I think a good fic has to have some way to great a power tension, something that gives Harry a separate but equal power over Severus
That's a good point. I don't particularly care for doormat!Harry. The snarry_reader did an interview with Telanu (here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/snarry_reader/29283.html)) where she discusses the way she handles it in the Tea Series:
[Harry's] picked up pretty well on the fact that Snape’s interested in keeping their “thing” going, just like Harry is. So Harry lays down a few ground rules and refuses to take any of Snape’s shit. He’s inexperienced, but he has a little native cunning, for sure. *g* And Snape goes along with it, not because he’s in any way fair-minded or non-manipulative, but because he wants Harry and will do what it takes to keep him. As you mentioned, he frequently has a hard time controlling himself, and he’d definitely abuse his power if Harry let him (viz. the way he attacked Cho and the Weasleys), but Harry doesn’t let him.
That’s mostly an emotional sort of power. As far as practical power goes, they both know that Harry can get Snape sacked if he wants, while pretty much getting off scot-free himself.
I think a lot of other authors go that way as well, and it's a good way to handle it. And I also agree that I like the characterization of Harry as being optimistic and idealistic, although it may be more a practicality than anything else. They can't very well BOTH be pessimistic -- they'd never get anywhere. *g*
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Date: 2005-05-21 04:22 am (UTC)That's a good point. I don't particularly care for doormat!Harry. The
[Harry's] picked up pretty well on the fact that Snape’s interested in keeping their “thing” going, just like Harry is. So Harry lays down a few ground rules and refuses to take any of Snape’s shit. He’s inexperienced, but he has a little native cunning, for sure. *g* And Snape goes along with it, not because he’s in any way fair-minded or non-manipulative, but because he wants Harry and will do what it takes to keep him. As you mentioned, he frequently has a hard time controlling himself, and he’d definitely abuse his power if Harry let him (viz. the way he attacked Cho and the Weasleys), but Harry doesn’t let him.
That’s mostly an emotional sort of power. As far as practical power goes, they both know that Harry can get Snape sacked if he wants, while pretty much getting off scot-free himself.
I think a lot of other authors go that way as well, and it's a good way to handle it. And I also agree that I like the characterization of Harry as being optimistic and idealistic, although it may be more a practicality than anything else. They can't very well BOTH be pessimistic -- they'd never get anywhere. *g*
But anyway. Thanks muchly for your comments. :)