Snape's worst memory...you are kidding right?

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 150603

 Joe Goodwin wrote:
> >
> > Here is something that has bothered me for a while. Could the 
> scene in the pensive really be Snape worst memory? A high school(in 
> the US) altercation with a couple of guys he didn't like? Doesn't 
> that sound way to much like those Jerry Springer commercials "Got 
> issues from high school and want to confront your old schoolmate?"
> Deb here:
> - or the "what came next" had dire consequences. 

zgirnius:
This reminded me of a theory I've come across elsewhere. The incident 
occured after the written part of the DADA OWL exam-which means the 
practical part would have come that afternoon, soon after the 
incident. Why were we shown the memory starting with the end of the 
exam? (Well, the point could be to prove to us and Harry that there 
really was absolutely no proximate action by Snape which could be 
said to have 'caused' the incident...but never mind.) Perhaps because 
the timing was relevant. What if Snape, upset over the incident, was 
so flustered he failed to qualify for NEWT classes in DADA based on a 
lousy performance on the practical OWL? It's clearly one of his two 
strongest areas of talent and interest, so this could have closed off 
his chosen career path(s), as whatever they were, they would have 
involved DADA. A way the incident would have had a real, 'practical' 
as opposed to 'merely' emotional impact on his future, and another 
reason he may view is as a key moment in his descent to becoming a 
Death Eater.

Though, honestly, bad school memories...are just bad. I don't see 
anything lame about them. When you're that age, it can be hard to 
believe that school is not the rest of your life.

>Deb:
> Or maybe his "worst memory" is his reaction - or overreaction - to 
> Harry's dip into the Penseive. Maybe the memory that gets the title 
> of "worst" is Snape losing control and throwing a specimen jar at 
> Harry.    

zgirnius:
That's an interesting thought!

Or maybe it is not really Snape's worst memory. Maybe it is one of 
the two Harry did not see. Or maybe Harry assumes (having seen SWM) 
that Snape put his worst memories in the Pensieve, but really Snape 
put in the memories he'd most prefer Harry not see, which is not 
necessarily the same thing.