The impact of SWM (very long)

[June Ewing]

No: HPFGUIDX 189923

Bart:
Here's the thing: while we witness James & Sirius's antics, we only
hear about Snape's side more or less second hand from sources that
are prejudiced (Lupin) or have reason to hide some of the facts
(DD). So we have to use clues. Snape was skilled in curses (from
Lupin, Sirius and HBP notes), gave as good as he got (from Lupin),
and it was a rivalry rather than a case of bullies and a victim
(DD). Still, as Snape came from an abusive background (Snape's
memories), he was a good target for Morty's followers (Snape's
memories).

Let's take a look at SWM. Consider his use of the term, "Mudblood"
for Lily. Now, as half-Muggle himself, one can be reasonably
certain that "Mudblood" is NOT a term he grew up with. And for the
Sorting Hat to put him into Slytherin, he needed to have factors
which were more important than his half-blood status <snip>

<snip>

In order for Snape to draw upon it in anger, he must have been
using it on a sufficiently regular basis that, when his angry brain
searched for an appropriate response, that was the word that came
up. As we find out in the final book, the problem wasn't his
humiliation by James; it was that, when it came down to it, he
reflexively chose the DE's and rejected Lily. <snip> (as an aside,
I had REALLY hoped that JKR would have a "good Slytherin" who would
join with Harry and/or the DA's, one with the attitude "This rivalry
stuff is just a game; Morty is REAL."). <snip>


June:
I have to agree with Bart that we do only see one side of the abuse
of Snape. Given what I have seen of the way Snape was toward Harry
I would think just the fact that James was interested in Lily would
probably be enough for Snape to lash out at James.

As for the lash out of he calling Lily a Mudblood, personally I am
not a swearer at all but if pushed in a corner I can sound like a
trucker, lol. Therefore it is possible that feeling pushed into a
corner he could have used a word (Mudblood) that he normally would
not have. That being said, he was totally out of line to say it to
Lily like he did and it may have been a normal thing for him to say
(I am on the wall with that one).

Also I feel I should let you know that Snape himself isn't a
mudblood. A mudblood is a witch or wizard where both the parents
are muggles. Snape's mother was a witch but his father was a muggle
so he was half blood (like Voldemort).

One more thing. Hagrid had said that every witch or wizard who
turned evil had been in Slytherin. That doesn't mean that every
Slytherin is evil. Also he either didn't want to mention or forgot
that there was at least one who was not from Slytherin. At that
time everyone thought it was Sirius but it turned out to be
Wormtail, both of whom were from Gryffindor. Also let's not forget
Sirius' brother Regulus who was a Slytherin but turned good.