More Snape Defense, regarding Snape's childhood. (Long)

[festuco]

No: HPFGUIDX 123036


> Trekkie:
> I think his rejection of Lily's help was the general defense pattern
popping up. The "don't let anyone get close enough - emotionally - to
hurt you later. And given his upbringing, he DID have (and possibly
has still) prejudices agaist mudbloods.

Gerry: 
I think there might be something else. Lily is not helping him, that
would means they would work together. She is trying to protect him.
Probably Lily pities him. I don't know if anybody ever was on the
receiving end of protection or pity from people who ought to be your
equals, but it can be just as humiliating as being bullied. If
anything, Lily acknowledges James' superiority over Snape, she does
not trust him to fight his own fight. She also asserts (not meaning to
I'm sure) her own superiority over Snape, at least in his eyes by
placing herself above him. 

As for getting too close: that someone defends you against a bully
does not mean they want to be your friend. That people don't like
bullying does not mean they want to have anything to do with Snape. If
Snape was really as unpopular throughout his youth and teenage years
as is suggested in OoP he will have learned that lesson quite well. 

Gerry