CHAPDISC: HBP28, Flight of the Prince

[esmith222002]

No: HPFGUIDX 163616

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "colebiancardi" <muellem at ...> 
wrote:

> 6.	Snape loses his sardonic cool when Harry calls him a coward 
and
> refers to Dumbledore's death. This is the only time during the 
battle
> that Snape actually hits Harry with a curse. Why did Snape show his
> weakness to Harry? What was it about that statement that pushed 
Snape
> over the edge?  Harry called Snape a coward earlier, yet Snape just
> jeered at him then. Was it really about being called a coward or 
that
> Harry accuses Snape of killing Dumbledore?  This is my favorite
> question, BTW.  I can't wait to read the responses.

Brothergib:

The only other time that Snape has lost his cool in this way is when 
Sirius cheats death in POA. Therefore one could argue that it is the 
Marauders that truly get his blood boiling. He doesn't overreact the 
first time he mentions James, but if you believe that he is ESE 
Snape, then maybe he was trying to stick to his orders to leave 
Potter to the Dark Lord. However, his anger gets the better of him in 
the end and he does attack Harry.

However, I am only playing Devil's Advocate here, and my belief is 
that the accusation of cowardice in relation to DD's murder, is what 
prompted the extreme reaction from Snape.

> 8.	Hagrid has always defended Snape's trustworthiness. Why is 
that? Is
> it just because of Dumbledore's steadfastness or something else? 
After
> all, Hagrid was around at Hogwart's when Snape was a student - does 
he
> know something more about Snape than the rest of the Order?
> 
Brothergib again:

This follows on from my previous email - 

Hagrid was at Godric's Hollow soon after LV attacked - FACT!
How did he get there? Portkey - very, very unlikely IMO. Apparition - 
I think canon evidence suggests that Hagrid would not possess those 
skills. Side-along apparition - i.e. DD takes Hagrid with him to GH.

But why would DD go to GH? If he had information that an attack was 
imminent, then I'm sure he would have prepared a defence. If DD was 
ignorant to LV's plan, then someone had to inform DD that LV had 
attacked GH. An obvious candidate would be someone who a) was trusted 
by LV or b) could at least track his movements. Obvious candidate - 
Severus Snape.

Therefore Hagrid trusts Snape because he had seen direct proof of his 
allegiance at GH that night.

Brothergib