In Defense of Snape (long)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 123264


SSSusan wrote:
> > <snip> But how would you explain what he [Snape] did 
> > in insulting Neville in front of Lupin & the whole class, in 
> > telling Lupin he wasn't trustworthy before his DADA class?  
> > Still a carryover of frustration?  It *felt* more flat-out nasty 
> > to me.

Carol responds:
> I know you don't agree and I'm not trying to convince you, but I've
> always read that scene as Snape reminding Lupin of who Neville is, 
> a Longbottom, whose boggart ought logically to be a Death Eater, 
> just as Harry's ought logically to be Voldemort. Lupin prevents 
> Harry from demonstrating and confronting his boggart assuming that 
> it will be too terrifying for the rest of the class to see (which 
> may well be true even though it's a Dementor rather than LV). 
> Surely a masked, wand-wielding DE would be almost equally 
> terrifying?


SSSusan:
Are you sitting down, Carol?  I actually think you may be right 
about this. :-)  If you or others have stated this possibility 
before, I confess that I've missed seeing it clearly before now.  I 
think it *would* be very SeverusSnapelike to drop a clue to someone 
that's hidden by virtue of being couched in what seems to be pure 
nastiness.

Despite my frequent protestations about Snape, I do always love to 
consider ways in which he might be doing something useful or helpful 
below the surface/behind the scenes/behind the sarcasm.  

Yet, you know I can't end this without *some* form of criticism, so 
I shall say:  Why couldn't Snape have pulled Lupin aside and offered 
this suggestion, rather than humiliating Neville in front of the 
whole class?  I know, I know -- he's Snape [whoops, sorry Potioncat, 
he's *Professor* Snape (the pr*ck)] and so he has to stay true to 
form.  But, honestly, how hard would it have been to have 
said, "Lupin.  A word, if you please?"  [Shuffle off to the edge of 
the room.]  "You are aware that Longbottom's boggart is likely to 
assume the shape of a Death Eater?"  Lupin would've known, Neville 
would've been spared embarrassment, and Snape would've avoided 
looking like a nice guy.

Darn the man!  I just can't back him 100%.  Even while I'm admitting 
that he might be doing something he thought would be helpful, I 
can't ignore the fact that he can't manage to do it in a way in 
which any *decent* person would.  

Siriusly Snapey Susan