[HPforGrownups] Sectumsempra (was Re: Snape should have kicked James/Siri...

[puduhepa98 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 156204

>Julie
<snip>
 
>And if it *was* a Sectumsempra, then I think the reason it did so  little
damage to James is because Snape was still recovering and not  yet
in complete control of himself (as noted above), or of his powers--not  
because Snape *chose* to limit the damage to James. Snape had just
been  humiliated by James, his hated enemy, and laughed at by bystanders.
He's not  a friendly sort, and he's not one to take an insult well. And,  most
importantly of all, he's FIFTEEN! No fifteen year old boy is going to  exert
such rational thought and self-control in that situation ("Hmm, perhaps  I'll
just use a limited version of this potentially deadly spell to teach the  prat
a mild lesson, even though I HATE him and he just totally humiliated  me"). 
Especially not a boy as sensitive to insult and mockery as Snape. He'd  go
for the jugular instinctively, without any forethought or consideration of  
the
potential consequences. Much as Harry did with Draco in HBP.  

Nikkalmati:
Interesting thought, but I don't agree.  First, I don't see any reason  why 
the S-curse could not have been invented before it was written in the  Potions 
book.  It was "for enemies" and James/Sirius and Snape have been  enemies 
since first year.  Now, of course Snape could have been too  disoriented to cut 
deeply or the curse may have been weaker for some reason, but  I would suspect 
Snape had no desire to be suspended or expelled, which would  have happened if 
he had done real damage.  I believe we are meant to see  his control was very 
good even at this age.  I also believe we are meant to  see this incident in 
contrast to Harry's use of the curse in an   uncontrolled fashion, because JKR 
likes to set up these little contrasts for us  to find. (Example the Twins 
pranking Dudley and the DEs harassing the muggles at  the World Cup).  It also 
fits with the perception we have of Snape  being a very controlled calculating 
individual while Harry is impulsive.  
Nikkalmati  


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