[HPforGrownups] Neville: was re: Authority and rule-breaking

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 16423

>>I don't believe Snape picks on Neville simply because Neville lacks

>>confidence. There is more to Snape/Neville.  We just don't know 
>> what it is yet.  
> 
> I assume that most of the staff know Neville's
> family history.  It is a sad one.  Yet Snape bullies him
> mercilessly and shows absolutely no kindness towards him at all, 
> unlike Professor 
> Lupin, who tries to bolster him up and help him be brave.  


Actually I can cut Snape some slack here.  I think it hinges on his
totally unsubtle view of the world; someone weeks ago called it his
"master sergeant" outlook on life.  I can see him thinking:

"Somebody better toughen this kid up.  It's a mean world out there
and nobody's going to be around to protect him."

With this attitude, it's reasonable for him to be exasperated with
Hermione's helping him with his potion; the time could come when he
has to do (or brew) something for himself when she's not around.
Sometimes it's cruel to be kind.   

Of course he scares Neville to death and totally ensures that the
message isn't received but Snape is wonderfully clueless to how his
actions are preceived by everybody else.  I do think its why he
reveres Dumbledore: Dumbledore saw through the exterior Snape to the
inner wizard.

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