Cataloging Snape's Behavior, Pt. II CoS (very long)

[huntergreen_3]

No: HPFGUIDX 115275


Sophierom wrote:
>>So, this is part II in my series on Snape as seen in canon
(subtitled: how to waste an enormous amount of time!). Part I, if 
you're interested, can be found at Message 114856
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/114856 <<

[large snip]

>>Chapter 11, 189-195: Dueling Incident.

[snip] And when Lockhart suggests that Neville and Justin duel in 
front of the entire club, Snape responds as follows: " `A bad idea, 
Professor Lockhart,' said Snape, gliding over like a large and 
malevolent bat. `Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest 
spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Fletchley up to the 
hospital wing in a matchbox.'
Neville's round, pink face went pinker.'" Then, "with a twisted 
smile," Snape suggests Malfoy and Harry.<<

HunterGreen:
Its rather hard to defend Snape's treatment of Neville in this scene 
(although I do love the phrase "malevolent bat"), but it is 
interesting to note that the medium-that-must-not-be-named changed 
the reference in this scene to Ron, which makes a lot more sense (not 
that I'm saying anything against the book, I think JKR was trying to 
show us something about Snape in addition to plot-specific point of 
getting Harry on the stage). I wonder, is Snape just referring to 
the 'desvastation' of the first potions class, or is there something 
additional that Neville has done that we simply weren't privy to? 

Neville is often thought of or referred to as a "weak" wizard, and in 
that case *he* would be the one in danger in a dueling situation, not 
Justin. If Snape really had cause to think that Neville 
caused "devastation with the simpliest spell", then what he said can 
*sort* of be defended. If Neville had caused more accidents like the 
one in the first potions class, then sending him up on stage to 
attack another student wouldn't be the best idea. 

About the first potions class, I think that was more Snape's fault 
than anything else. Why would he assign a potion that could go so 
badly wrong on to a group of eleven-year-olds on their first day of 
class? No wonder Umbridge thinks the class is advanced, and Snape 
thinks Lupin is 'hardly overtaxing them'. 

Sophierom:
>>Chapter 15, 267: Potions class after Hagrid's been arrested and
Dumbledore has been forced to take a leave. As Malfoy makes derogatory
comments about Dumbledore and McGonagall, "Snape swept past Harry,
making no comment about Hermione's empty seat and cauldron."
[snip]
There has been a great deal of speculation that Snape's job as a
spy relies not on being a part of LV's inner circle but instead
through maintaining a close connection with Lucius Malfoy. You could 
read this scene, along with Snape's favoritism toward Draco, as a
piece of evidence for this idea. <<

HunterGreen:
Personally, I think his favortism toward Draco is exactly what it 
seems. With Lucius being a few years older than Snape in school, and 
them both being in the same house, I can easily see a bit of hero 
worship being built up (Lucius is, after all from a long line of 
purebloods and is very wealthy, and I imagine he was quite popular in 
school). The two of them are simply still friends now, and out of 
loyalty he favors his friend's son. Why would they still be friends 
now that Snape is on the "good" side and Lucius is a far cry from it? 
As far as we can tell, switching sides had no effect on Snape's 
personality, so he probably still prefers the same people (he 
certainly still hates the same people, just because he's on 
Dumbledore's side now doesn't mean that him and Sirius--or even him 
and Lupin--are suddenly friends).

Sophierom:
>>You could also read the scene as a sign of Snape's cruelty (perhaps 
he simply doesn't care about Hermione and/or he shares the sentiment 
about "mudbloods.") Being a Snape-o-phile, I'm tempted to read the 
scene a little more optimistically. [snip] I'm also tempted to read
Snape's failure to make a remark about Hermione not as indifferent 
cruelty but instead as a very subtle sign that he's not happy with the
situation.
We all know Snape is one to pick on the Gryffindors. It wouldn't
have been out of character for him to say something like, "Oh,
what a pity the know-it-all isn't here to answer any questions
today." Given his typical mean behavior, I'd take silence as a 
compliment!<<

HunterGreen:
I tend to agree with you. It would seem strange for him to offer some 
sort of condolence of Hermione's inaction, and it would be equally 
odd for him to reprimand Draco. However, it wouldn't seem that out of 
place for him to make a cruel comment of his own about Hermione 
(which would be *very* cruel), but he doesn't say a word.  

Sophierom:
>>PoA, when/if I get to it, will be much more difficult for me to do.
With Lupin's caring as a foil, along with Snape's hatred of
Lupin and Black, my favorite greasy git is bound to look pretty bad 
in the next book! Still, will he look evil? We'll see. But he 
certainly didn't appear evil in CoS.<<

HunterGreen:
Looking forward to it (if you do write it that is). It is rather hard 
to defend him when he's being cold to Lupin at every opportunity, but 
then again, Lupin doesn't seem bothered by it (and he is dutifully 
making that potion for Lupin, although I'm sure he *detests* having 
to do it).