Snape vs. Sirius (was: Snape's Stubbornness)

[katevldz]

No: HPFGUIDX 127090



Magda:
<snip>  
 Well, I think you answered your own question.  Snape is so
 emotionally distraught that whether or not Sirius did intend to kill
 him through the Prank (and while I think Sirius is an idiot I don't
 think he was trying to kill Snape deliberately), there's no doubt
 that Snape sincerely believes that Sirius did.
 <snip>

I'm sorry, perhaps I am not being clear. I'm not asking if Snape sincerely believes that the 
correct interpretation of events is that Sirius intended to kill him. I definitely think Snape 
does wholeheartedly believe that was the intention. 
 
This reply upthread spurred my original question: 

  > >>Bonnie:
 <snip>
> >In chapter 21 of POA:
> >" 'You surely don't believe a word of Black's story?' Snape
> whispered, his eyes fixed on Dumbledore's face.
> >.......'Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder at the age of
> sixteen,' he breathed. 'You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster? You
> haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?' "
> <snip>
>
> Betsy:
> Because Sirius tried to *kill* Snape?
<snip>

What I don't understand is why some readers readily accept Snape's interpretation of said 
event as being accurate and correct, with little to no corroboration of his story. I don't 
have my books at hand, so I may be forgetting something, but does anyone else 
corroborate Snape's story? I know DD responds to Snape in PoA that he remembers 
everything clearly (or something like that), but he never says Yes, I remember, he tried to 
kill you. And I think DD says in PS when talking to Harry that James saved Snape's life a 
long time ago. But just because James ended up saving Snape's life doesn't mean it 
translates to Sirius intended to kill Snape. IIRC (and please correct me if I'm wrong), we 
hear the story of The Prank from Snape who is angry with Harry at the time and is trying to 
cut James down in Harry's eyes. Is Snape's version of The Prank the only one we hear 
(again, don't have my books and can't remember, sorry!)?  (I also just want to point out 
here that I am in no way defending Sirius' behavior in this situation. This is just something 
that bugs me.)

So what I am asking is why does it seem some readers accept Snape's (obviously biased) 
view of the story as what seems to be fact but often point out that Sirius should be taken 
with a grain of salt when he relays information about past events? I just want to know what 
makes Snape more believable here. 
 
 Magda:
> Also Sirius is maddeningly imprecise about dates and timing when he
> talks about the past.

This I can buy. :)

Again, no snarkiness intended, really just curious,
Kate