Snape/Neville/Trevor

[pattigray <pattigray@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 53034

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "oddment708 <sunscape at i...>" 
<sunscape at i...> wrote:
>   I recently read and re-read the HP books and found myself 
> unexpectedly obsessed  with the Potterverse.  As the  only adult 
> (45+) I knew of with any interest in the series(other than the 
> token "Potter is pure evil relatives"),I was getting worried about 
my 
> grip on reality ("Mental, Ron sighed, shaking his head...."). On my 
> way to St. Mungo's I stumbled (on the hem of my robes, no doubt) 
into 
> HPfGU and have been lurking here with relief and delight for a 
couple 
> weeks.....

Ah, a fellow 45+ obsessee! I've probably seen you at St. Mungo's.

>   Has anyone wondered if Snape's constant picking on and 
threatening 
> of Neville (and Trevor) may be more than plain meanness? Like maybe 
> he wants to break through a memory charm using pressure, 
> psychological torture or panic? Or expose Trevor as something other 
> than a toad? I'm not sure how you break a memory charm, but it 
> appears to involve pain or suffering or survival instinct as in 
> Neville's magical ability revealed when he was dropped as a small 
> child or LV's comment that the methods he used to extract info from 
> memory charmed B. Jorkins left her body and mind useless. Or maybe 
I 
> just want darkly conflicted, mysterious Snape to be good 
intentioned.
> 
>Interesting thought. I've often wondered at Snape's picking on 
Neville. It would seem on the surface that Neville is too easy a 
target for someone with Snape's abilities. However, "darkly 
conflicted" Snape could be trying to break through a memory charm, 
and in keeping with his dark character actually enjoy inflicting a 
bit of pain and suffering on poor Neville. All for the greater good 
of course. Trevor the toad may be just an extension of the Neville we 
see on the surface, easily confused and not terribly competent.

P.J.G.