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ArisKatsaris comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 8 - Less Wrong
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But wasn't the point of the chapter's end that didn't crack down on the bullying, but just on SPHEW?
I don't know what Snape gained by all the escalation he engineered.
My pet theory is that every display of anger Snape ever makes in MOR is part of his act. In fact, the only two genuine displays of emotions we've seen have been his private smile after chewing out Jaime Astorga and his involuntary smile when Harry accused Dumbledore of being a Nazgul. (Snape is the secret Xanatos behind Self Actualization, which is why both Dumbledore and Quirrel keep acting surprised when people assume they're involved.)
Everything actually went according to his plan, except, possibly, being revealed from his Disillusionment as he shadowed the SPHEW members to the ambush. And he DID crack down on all the bullying, he threatened the Slytherins with horrors in private before he publicly punished Hermione.
This is a masterstroke on his part because it removes all incentive the Slytherins and bullies at large might have to seek vengeance against Hermione; she's already being punished severely. The bullies are shamed and fearful, and the one who shamed them is cowed as well. Equilibrium is restored. Hermione pays the price, but it is a fair price, as far as Snape is concerned.
It was Snape that Harry called a Nazgul.
In your theory, what was Snape's original plan with the 44 bullies before Quirrell interfered at Harry's request?
Snape's original plan was to let the bullies beat the crap out of the girls, then Dumbledore would be forced to confront the issue directly. Quirrel may have even been the one who revealed Snape's invisibility just to embarrass him.
Thanks, that makes sense. Personally, I'd be very suspicious of any plan that required Dumbledore to react reasonably, but Snape trusts D more than I do. (And I always assumed, once his involvement became clear, that Quirrel was the one who revealed Snape.)