Snape's Cruelty Has Purpose (Was Re: lily/snape)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 150572

Betsy Hp: 
[edited to add] This may be a second post, but I fear Yahoo ate my 
first one. :(
***************

> >>Angie:
> <snip> 
> I've always thought that his cruelty toward Harry and Neville in  
> particular was at least partially for his own protection...       
> <snip>

> >>Deb:
> <snip> 
> Snape >has to< be nasty to Harry and Neville (and Ron and Hermione 
> by extension) just to preserve his undercover spy status with LV. 
> <snip>

> >>Magpie:
> I have to admit I never understand this reasoning--which sometimes
> goes along with the idea that he's faking his favor of Slytherins 
> as well, all to preserve his cover.
> <massive snip>
> The Superspy Theory of Everything may seem cool on the surface, but
> really, imo, it trashes a great if difficult character and leaves
> nothing in his place.

Betsy Hp:
I agree with Magpie.  Snape is Snape is Snape.  I seem to recall 
Sydney predicting that when the big reveal of Snape is done, those 
who've always hated him will continue to do so, and those who've 
always loved him will continue to do so.  He's a character type that 
can be hard to snuggle up to, but IMO, what makes him prickly makes 
him so very, very fascinating (and not a little sexy <g>).

There isn't a need for him to be nasty to Neville, and in fact, I'd 
say he'd be shocked if someone accused him of doing so.  Or at 
least, being nasty for personal reasons.  To Snape's mind, he's just 
doing his job as a teacher.  Harry is his own story, and I think 
there are many different things going on there, yet to be revealed.  
I suspect Snape isn't sure of what all motivates him with regards to 
Harry (or he may choose not to examine it too closely).  In the end, 
I think Snape is one of the more honest characters in the 
Potterverse.  He is who he is and, for a spy, he doesn't do much to 
hide it.

> >>Katssirius:
> <snip>
> Snape is cruel towards Neville because he is weak.  Surely Neville 
> is not the only timid or clumsy student at Hogwarts in their house 
> or even in their year.  Snape punishes Neville for not            
> succeeding.  Why should he care in particular about Neville?

Betsy Hp:
Snape cares about Neville because he's a dedicated teacher, IMO.  He 
does everything he can to drag Neville, kicking and screaming, 
through Potions.  No, Neville is not the first, nor will he be the 
last challenging student to pass through Hogwarts.  But he's the 
clumsiest student *Harry* sees.  There may be a Hufflepuff or a 
Ravenclaw as terrified of Snape as Neville is, in their year.  But 
Harry will never witness Snape swooping down on their as wrong as it 
possibly can be potion because he's not in their class.

> >>Pippin:
> We keep asking why Snape hates Harry and Neville so much,
> but what if that's the wrong question? What if Snape wants
> Harry and Neville to hate *him*?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I really don't think it's ever been personal with Neville.  
Remember, Neville had to call attention to *himself* in PS/SS (the 
melted cauldron) for Snape to even start on him.  Whereas Snape came 
gunning for Harry immediately.  And not, I think, for purely 
calculated reasons.

> >>Pippin:
> I wonder if Snape finally found out that the Lestranges knew      
> nothing of the prophecy when they  attacked the Longbottoms, and   
> that's why he's no longer picking on Neville in HBP?

Betsy Hp:
Or, maybe Neville doesn't screw up in DADA as he did in Potions 
after all his one-on-one training with Harry the year before.

IIRC, Snape doesn't pick on Neville that much past PoA, where 
Neville had his biggest Potions crises and needed the most help.  
Also, Snape *never* makes it personal with Neville.  Never.  It is 
always Neville's abilities as a student, not his crazy parents or 
his grandmother's disappointment in him, that get brought up.  If 
Snape really wanted to make life hell for Neville, he's ignored some 
pretty powerful ammunition, IMO.  

Betsy Hp, who missed talking about Snape and is eyeing all 
those "too much Snape!" posters with caution <g>