What might Snape consider cowardice?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 163699

> > >>Potioncat:
> > Someone else has just pointed out that Snape taunted Sirius with 
> > cowardice.
> > <snip>
> > Now, I have to dig deep for a long running debate between me,    
> > Carol(I think) and one of our Australian members. All I can      
> > remember is the name started with a V and I'd recognise them at  
> > once.....(showing my age)

> >>Valky:
> Hi Potioncat!
> Hehe ;) Yeah, it was me who was so shocked and shaken at the idea   
> that "sniveller" as in colloquial late 20th century english term   
> for a weak grovelling git, was anything short of a given for some   
> readers. 

Betsy Hp:
I seem to recall there was some debate about "sniveller" being a 
synonym for "snitch".  Which it's not as far as I know.  Weak, 
grovelling, and even git I'll give you.  But don't forget crying. <g>

> >>Valky:
> I'd be willing to run with this.... and lets just say, assuming that
> we're on the right track, what then, was it that Snape did which
> Sirius considered cowardly. 

Betsy Hp:
Honestly, I think crying would do it.  Crying is a majorly big no-no 
amongst young boys.  Especially if there isn't an obvious and 
universally accepted excuse for the tears.  Since I picture young!
Snape crying from rage, I can easily see Sirius (et al) concluding 
that he's a coward just from the tears alone.  (Which means, I guess, 
that Snape wasn't worrying about what Sirius would think during the 
run from the Tower.  Since he wasn't crying or anything. <g>)

> >>Valky:
> <snip of eliminated theories>
> Q. A Muggle????? 
> A. Bingo!!
> Snape's father was a muggle, and by what appears to be accounts,
> Snape's father was also an a***ole.

Betsy Hp:
This is still unconfirmed.  The a***oles could have been members of 
the Prince family.

> >>Valky:
> <snip>
> James and Sirius would definitely call attacking a defenseless, and
> pretty stupid, Muggle with a nasty spell, cowardly. Whereas, Snape
> might not have felt he had much choice given that is hot buttons had
> been pressed by someone with the same traits as the man who tortured
> him and is mother many years.. 
> 
> Ahhh Theory... I enjoyed that. But the big question is..
> Does it fly???

Betsy Hp:
See, *I* think attacking a muggle with a nasty spell is cowardly, but 
unless JKR is going for evil twins and evil Hagrid, she doesn't seem 
to feel the same way.  Especially since Dumbledore had a bit of fun 
using magic (though not nearly as nasty) against defenseless muggles.

According to what JKR has written, Snape attacking Petunia with magic 
would have probably made him seem quite cool to Sirius and James.  
For that reason, I don't think this theory flies myself.  (But please 
note I'm not throwing up a theory of my own, so take it for what it's 
worth.)

Betsy Hp (posting from work, and hoping this makes sense)