Nice vs. Good, honesty, and Snape: Was Snape, Apologies, and Redemption

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 153166

Alla:
> 
> He DOES use the word "expelled" in connection with Harry.

> "Most unfortunately, you are not in my House and the decision 
> to expel you does not rest with me. I shall go and fetch people 
> who do have that happy power"- CoS,p.79.

> But I am guessing that he does not really mean it here?

houyhnhnm:

Thank you.  I knew someone would save me the trouble.

Snape is giving them something to think about while he's gone, so they
can meditate on the seriousness of what they have done.  It's called
delayed consequences.  He is not making a declaration of intent to
lobby Dumbledore for their expulsion.  He's not even making a threat,
since, as he says, "the decision to expel you does not rest with me".