Harry begins to act like someone I know...

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 99464

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "(Mrs.) Lee Storm (God Is The 
Healing Force)" <n2fgc at a...> wrote:

Lee:
> I see what you're saying, Geoff, and also see where you're coming 
from. :-)
> 
> Let's say Snape gave Draco the spell...I can buy that.  As far as 
the
> enjoyment factor displayed by Snape, I'm gonna put a wiggle in here 
and say
> that perhaps Snape was conflicted; part of him was, indeed, 
enjoying the
> sight of the famous and (dare I say) lauded Harry Potter in a most 
dangerous
> position. There might also be a part of Snape that's tickled proud 
of Draco
> for handling such a spell.  But, there's that part that, for all 
his seeming
> hatred of Harry, can't allow the snake to really _do_ anything to 
him.

Geoff:
I see what you're saying and where you're coming from. However, 
although it would seem that Snape is trying to protect Harry, he is 
doing it in a rather disgruntled manner.

'"Yes.." said Dumbledore dreamily, "Funny, the way people's minds 
work, isn't it? Professor Snape couldn't bear being in your father's 
debt... I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year 
because he felt that would make him and your father quits. Then he 
could go back to hating your father's memory in peace..."'

(PS "The Man with Two Faces" p.217 UK edition)

In COS, Snape probably feels that he has repaid the debt but still 
needs to keep an eye on Harry but still has a need to twist the knife 
in the wound - look at his snide comments to Harry in the later 
books. It's high time he learned to get this grudge out of his 
system; it's affecting his whole outlook on life.