Snape's Worst (and Best!) OoP Moment?

[Tammy]

No: HPFGUIDX 132545

> --- Siriusly Snapey Susan wrote:
> 
> > No, his worst moment imo was his *goading* of Sirius as 12GP.
> > [snip] 

> Magda replied:
> You say that like it's a bad thing.
> 
> What Snape wants - and is getting - in this scene is
> simply...payback.  He's taunting Sirius and getting him riled up
> because he knows he can turn the tables now and there's jack-all
> Sirius can do about it.  He's enjoying having the control.
> 
> I suppose I should feel outraged about it but after the pensieve
> scene I figure that Sirius had it coming.  (And I'm not open to
> changing my mind on this, just to cut short the deluge of email I'm
> going to get over it).

Tammy:

I agree with Magda, Snape's getting his revenge. I'm certain there is
more backstory coming regarding Snape and the Marauders, but at the
moment, it seems that Snape's got his right to taunt when he can.
While it's not Snape at his high point, I do think it's standard
Snape. 

My nomination for worst Snape moment would be when he threw that jar
of cockroaches at Harry. However right Snape was in his anger at
Harry, Snape completely lost his self-control at that moment (what
little self-control he manages around Harry & Co. that is). I think
even Snape would agree that was his worst moment. 


> Siriusly Snapey Susan wrote:
> > And just to try to keep things *POSITIVE*, how `bout nominations
> > for Snape's BEST moment in OoP, too?  


> Magda replied:
> That's easy.  Umbridge's office, she's just asked him for
veritaserum
> and he turns her down, and she says she wants to make Harry talk. 
> And he gives her a chatty just-between-us-evil-types commentary on
> the pluses and minuses of using poison to get someone to talk.
> 
> Classic Snape.  Best moment in the series.


Tammy:
A firm "me too!" to that one! It's a classic example of Snape being
helpful and unhelpful at the same time. He's unhelpful to Umbridge by
not providing the Veritaserum (which we all know he's got), but still
seems helpful with the hilarious bit about poisons. I completely
believe him when he says "Unless you wish to poison Potter - and I
assure you I would have the greatest sympathy for you if you did - I
cannot help you. The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to
give the victim much time for truth-telling...." (ch.32, pg745 US
paperback) I can fully hear Snape saying that, with honest regret that
he couldn't poison Potter. But better than that, is the last comment
just as he's leaving the office, on the next page - "And Crabbe,
loosen you hold a little, if Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot
of tedious paperwork, and I am afraid I shall have to mention it on
your reference if you ever apply for a job." It's such a classic Snape
moment that it deserves a medal of honor. I'd even nominate it as best
Snape moment of the series.

-Tammy, who hopes for many more classic Snape moments in 3 days, 9
hours, and 55 minutes.