Sirius vs Snape (WAS:Snape's and Black's grudges)

[MMMfanfic at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 28361

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Hillman, Lee" <lee_hillman at u...> wrote:
> 
> As far as the "greasy-haired kid" remark, come on. It's a perennial 
problem,
> on many levels. As someone else has pointed out, Sirius is frozen 
12 years
> in the past, due to his imprisonment. So he has no new impression 
of Snape
> to balance the old (and let's face it, has Snape really changed 
that much?
> He would hardly be voted the "most changed" at the Hogwarts class 
of '76
> reunion). That's one. 

The problem I have with that statement is that he sounded exactly 
like he is still an adolescent, insulting another person for their 
physical appearance, making himself sound cool in the process.  If he 
said something about Snape being cruel or mean or sarcastic, I would 
have no problem with it because that's who he is outwardly.  Remember 
he was trying settle the question of whether Snape should be trusted, 
not how frequently he wash his hair.  The frozen in the past argument 
doesn't quite work for me, becasue I don't think a man in his early 
twenties should make this kind of statements.  (That's how old Sirius 
was when he was sent to Azkaban.)  But then the same thing goes for 
Snape's numerous remarks, especially that awful 'I see no difference.'

I would vote for him in the 'most changed' poll and I know Dumbledore 
would, too.  True, he didn't change much outwardly but I don't think 
someone could go from being a DE to Dumbledore's spy without some 
drastic inward change.

> Second, I have also said this before, but I believe that is almost 
exactly
> what happened, and that Sirius has had the rest of his life to 
regret that
> moment. I believe his strong reaction to any defense of Snape is 
hot and
> defensive because in his heart, he knows he screwed up bigtime. He 
has to
> live with the fact--the realization--that he's a person who can do 
something
> like that, even to someone he loathes as much as Snape.

If Sirius had shown the slightest hint of doubt about whether his 
action was justifiable (I don't even require remorse or an apology), 
I would be the first to leap to his defence and become an instant 
fan ... but I don't see any evidence in canon.

Also, several people has said something about the supposed immaturity 
of 16-year old boys.  I think at 16, you can reasonably control your 
action and be responsible for it (in New Zealand, you are allowed to 
drive at 16, which is a very lethal activity around here).  And even 
if you don't forsee the consequence of your action at the time, you 
should be capable of recognise it afterwards.

What bothers me about Sirius is his total failure to recognise he put 
three people in danger: Snape, Remus and James.  He still acts as 
though Snape deserved it.  I think Snape just snapped the moment he 
heard how Sirius dismissed his close brush with death.  I guess most 
of us would too.

<snip some excellent point about Snape's motivation>
One thing about Snape in PoA was that he did have the intention to do 
the right thing.  Okay, so it may have mingled with a bit of personal 
pride, anger etc ...  (It's really hard try to defend an all-round 
nasty person.)
 
> I am one of those folks on this list who truly likes both Sirius and
> Severus. I see where both are coming from--they're really not all 
that
> different, folks

They are very similar -- no offence Sirius fans.  Both of them had 
the tendency to think that they are absolutely right; both of them 
are loyal and principled; both had done regrettable things in their 
past; both tried to make amend.  Sometimes I think that Snape may be 
Sirius's dark twin.
(Come on, Sirius lovers, just admit your guy is not as nice as you 
think he is, the dark side would just make him more complex and 
lovely.  Us Snape fans do it all the time!)

I also have a question stemming from a discussion over at 
sugarquill.  Is that possible for a rabid Sirius fans to like Snape?  

I know many Lupin fans who also likes Snape, many rabid Snape fans 
who like Sirius (Earthwalk of the I Was Right fame being one.) but I 
don't know any Sirius fan who has any remote affection for the Potion 
Master ...  Put your hands up guys, I just want to know.