Neville and Snape

[allies426]

No: HPFGUIDX 87529

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "meriaugust" <meriaugust at y...> 
wrote:
> My question is why that is. We know why he hates Harry, with 
> his past involvements with James Potter and the other Marauders, 
but why does Snape abuse poor Neville so? Any ideas, or is this 
another of the thousands of things that JKR will have to adress in 
the next 
> two books? 
> Meri

Not much canon behind this, but my impression is just that Snape is 
(for lack of a better word) a huge bully.  He was picked on as a 
kid, and now that he's an authority figure, he can lord his power 
over his students.  Neville has always been very timid, so he's an 
easy target.  I don't really believe the "tough love" theory as to 
why he's so horrible to Hermione, who is smart and competent in his 
classes.  I believe that JKR herself has said that Snape is not a 
nice person.

Allie