James the Berk?

[charme]

No: HPFGUIDX 105624

> Katie:
> 
> You're quite right. I'm sure James is a much better person than I 
> give him credit for, and it *is* unfair to judge him based on one 
> appearance. I hope JKR adds some more about him (and Lily, for 
that 
> matter) in the next book. I still think he and Sirius are being 
> terrible bullies in that scene, though. 
> 

charme:

I believe this is the reason Snape worked himself to be the best 
Occulmens he could be.  Snape has an anger/emotion management 
problem;  when Harry sees his memories in the OoP he basically flips 
out, wouldn't you say? He's very reactionary with James and Sirius, 
and this may have taught him that to react with emotion is to do so 
with peril. He views that type of behavior (wearing your 
heart/emotions on your sleeve) as weak and easy prey for the Dark 
Lord.