Half-Blood Prince

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 183767

I'm still not clear why young Snape chooses the nickname 'Half-Blood
Prince'.  Is he motivated by pride in his heritage?  Does the name
indicate a tinge of bitterness or regret?  Is it a symbolic attempt to
cut his Muggle father out of the picture?  Well, maybe not the last
one since he claims half-blood status, unlike Voldemort.

Assuming Half-Blood Prince Snape is a 6th year the same as Harry, or
thereabouts given JKR's maths situation, he's already on the road to
following Voldemort.   Wouldn't he downplay his blood status instead
of glorifying in it?  Because he sounds proud of the name when
revealing he's the Half-Blood Prince to Harry.  Maybe he chooses the
name as a private reminder of where he came from, a hint of regret for
where he's heading.

For every answer I come up with, a counter argument pops into my head!

Mystified!Jen