Another Take on "Snivellus"

[lagattalucianese]

No: HPFGUIDX 135626

In Chapter II of *The Daughter of Time* by Josephine Tey, the
detective, Grant, and his surgeon are discussing a portrait of Richard
III that Grant is pondering over:

    "When I showed you the portrait," Grant said, "before you knew
  who it was, did you think of villainy?"
    "No," said the surgeon, "no, I thought of illness."

I can't help wondering if Snape's unhappy childhood crippled him
physically as well as emotionally. His complexion is described as
"sallow" (SS/PP, Ch. 7), and in OotP, Ch. 28, he has "skinny, pallid
legs". Perhaps childhood neglect and poverty left him with a weakness
toward some frequent or chronic illness (asthma? something triggered
by stress or unhappiness?) that is the source of the Marauders' cruel
nickname. Poor health might also explain why, although Snape is the
more skillful wizard, James is physically quicker and therefore able
to get the jump on him.

I have been a teacher long enough, and a student recently enough, to
remember how nasty young chilcren (and not-so-young children who
should know better) can be to a classmate who is perceived as somehow
"defective".

--Gatta