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

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 127099


>>Kate:
>I just have a question, really, (not just to Betsy, to anyone who 
wants to jump in).  And I am not trying to be snarky, I am really 
curious.  
<snip>
>So, if someone could please explain to me why they do believe Snape 
in this scene, that Sirius indeed meant to actually *kill* him, I'd 
be really interested.<

Betsy:
You don't sound snarky at all. :) I don't believe Sirius meant to 
*kill* Snape. I agree with what Magda said in message # 127074:

>>Magda:
>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.<

Betsy:
In other words, Sirius was probably not trying to kill Snape, but 
Snape *believed* that Sirius tried to kill him.  And the fact that 
Dumbledore tells Harry that Snape owes James a life-debt (which 
sounds rather formal) because of the Prank, means that Dumbledore, 
James and Snape all agreed that Snape's life was put at severe risk 
(and James' life as well, I imagine) because of the prank Sirius 
played.  It's not very smart to play with a werewolf.  I think Sirius 
fell victim to familiarity breeding contempt.  He was used to Lupin, 
even in werewolf form, not being dangerous to him.  Sirius forgot 
just how deadly and irrational a werewolf is if one can't shift into 
an animal form at will.

I do think that *Snape* still thinks Sirius cold-bloodedly set him up 
to be killed.  After all, Sirius hated him, Sirius is a Black, and 
Snape is *very* familiar with how those steeped in the dark arts 
think.  And Snape witnessed Sirius acting at his most Black-ish 
throughout their school career. The fact that Sirius doesn't seem at 
all repentant towards Snape, as far as Snape has witnessed, would 
only further Snape's belief that Sirius was really out to kill him 
that night.     

>>Sherry:
>And while we are on that, I'm always curious why people consider 
sirius so terrible, refer to the fact that in OOTP he still hates 
Snape, hasn't matured, etc, etc.  and yet, Snape hates Harry for the 
mere reason that Harry's father was James.
<snip>
>I also like the character of snape, because he is complex and has 
some deep issues, it seems.  but I think that holding a grudge 
against a child because you hated his father is one of the most 
immature and ridiculous things possible.  So, how is Snape any better 
than Sirius?<

Betsy:
Mmmm.  I kinda set this question up, I think, because I said 
something about Snape being the better man.  I'm rethinking that.  
Because I *do* like Sirius.  He's intensely loyal and will go to the 
*wall* to protect those he loves.  I think that's why Lily and James 
chose Sirius to be Harry's godfather (which answers a question posed 
by... Alla, I think?).  They knew that if Harry was ever in danger 
(which wasn't an idle worry, what with the prophecy and all) Sirius 
would risk everything to protect their son.  Which is born out in the 
books.  Sirius risks everything, gives up everything, for Harry. 

However, I *don't* like how Sirius treats Snape in OotP.  Sirius 
knows that Snape is one of the good guys now.  He knows Snape is out 
there risking his life.  And he knows that Dumbledore trusts Snape 
completely.  And yet he just can't stop baiting Snape.  He even 
belittles Snape in front of Harry just when Snape is being set up to 
teach Harry a vital skill.  Not smart, and not mature.  Especially 
when Sirius is the one on shaky moral ground.  I don't think Sirius 
*meant* to almost kill Snape back in the day, but the fact is, he 
did.  (The fact of the life-debt is what has me so sure the Prank was 
life threatening.)  It would have been nice if Sirius had seemed just 
a touch apologetic.

Of course, I think Sirius deals with feeling defensive by going on 
the attack.  So he may have felt some remorse over what he did to 
Snape and Lupin (and James for that matter), he just wasn't able to 
show it -- to Snape at least.  And of course, Sirius *was* 
emotionally stunted by his stint at Azkaban, and there's that theory 
he was being poisoned -- so maybe I've had too high expectations for 
poor Sirius.

I'm also of the mind that Snape does *not* hate Harry.  I think Harry 
annoys the crap out of him, but I don't think he hates Harry.  So I 
don't think Snape is quite as emotionally immature as Sirius is.  
Which is good, because Snape doesn't have as many excuses as Sirius 
does. *g*

Betsy, who got circular again, she thinks.