Man the canons Re: Snape vs. Sirius (was: Snape's Stubbornness)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 127312


Alla:
> > In this speculation how did Sirius made Snape listen? Had he 
> > approached him in the Great Hall to make sure that he won't walk 
> > away? I see staged conversation as more likely possibility, IMO. 
> > You know what I am saying? I just don't see those two willingly 
> > coming into contact with each other, unless they want to hex
> > each other or harm each other otherwise. 
<snip>
> > I am not calling him a coward, on the contrary. I just don't see
> > him CARING MUCH if someone else will think of him as coward, if
> > the alternative is putting himself into the danger .

> Valky:
> How about Sirius taunts Snape with something like "I've been down
> there, I know where it goes and why." or something to that effect
> causing Snape to act on his jealous instincts to know and be in on
> *at least* as much conspiracy as his enemy.

Jen: Alla asks, what in the world would make Snape actually listen 
to Sirius, his sworn enemy? That's a fair question. Maybe as a first-
year, like when Harry agreed to meet Draco for a duel, Snape would 
be conned into doing something foolhardy. Why as a sixth-year is 
Snape still compelled to act on Sirius' words? He can't possibly 
believe Sirius has his best interests at heart! And Snape has a 
choice after all; there's no canon indication Sirius literally 
dragged him into that situation. 

Carol postulated pride, or fear of being called a coward. That's 
entirely possible. If Draco is our Slytherin guide though, Snape 
isn't supposed to be beguiled by fear of being called a coward. He's 
supposed to save his skin.

People extrapolate from the Pensieve incident in the fifth year that 
James and Sirius (especially) are bullies, and that they have spent 
most of their time at Hogwarts hounding Snape. If that's the case, 
and Snape not only hates James & Sirius, but he is also a victim of 
their bullying, it ups the ante even more--what in the world 
compelled him to go to the Whomping Willow that night?

And it's not just the night of the Prank. Severus is somehow 
destined to take on dangerous situations by himself when a bit of 
planning and collaboration might serve him & others better. Like 
taking on Quirrell by himself in Book 1, or going to the Shrieking 
Shack in POA. Both potentially had dire consequences for quite a few 
people. (As an aside I think Snape is a victim of plot purposes at 
time; he's called on to fill an ambigious role in the story which 
causes his motivations to seem vague and unclear).

In trying to postulate why this continues to happen, you can't 
overlook Snape's Achilles Heel--Curiousity. He's not one to let 
things be, or allow someone else to take over a situation in which 
he feels his prescence is necesary. I found his snide remark to 
Sirius about "wanting to feel involved" in OOTP a bit ironic, coming 
as it does from a character who prides himself on being at the right 
place at the right time.

I'm left believing simple curiousity is primarily what led Snape to 
the Willow that night, along with hoping to get the Marauders in 
trouble as a delicious just dessert. The gauntlet was thrown by 
Sirius, and Snape couldn't leave it and walk away. And 20 years 
later his agenda hasn't changed remarkably, has it?

Jen, thinking now how similar Snape and Harry are at times, when 
curiousity gets the better of them. ;)