Why Snape hates Neville

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 127597


Laurie wrote:
> 
> This has also piqued my curiosity as well. Other than
> the fact Neville is lousy at potions I have always
> wondered why he (Neville) is number two on Snape's hit
> list.


Hannah:  
Well, I rather like the theory that he maybe had a grudge against 
Frank and/or Alice Longbottom, perhaps if they killed one of his DE 
cronies whom he actually cared for.  OTOH, I have to grudgingly 
admit that it's more likely that Snape bullies Neville because he is 
an easy target.  He never mentions Neville's parents, and I guess he 
probably would have if he had a grudge.  

It's possible that the Longbottoms did have some sort of 
significance for Snape in his chequered past.  But maybe two 
personal grudges against the parents of the prophecy boys is 
stretching things a bit far.  I guess I'll just have to accept that 
Snape is a nasty bully who picks on Neville because he's easily 
intimidated and maybe (from Snape's POV) irritating.  :-(

Hannah