Snape and Neville

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 41857

I've just been pondering Snape's behavior toward Neville. He's even more
cruel to Neville than he is to Harry, and that's saying something!  Harry he
despises because he hated his dad.  But why Neville?  Has a conclusion been
drawn about that?

The best I can do is this:

Snape could possibly have done something to prevent Neville's parents from
being tortured and didn't.  Whether he could actually saved them or not is
beside the point, but if he feels that he didn't do everything he could to
prevent them (or others) from being tortured, that could be part of the
problem.  Guilt can make a person do strange things.  Some people would
automatically care for the person more, pamper them, etc.  Example:
McGonagall and Harry.  She's firm, yes, but she does little things,
especially in his first year, to help him fit in that are really against
Hogwarts rules.  He makes the Quidditch team, has his own broom (which first
year's aren't allowed), and she even gets the broom for him!  That can't be
just to help Gryffindor's Quidditch team improve.  She didn't want Harry
left with the Dursleys to began with, and is trying to make up.  Now, back
to Snape and Neville.  Guilt could also have an opposite effect.  If Snape
could have, or thinks he could have done more than he did to aid in the
capture of death eaters, he is probably reminded of it every time he looks
at Neville.  Just as he's reminded of James every time he looks at Harry.
Which means he could hardly stand the site of Neville, so to make himself
feel better, puts him down every chance he gets.  Comments?

Richelle

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Richelle R. Votaw
1st grade teacher
Kentwood Elementary
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