Snape and Neville-- WAS Why readers love Snape

[lipglossusa]

No: HPFGUIDX 33523

I think taking the "poor Neville" side in Snape's dealings with 
Neville is a bit insulting to Neville.  Yes, he is often bumbling, 
frightened, and forgetful, but Neville has shown time and again that 
he's made of stronger stuff than one might think.  I would cite his 
attack on Crabbe and Goyle, his attempt to stop HRH from sneaking 
out, his fight against the boggart/Snape, plus the fact that he was 
sorted into Gryffindor, etc.  And not that it's an excuse, but Snape 
is horrible to everyone, not just Neville!  It's not in Snape's 
character to treat someone differently because of a troubled past.  I 
think it's pretty clear that, though we haven't yet found out why, 
Snape has had his own troubled past, and might have his reasons to 
believe that giving Neville special treatment might be detrimental in 
some way.  After all, Neville has just as much reason to fear 
Voldemort as Harry does, but the boggart manifesting itself as Snape 
shows that Neville is not afraid of evil, he is afraid of making 
mistakes. Snape, the ever-present critic, constantly mocks Neville's 
mistakes, and, though Neville hasn't realized it yet, keeps him on 
his toes and gives him a less dangerous thing to fear.


marina