They're teenagers

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 125644


 
> Geoff:
> I nearly replied to Carol earlier today in connection with Snape 
> wanting to know what Harry did and did not know.> 
> I think that Hannah has put her finger on the heart of the matter - 
> he wanted to show Harry up.
snip
> I still find it surprising after many readings of PS that Snape 
lets his ill-feeling towards James to allow him to alienate Harry 
right from the word go.

Potioncat:
I think that's correct, he wanted to deflate Potter's head. But I'm 
not sure what his real motivation was. For that matter, do we need to 
know the reason?

Whatever Snape was thinking prior to the term beginning, by the time 
of this first Potions class, Harry is being treated like a celebrity. 
People are craning their necks to see him, people are talking about 
him. We know Snape is petty and we know he generally thinks the worst 
of people. I think he believes Harry is just like James. I'm not 
saying that excuses it, you know. Just that he thinks he is justified.

Potioncat