... the "Prank" ? Reverse Psychology & Impulsiveness

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 99801

Mel:
> I agree premeditation, as in plotting Snape's murder over the 
course  of several weeks is not his style, but luring Snape into 
the  passageway 'on a whim' while knowing he was putting him 
in mortal  danger most certianly *is* his style.  This from JKR's 
most recent webchat:
> 
> 
> Kyla: What made Sirius decide to send Snape to the Willow?
> JK Rowling replies -> Because Sirius loathed Snape (and the 
feeling  was entirely mutual). You'll find out more about this in 
due course.
> 
> 
> Yes, there's more. There's always more,  but this is an 
*unusually  clear* answer from Ms. Rowling. No 'um's or 'er's 
here. Sirius sent  Snape into the willow because he hated him.<

Pippin:
Agreed. I have no problem believing that Sirius, loathing Snape, 
acted on a murderous whim and told Snape what to do. What I 
can't credit is that Snape,  loathing Sirius, acted on a  whim and 
did it. Barring time turners, any scenario that gives the news time 
to reach James  also gives Snape the time to cool down and 
say, "Wait a minute, what the !@#$ am I doing?" 

Snape, unlike Bertha, is usually  careful and assesses the risks 
in advance. Otherwise he'd have been terminated with extreme 
prejudice a long time ago. If Snape finds himself in unexpected 
hot water, it's  because he underestimates the risks that others 
are willing to take...for Sirius to use the Shrieking Shack as a 
refuge, or for James and Sirius to hex him in front of witnesses, 
or for Harry and his friends to attack him, for example. 

So I can't believe that it was curiousity alone that got Snape into 
the tunnel, or that he would knowingly act with reckless 
disregard for his own skin. As Phineas emphasizes to us, that's 
not a Slytherin trait. Did somebody slip *Snape* a 
hot-headedness potion? 

Pippin