The worst is yet to come

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 80910

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Grey Wolf" <greywolf1 at j...> 
wrote:
> 
> Indeed, "Snape's worst memory" isn't the worst memory Snape *has* 
but 
> the one that is worst *for Harry* since it shows him exactly what 
Snape 
> thinks of his father: an arrogant git. Yes, it involves a little 
> humiliation for Snape, but as Cindy pointed out, there are worse 
things 
> than having you underwear displayed... and one of them is learning 
> without a shadow of doubt that your father was a bully, just like 
your 
> ugly fat cousin is :D. 


Jen:  Great post! Yours is the best explanation I've heard yet for 
Snape's Worst Memory.  

I've always thought that scene is there to tell Harry (and the 
readers) more about his Lily and James, not Snape (underwear aside--
more than I needed to know...). 

I also don't buy that Snape intentionally left the memory for Harry 
to see--yes, he wants Harry to see his father was arrogant, but no, 
doubtful he *wants* Harry to see his own humiliation. 

That's why Grey Wolf's theory is so good--Snape must have memories in 
his brain that would be *much worse* for Harry to find out about, 
thus he chooses a "cover" memory that Harry won't be able to 
resist...genius. Snape is really growing on me now; he's one smart 
cookie, and suddenly I'm intensely interested in knowing his *real* 
worst memory....