Looks aren't everything! (was:Re: Sirius / Severus)

[jwcpgh]

No: HPFGUIDX 86672

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "marinafrants" <rusalka at i...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jwcpgh" <jwcpgh at y...> wrote:
> > There's difference of opinion as to whether Sirius was a bully or 
> > not. <snip>We also don't know the full story of the Snape/Sirius 
hostility.

> Marina
> My own theory is that Snape, being a loyal Slytherin with a 
contempt for Muggleborns and a deep interest in the Dark Arts, was 
everything that the Black family wanted Sirius to be, and thus 
everything that he hated and violently rejected, especially at the 
time of the Pensieve flashback (which took place shortly before 
Sirius ran away from home for good).  
> 
> Sirius had a really schizoid upbringing, when you think about it. 
> Most of his adolescence was spent shuffling back and forth between 
> home, where he was treated as a disgrace and an abomination, and 
> school, where he was treated as the greatest thing since sliced 
> bread.  This is *not* a good way to instill a balanced sense of 
self in a teenage boy. <snip>  Unfortunately, I think Snape made a 
really handy scapegoat for Sirius' family issues.  All the supposedly 
> desirable pureblood traits in a geeky, unattractive package.  It 
> would've brought out all of Sirius's worst impulses, I'm sure.
> 
> 
Laura again:

Marina, I hate to admit it, being a big fan of Sirius's, but I think 
your observations are extremely insightful.  They would explain why 
Sirius was so active a part of the Snape-baiting that went on.  If 
James and Snape had a problem, James didn't need Sirius's help to 
deal with it, really.  But Sirius, if Pensieve II is typical, took 
great pleasure in encouraging James if not actively doing the hexing 
himself.  It would also explain why Sirius even bothered to tell 
Snape to follow Remus on the night of the Prank.  

This is not to say that I don't think Snape committed his share of 
sins.  I'm sure he did.  But I would guess that they were mostly 
directed at James-that's the impression I get from the books, 
anyhow.  

Your ideas would also explain the rage Sirius exhibits towards Snape 
in OoP.  Having Snape, the perfect Slytherin, at Grimmauld Place, 
where he would have fit in so well, must have felt to Sirius like 
having his beloved mother back in the flesh.  And if one agrees with 
the listees who suggest that Sirius didn't have much opportunity to 
mature in Azkaban (which I do), one can see that Snape's presence in 
that detested place would have sent Sirius right back to his Hogwarts 
mindset, if he'd managed to leave any of it behind.

You can also reverse the theory and suggest that Snape was jealous 
and resentful of Sirius, who had everything Snape wanted but loathed 
and rejected it.  Imagine Snape's personality and abilities in 
Sirius's body and with Sirius's advantages.  Scary...