MadEye & Malfoy - James & Snape - Everyone & Umbridge

[pickle_jimmy]

No: HPFGUIDX 68844

pitaprh wrote:

Does anyone think that part of Snape's actions are an act?  Don't you 
think that Draco is reporting back to his Father all of the terrible 
ways that Snape is treating the non-slytherins which reenforces his 
being on the "bad" side.  I am not excusing all of his actions - the 
way he treats Harry is based on the past - not justified but that is 
where it is coming from - a past we have yet to see.  But maybe a 
large percentage of his actions are due to what Draco may be passing 
back to Daddy?

Me:

I think there *is* something odd about Snape's behaviour, because the 
main focus of Snape's attacks seem to be against Harry & Neville - 
which I don't think is coincidental (and I don't think he picks on 
them because they are particularly woeful at potions - there are a 
lot of inept people in the class (read Crabbe and Goyle) - and I 
think part of Nevilles problem in potions stems from the way Snape 
treats/intimidates him rather than a lack of talent. As we see with 
Neville in DA - a bit of praise and success bring out his best.)

BUT...

If it's an act, why does Snape still treat Harry with contempt when 
they are alone? Why not - if he really thinks he's a nice kid and his 
poor treatment of him is all an act for Malfoy's sake - when he has 
him in his office to teach him Occlumency treat him like a human 
being, not like "something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe"

Pickle Jimmy