[HPforGrownups] Re: was Father figures, ... Snape, Hogwarts & Harry

[Doreen]

No: HPFGUIDX 14853

Has anyone considered the possibility that at least part of Snape's
animosity toward H/H stems from a "drill sergeant" mentality?  I.e.,
being harder (in this case, MUCH harder) on those students in which
he recognizes potential for great achievement, encouraging them to
push themselves along harder?  Of course, he is also building esprit
de corps among the houses at the same time:

Slytherins:  "we are the chosen few"
Gryffindors: "we the persecuted must look out for one another"

It would be interesting to know what Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff students
think of Snape.

Cheers,
-Louis

I think it is perfectly obvious why Snape is so mean to Harry, now that I
have had a few weeks on this list and read the books too many times to count
.. and that doesnt even include searching for a reference.

Snape is AD's spy in Voldemort's camp. Well, who is to say that Voldemort
does not have his own spies at Hogwarts?  Snape must realize that he is
going to have to face Voldemort, sooner or later. As long as he appears to
"serve Voldemort" in his actions, and he is clever enough at coming up with
a "reason," he will be given the benefit of the doubt by V.  I can just hear
him saying, "But your Lordship, I tried to trip Potter up at every turn.
Dumbledore had him too well protected."

Why does he dislike the "new" DADA teachers? Why was he so hostile towards
Sirius Black? Maybe the answers to all of these questions is that he
suspects them of possibly being one of Voldemort's spies and Snape figures
it is better to keep his distance until he works it out. What better way to
keep his distance than to appear to be nasty? For that matter, he knows that
if Harry gets too close and figures him out, it could be dangerous for both
of them.

Doreen who thinks that Snape is a diamond in the rough