[HPforGrownups] Neville Longbottom

[Horst or Rebecca J. Bohner]

No: HPFGUIDX 22979

> Also, why do you think Snape is so mean to Neville?  Is it just because
he's
> a mean guy and Neville is afraid of him and does things incorrectly in his
> class?  Or is there something else going on there?

Snape has no patience for cowardice or incompetence at the best of times.
But I don't think that's just arrogance and prejudice; I believe it's
because he knows that when Voldemort returns the weak will not survive, and
Neville had better toughen up or he's not going to make it.  All the other
teachers, and Dumbledore, treat Neville kindly, but as far as Snape is
concerned that's not going to help him in the end.  "I must be cruel, only
to be kind," etc.

But my *chief* theory about Snape and Neville goes rather beyond that -- I
believe that Snape actually respected and admired the courage and resolve of
Neville's parents, and he is disgusted with Neville because he sees him as
unworthy of the Longbottom name.  Until Neville toughens up and becomes
brave like his father and mother were, Snape is not going to let up on him.

Of course, it may well be argued that Snape is going about it all wrong, and
I would even agree.  The way he treats Neville just makes the boy *more*
timid and leads to *more* blunders, so instead of setting him free it just
traps him in a vicious cycle (viciousness supplied by Snape).  But nobody
ever said Snape was a trained psychologist.
--
Rebecca J. (Anderson) Bohner
rebeccaj at pobox.com
Specializing in Snape, Moody and George at
http://www.sugarquill.com/authors/rjanderson.html