The Key to Snape?

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 139154

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Derek Hiemforth" <derek at r...>
wrote:
> I'm not going to pretend that I have done anywhere near the level
> of assessment of Snape's character that many on the list have done.
> Heck, I'm not even sure whether Snape is Evil!Snape or Good!Snape
> or Selfish!Snape or some combination thereof.
> 
> But one thing I have a very strong hunch about is that the key to
> understanding Snape is contained in the "Snape's Worst Memory"
> chapter of OP.  Namely, why was that his worst memory?  What
> element of that incident is the one so horrific to Snape that he
> considers it his worst memory?
> 
> I can't shake the feeling that when we know for certain the answer
> to that question, we'll be able to determine which Snape is the
> Real!Snape.  And since I shouldn't really make that assertion
> without throwing in a theory, here's my theory...  ;-)
> 
> I think it's his worst memory because he called Lily a Mudblood.
> 
> - Derek

Valky:
I can't yet say I am abolutely sure that your guess about Lily is
correct, Derek. But what I cn say is that your post got e thinking
exactly how to narrow down the item list of things in the Pensieve -
SWM. Which would be something like:

James and Sirius teasing him.
His underwear getting shown off.
Lily coming to his rescue.
Using the Sectumsempra curse.
Insulting Lily.

Couldn't we use canon to eliminate them down to one. For example:

James and Sirius Teasing him - he has more memories of this happening,
its probably not the only one - Eliminated.
His Underwear getting shown off - Lupin says everyone was doing it to
everyone in his day at Hogwarts, not unusual so he probably has more
memories of dangling upside down too - Eliminated
Lily coming to the rescue - Having a Muggleborn girl stand up for you
might be particularly embarrassing for someone whose friends are
purists - Leave in.
Using the Sectumsempra Curse - He was promising to use something nasty
on James, probably not unusual - Eliminated.
Insulting Lily - This came as a complete shock to Lily, so it's fair
to assume he might not have done this before, certainly not on a
regular basis - Leave in.

This process of elimination puts Snapes Worst Memory clearly in Lily's
court. By elimination having her come to his rescue and insulting her
were the most unusual things in the memory. 

OKay I am back on that darn ship again...

Valky leaps off the plank and swims safely to shore.