is furious when Harry discover it.
Anyway, they both had good reasons not to let Harry see that. Dumbly because he does not want Harry to be disgusted by his father, and Snape because he did not want to be seen humiliated.
Personally I imagine a conversation like that.
"Well, Headmaster, I will teach Potter Occlumency, since your Highness wants it, but I pray you to grant me a little favour ..."
"What do you want, Severus?"
"Lend me the Pensieve for the lessons, if you please."
"Why?"
"There are always a couple of thing one wants to keep secret, I suppose."
"What?"
"Mind you own business ... whoops. I meant it is unimportant, Headmaster."
"Really?"
"You don't want Harry to hate his own father, do you?"
"What are you alluding to in perticular?"
"Mind your own - I mean, may I have it, please?"
"Oh, yes, since you wish it."

[tarachristwen]

i think he did cos snape has so many unpleasent memories from the past and needs the pensieve to clear his mind from it..

[squirrely_wrath]

It has not been fully established how far raching hte use of the pensive is in the ordinary wizarding world, so it is difficult to make any judgement... I will say that It is likely that although they are rare, they are not uncommon in the instruction of Leglimecy. It is most likely that Severus asked to use the pensive. If it were not his idea, then why react so strongly to finding Harry in his thoughts? It is possible that Snape misjudged Harry's abilities, that he did not remove all of his memories ( eg. his parents yelling) because he believed that he could protect those thoughts from Harry. By removing the thoughts that pertained to James ( and his source of Hatred) he would have felt safe from Harry.

[Durandal]

I like the Snape-Dumbledore idalogue. I use dialogue myself sometimes too. It's so funny, you can make 'em say whatever you want. My favourite is imagining that Dumbledore never told anyone else (except Harry) about the prophecy, so after Dumbledore dies he has to explain it to Snape and McGonagall. But that's for another thread...

I like your idea, I've never thought of it that way before. It seems exactly the sort of thing Dumbledore would do. JKR says he is all knowing, so people predict that he knew and planned for Sirius to fall through the veil. That's a bit far fetched, but Dumbledore is probably sensitive and intelligent enough to realize that Harry could turn Snape's Legilimency around and wanted to protect him ("I've protected you more than you know." Dumbledore did say something like that to Harry once...)

People think Snape wanted Harry to see the contents of the pensive, I don't totally agree with that. If Dumbledore told Snape to use it, then I can see why Snape meant to leave it out on the table then ran out of the room. But if Dumbledore didn't order him to use it, then I stick with my theory, that Snape enjoyred taunting Harry "Yes Potter, a pensive full of my thoughts that I'd never want you to see. Right here on the table. Go ahead, try to read it. Oh, that's right, you can't because I'm right here! HA HA HA!" and really did run away without thinking.

[Warozaka]

I like the Snape-Dumbledore idalogue. I use dialogue myself sometimes too. It's so funny, you can make 'em say whatever you want. My favourite is imagining that Dumbledore never told anyone else (except Harry) about the prophecy, so after Dumbledore dies he has to explain it to Snape and McGonagall. But that's for another thread...

I like your idea, I've never thought of it that way before. It seems exactly the sort of thing Dumbledore would do. JKR says he is all knowing, so people predict that he knew and planned for Sirius to fall through the veil. That's a bit far fetched, but Dumbledore is probably sensitive and intelligent enough to realize that Harry could turn Snape's Legilimency around and wanted to protect him ("I've protected you more than you know." Dumbledore did say something like that to Harry once...)

People think Snape wanted Harry to see the contents of the pensive, I don't totally agree with that. If Dumbledore told Snape to use it, then I can see why Snape meant to leave it out on the table then ran out of the room. But if Dumbledore didn't order him to use it, then I stick with my theory, that Snape enjoyred taunting Harry "Yes Potter, a pensive full of my thoughts that I'd never want you to see. Right here on the table. Go ahead, try to read it. Oh, that's right, you can't because I'm right here! HA HA HA!" and really did run away without thinking.
I agree about Snape having not let the Pensieve under Harry's nose on purpose. he was worried for his slytherin student and did not think Harry would linger in his office. he had told him to go.
I don't think Snape is mocking Harry either. He does not let the pensieve on the table, he put he on a shelf carefully. I suppose Snape expect Harry is clever enough to understand one can have secrets. Harry also would be glad to put some memories away from Snape.

i think he did cos snape has so many unpleasent memories from the past and needs the pensieve to clear his mind from it..
I don't really see thing like that. Snape is very attached to his own memories and take them back as quickly as possible. I suppose it is because they sort of make part of his identity ... He also thinks one must be able to overcome his emotions, which also mean be able to live with memories which rankle ...
I will also add that there must be too many bad memories for Snape to put all of them in the pensieve.