James and Snape. Was. Re: Snape and Harry again.

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 113807

 
> Valky:
> I don't have PoA on me because I lent it, but if you could please 
> refer to the Shrieking Shack where Pettigrew pleads desperately 
for  mercy. Now _that_ is snivelling where I come from. Does that 
help?


Potioncat:
Bingo!  Now we are on the same page.  This reminds me of the thread 
not too long ago about Hermione's ambition/Slytherin traits.

Yes, without looking back myself, Peter was snivelling and I don't 
think this is strictly a British definition.  So we are agreed on 
this meaning of snivelling although we may see it differently on a 
continuum of character... (and that may be individual differences 
rather than cultural differences.) 

Without looking back, Draco may have been sniveling when he 
complained that he couldn't prepare his potion ingredients and Snape 
made Harry and Ron do it. (He might not have been, I don't 
completely remember.)

Here is where you and I may have been confused about each other's 
viewpoint.  For an adult or older teen to act this way is a 
character flaw.  For a little child, or possibly an older child to 
act this way is an annoying behavior that should be corrected.

I can certainly see McGonagall nipping that sort of behavior in the 
bud. In today's touchy-feely world, the child would be encourage to 
validate their feelings. (or something of the sort.)

So, perhaps the Marauders call Severus that because he snivels for 
help(?) when they are fighting, or because he tattles...is that your 
point?  I'm talking about 11 -15 year old Severus here. Or even 15 
year old Severus stuck with a nickname  he was given several years 
prior.

Now, within the British use of the word, is it also possible he got 
the name because he had been crying over something?  Or is it 
possible they are just calling him a "snot"?  All the runny nose 
comments at the pensieve scene make me wonder if that is the case.  
(Not even that he really did have a runny nose.)

Maybe how you and I see this differently is that you think the 
Marauders are justified and he deserved the nickname.  I think they 
are being mean.  I don't know which it is, but I really like how 
clearly this scene changes based on preconceptions!

Do you see any snivelling behavior in the Pensieve scene?  Or have 
you seen adult Snape behave in a snivelling manner?
 


> 
>  
snipping Potioncat post: 
> > OoP chapter 28
> > "How'd the exam go, Snivelly?" said James.
> > "I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," said 
> > Sirius viciously.  "There'll be great grease marks all over it, 
> they won't be able to read a word."
> > 
> >  and a bit later:
> > 
> > "Wait for what?" said Sirius coolly. "What are you going to do, 
> > Snivelly, wipe your nose on us?"
> > 
snipping Valky's reply

> Potioncat:
> > And is it just me, or does Sirius sound a lot like Draco?

snipping Valky's reply again

Potioncat:
Just to quickly clarify, because I've seen a couple of replies to 
this question.  Only in the above quotes, doesn't JKR's descripton 
of Sirius' behavior sound like her description of Draco's behavior?  
I never noticed it until I started copying it down.  I am not saying 
at all that Sirius and Draco are counterparts.

I won't say every minute of this thread has been fun, but working it 
out has! 
Potioncat