Snape's greasy hair, Snape's upbringing, Snape's summer holidays

[feetmadeofclay]

No: HPFGUIDX 74662


> I don't think that we have enough information to conclude that
> Snape had such a horrid childhood that it would be worse than
> losing one's parents and being raised by hatefull relatives who
> bully you, underfeed you, have you sleep in a cupboard and work
> you hard, etc. All we saw of Snape's family was a (presumably)
> angry father shouting at a scared looking (presumably) mother.
> Even the best parent sometimes screams at their kids
> (see Molly Weasely :-)).

Molly may yell at the kids and they fear her wrath but she doesn't 
yell at Arthur - not really like that.  And the kids don't cower in 
corners.  All evidence points to an abusive childhood for Snape - or 
one where his mother was abused which IMHO is a form of child abuse.  

Yes it isn't as bad as Harry's but really you must admit that Rowling 
overdid it with Harry and that Harry is relatively unaffected by his 
horrible childhood.

I am sure that Harry is Snape's reflection.  What Harry could be if 
he lets himself get mired in selfpity.  But he won't.  

> > I think Snape's REAL worst memories are a lot worse 
> > than the ones we saw - apart from possible childhood abuse there 
> was 
> > probably something fairly traumatic that made him decide to leave 
> the 
> > DEs.)
> 
Rowling said it was his "worst memory".  I see no reason to doubt 
that.  She didn't call it Snape's most embarrassing memory - but she 
could have.  It may be a little silly but you can't do anything to 
reform canon. 

> 
> > It all makes me wonder where on earth he finds a happy enough 
> > memory to help him conjure a patronus when he's in a tight corner 
> > with a Dementor?
> 
> Has he ever faced a dementor?
> 

Everyone has happy moments.  Even lonely people.  Perhaps the day he 
left the DE.  Perhaps the day he got his OWL marks. Perhaps the first 
time a girl kissed him or said she loved him.... (or such...) - and 
yes I believe Snape has had a girlfriend.