[HPforGrownups] Neville and Snape

[jazmyn]

No: HPFGUIDX 87531



meriaugust 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
> 


Its simple really. Snape is NOT coddling Harry or Neville because to 
him, either one could be the one in the prophesy.  He is tough on them 
to get them to try harder and to prepare either of them for what they 
may have to do.  I'm not so sure Snape hates either of them, but finds 
them really annoying and it may gaul him that the fate of the Wizard 
World rests on either the son of his most hated enemy or a doofus who 
falls apart at the slightest bit of stress.

Call it 'tough love'.

Notice however that Harry is becoming more sympathetic to Snape and 
Neville in fact is becoming more sure of himself. After dealing with 
Snape, Neville likely finds anything else a breeze.

Jazmyn