Why didn't Severus reveal the Prank? (Was: How did Sirius lure Severus...)

[mnaper2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 107166


> --- justcarol67 <justcarol67 at y...> wrote:
> > Carol wrote:
> > I think Neri is on the right track here, but I would add that
> > Severus' fear of humiliation is probably the crucial factor. 
> 
> 
> Yes, I agree with Carol.  That's really the only reason that Snape
> would not have used the very real power he had been given over Lupin
> - and over Dumbledore too in fact.  He could have got Lupin expelled
> (at a minimum) and Dumbledore fired.  And yet what happened? 
> According to Lupin, Snape was "forbidden" to tell:
> 
Ally:

I'm not so sure.  Snape wanted or at least didn't care that the whole 
thing would be public when he pushed DD to punish the Marauders.  Why 
would that change if he had to make it public instead?  If anything, 
it would have made Snape look more the martyr, b/c not only was he 
set up for the prank, but the Headmaster didn't take his side (as he 
would have seen it).   

Also, Snape was 15/16, and while clearly hotheaded, he also 
apparently was a stickler for the rules.  The impression I get from 
him now and the pensieve memory was that he was some kid who had to 
work hard to succeed at things and was mindful of authority (as he 
still appears to be of DD).  So I'm not sure if DD told him not to 
tell, his first response would have been to turn around and threaten 
DD with blackmail.  When have we ever seen Snape engage in that kind 
of extortioninst behavior?  

And its not just that he didn't tell he was set up.  He didn't tell 
anyone Lupin was a werewolf, either.  If he was inclined to go 
against DD's orders, he could have revealed Lupin's secret in any 
number of sneaky ways without risking humiliation, but he didn't.  I 
think he gave his word and he kept it, although under some duress.  I 
get the feeling that, mean spirited as he is, Snape has something of 
a personal code, and giving a promise to DD is important to him, I 
think.