First names (was Snape: The fact that he exists)

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 71396

Rhiannon the RavenSlyth wrote:

> > > Couldn't he have been trying to indicate that he's left their 
> old 
> > > antagonism behind? The emphasis on "Severus" is an indication 
> that 
> > > he's dropped "Snivellus" in the past and is willing to deal with 
> > > Severus Snape as an adult and an equal, instead of as an old 
> rival. 
> > > I suspect that Lupin was willing to make an apology, but Snape 
> > > wasn't yet ready to accept it.

AneeL:
> >AnnL 
> > Except that Remus persisted in using his first name...
> > In light of *that*, I think Remus' behavior in PoA comes across 
> more 
> > as mind-game. Refering to Severus by his given name when he's not 
> > reciprocating doesn't indicate intimacy, it's putting Severus in 
> the 
> > one-down position. 

bibphile:

> I still think he was trying to bury the hatchet.  I don't think it 
> was meant as a put down.  I think Remus regrets allowing James ans 
> Sirius to torment Snape in school.  I don't think he's intentionally 
> insult Snape now, just because of old "bad feelings" between them or 
> because Snape is resentful of his presence.  I think he can kind of 
> understand snape's resentment and want to make Snape let go of it, 
> noot to make it stronger.


Just a quick comment to add.  I agree with bibplhile and Rhiannon that
Lupin used Snape's first name to show that he wasn't trying to
condescend.  It reminds me of Dumbledore, who you'll notice always
uses people's first names when speaking directly to a person, even in
circumstances where some would consider this disrepectful.  I see this
as Dumbledore's way of showing equality between himself and whomever
he is speaking to, whether it be a student, a teacher, the Minister of
Magic, or an evil overlord.  

-Corinth