Harry, Neville, and Snape

[severelysigune]

No: HPFGUIDX 90256

sawsan wrote:
<< Is it coincidence that Snape is especially horrible to Harry and 
Neville, considering they are both eligible to be "the one" of the 
prophesy? I know that he is horrible to the Gryffindors anyway, but I 
noticed he seems even more so to Harry and Neville. Neville is 
terrified of Snape, and I know that Snape finds Neville to be a 
complete idiot in his eyes, but I don't think that's the only reason.
I also know of Snape's hatred of James and the Marauders. But I think 
there has to be more to it. Any thoughts?>>

Sigune reflects:
I am aware of the fact that this does not really answer your 
question, but you set me thinking about the nature of Snape's 
contempt for Neville.
I may be too positive towards Snape here, but it has always seemed to 
me that what fuels our Potion Master's contempt is the fact that 
Neville definitely has something in him but doesn't work hard enough 
to make it come out. Something similar goes for Harry: Snape knows 
that he is capable of surprisingly great things (saving the Stone, 
defeating Riddle, winning the Triwizard Tournament...), yet in 
Potions class he keeps messing up through such stupid things as 
skipping a line in a recipe. This has nothing to do with talent or 
capability and everything with attention. And inattention freaks 
Snape out.
As to Neville, he has been treated as a near-Squib all the time, but 
since his joining the DA we have seen he is actually rather apt at 
Charms; that would suggest to me he isn't a near-Squib at all, and 
that Snape's impatience is not without reason. Of course that doesn't 
justify his extremely nasty behaviour as a teacher at all; but as far 
as I can see Snape is never friendly with anyone.

Now if Snape's antipathy towards Harry and Neville has anything to do 
with their both being the "one" from the prophecy, that would be 
really unsettling; and not wanting to consider Traitor!Snape an 
option, I will leave the theorising on that point to others :)...

Yours severely,

Sigune