Snape/Lily and respect, was Snape and Respect

[ssk7882 <skelkins@attbi.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51414

People are wrangling over what Snape might have been thinking during 
that deliberate pause right before the "I see no difference" comment.

Pippin proposed a LOLLIPOPS-flavored variant, and then added:

> > He's not thinking, "what's the nastiest thing I can say to a 
> > helpless teenage girl", he's thinking, "how do I make this 
> > hysterical underage female  get herself under control without 
> > blowing my cover, and what the hell just happened to me?"

Marina was dubious, and suggested:

> It's all the standard Snape nastiness, and I think that he is, in 
> fact, thinking "what's the nastiest thing I can say to a helpless 
> teenage girl?"  

Nah.

I don't think he was thinking anything at all.  The nasty comment 
leapt immediately to his mind -- I agree with Pippin that Snape likely
doesn't have to ponder too long to come up with biting things to say.

No, the *pause* was just for effect.  

I think the comment was intended to wound.  And comments like that 
one are just a whole lot more *effective* if they're preceded by a 
long pause, preferably accompanied by a steady appraising look.  They 
just are.  If what you want is to make someone cry with your words, 
then that's *precisely* how you go about it.


Elkins