Neville and Snape

[Claire Munsell]

No: HPFGUIDX 87530

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "meriaugust" <meriaugust at y...> 
wrote:
> I am in the process of rereading all of my HP collection and I am 
> presently in the middle of PoA. I have just finished reading the 
> chapter where Neville changes the boggart into Snape (The Boggart 
in 
> the Wardrobe, page 136, American edition). That Snape is Neville's 
> biggest fear is not surprising to me, as Snape bullies (torments?) 
> Neville more than any one else in Gryffindor, with the exception of 
> Harry. 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

You know, I have often wondered the same thing.  Even though Snape 
does seem to enjoy bullying people who appear weak, he seems to take 
a special effort to torment Neville(and the only other people he 
gives this attention are Remus and Harry).  Therefore, I am led to 
believe that perhaps there was an old grudge between Snape and 
Neville's parents.  But, I may be reading more into it then is really 
there; it might just be a way of illustrating Snape's character, 
showing his need to put down others.  However, I wouldn't be 
surprised if we uncover an actual reason for the hostility.
Claire