What's in it for Snape? Finding motive...

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 97470


Alla: 
> Well, as you probably guessed I am going to say that he is 
adult and a teacher. :o) He can have whatever feelings towards 
Harry he wants.  IMO, he has no right to ACT upon these 
feelings.
> 

To me, this is a bit like saying Ron has no right to loathe spiders. 
I don't think Snape can help the way he reacts to Harry in the 
Great Hall. He may not even be aware of the expression on his 
face.  Also, consider what Snape sees in this scene: the son of 
his old rival takes one look at him and claps his hand to his 
forehead in pain. I can see James doing that, miming that Snape 
is so ugly that it  actually hurts to look at him. "Mr. Prongs agrees 
with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an 
ugly git." In which case, Snape might think he has grounds to 
think Harry is a second edition of his arrogant dad.

I think that when JKR says Snape is a sadistic teacher, she 
means it. He *is* like Bella, but to a far lesser degree. But that's 
important. From's Snape's point of view he may be showing 
admirable restraint and treating both Harry and Neville much 
better than he would like to. 

Pippin