What might Snape consider cowardice?

[puduhepa98 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 163954

> 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.

>colebiancardi:
>I believe that it was Harry's  accusation of Snape killing Dumbledore
that pushed Snape over the edge. To be  called a coward is one thing,
but then to follow up with that with Harry's  declaration of "kill me
like you killed him" was the last straw
 
> I, Kemper, wondered in one of my answers, what does Snape consider  to
> be cowardice? Even though some have suggested that he loses his  cool
> hear because of some Marauder issues, I'm having difficulty buying  it.
> 
> What would Snape consider cowardice acts during the events  in the
> Lighting Struck Tower or the Flight of the Prince?
 
Nikkalmati
 
Harry has already called Snape a coward without much reaction, so I don't  
think it is that word alone that provokes Snape.  By referring to murder,  as in 
"why don't you murder me" ? Harry is demonstrating that he totally fails  to 
"get it."  Here Snape has been protecting Harry all along, he just  killed DD 
to protect Harry, and he is refraining right then from harming him and  the 
idiot boy still doesn't see it.  I think that is the main reason Snape  loses 
his cool and why he slaps Harry with a hex to drive home that he is  
deliberately not doing anything to Harry.  His rage is over the perception  that Harry is 
so stupid that he may make all of Snape's efforts fruitless. 
 
Nikkalmati



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