Snape can't stand being called a coward--or not

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 135753

I've just been rereading part of HBP (something I think I'll be doing a  LOT
until Book 7 comes out. There's been some discussion on Snape's
reaction to Harry calling him a coward, and I noticed something very 
interesting when rereading the "duel" between Harry and Snape. 
Harry calls Snape a coward TWICE, but Snape only flips out the
second time.
 
The first time is when Harry screams at Snape to "Fight back, 
you cowardly--", at which point Snape cuts him off, saying--
 
"Coward, did you call me, Potter?" shouted Snape. "Your father
would never attack me unless it was four on one, what would you
call him, I wonder?"
 
In this first exchange, Snape doesn't seem that upset, and 
there's no expression of rage or pain. He takes no action against
Harry but simply insults James, which of course further angers 
Harry. 
 
The next time Harry calls Snape a coward is after Harry has tried
to use the Half-Blood Prince's curses against Snape, and Harry
is on the ground defenseless while Snape goes into his "I, the
Half-Blood Prince..." spiel (while taking no action again except 
to hex Harry's wand away). Then the following ensues--
 
"Kill me then," panted Harry, who felt no fear at all, but only rage
and contempt. "Kill me like you killed him [James], you coward--"
 
"DON'T--" screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented,
inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling
dog stuck in the house behind them-- "CALL ME COWARD!"
 
Then Harry feels a white-hot whiplike something hit him across the
face, and is slammed back against the ground. (And is the first, and
only, time Snape physically takes action against Harry)
 
I respectfully submit that Snape didn't react to the word "coward"
when Harry said it the second time. He doesn't really care if 
Harry or anyone else thinks he's cowardly in general. He reacted 
specifically to being called a coward for *killing* Dumbledore. And
this seems a bit of evidence supporting the SecretlyGood!Snape
theory, for why else would Snape be so pained and enraged by
being called a coward for that action, if in fact it wasn't because
it was the one thing he did that took the most courage he'd ever
mustered? If he was ESE!Snape, this specific accusation of 
cowardice wouldn't be any different than any other accusation
of cowardice, since he didn't really care about Dumbledore 
anyway. 
 
Thoughts?
 
Julie 
 


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