Snape enjoying the dictatorship (was: Re: [HPforGrownups] Re: Snape and Harry again.

[annegirl11 at juno.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 113274

Pippin said:
> After all, he could
> have used an authorized punishment, like whipping <veg>. 

Hey, ykno what I just realized? IIRC, when Umbridge allowed all those
crazy extreme punishments, Snape apparently didn't take advantage of
them. How odd. Unless he did, and we just didn't hear about it, but that
sounds like the kind of thing that would get mentioned in the book. 

Which begs the question, why didn't he crack any Gryffindor knuckles with
a wooden ruler? Is Snape all bark and no bite? (Kinda doubt that...) He's
been called sadistic by many a person -- character and fan -- and I'm not
going to get into *that* debate, but it's undeniable that Snape is at
least cruel, and does have a nasty temper. Was it just that he refused to
take advantage of priveledges given by a psycho nazi nearly-DE MoM tool?
Is that beneath Snape's dignity?

Or, is Snape just not the type to use corporal punishment in the
classroom? Words have always been Snape's primary weapon, and his harsh,
sarcastic wit (and it *is* wit, albiet cruel wit) has served him well
these 15 years of teaching. Snape appreciates subtlety, intelligence, and
manipulation; maybe blunt force *is* below his dignity.

And, yes, we've seen Snape become physical -- like when Harry snooped on
his Pensieve -- but (1) Snape had lost his temper in those moments and
(2) he seemed to be embarrased by his behavior later (not to be mistaken
with regretful), as if he was ashamed of loosing control.

Aura

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Well that's a horse of a different color.
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