Yeah, there was another post up tonight theorizing about why on earth Snape picks Neville to terrorize. She thought it had something to do with Snape knowing Alice, but I really think that Snape just figured he was an easy target. And possibly also sensed that serenity that Neville does have, or could possibly have, and was jealous because he knows he'll never have it. So that made him pick on him more.
Anyone who's in any way satisfied with themselves gets Snape's wrath, which is why I think Ron and Hermione have managed to mostly escape it thus far. That Snape is so sensitive to it that he could see (or maybe sense) it in nervous little Neville isn't surprising because he's felt so inadequate for so many years that he would be uber-sensitive to that type of thing. The odd thing, though, is that you'd think his break with the DEs would have changed this, that he would have gained more confidence in himself by making a choice and admitting his disgust at James and Lily's murders, much like Draco will probably do as he reconciles with the fact that he couldn't kill Dumbledore. But then Dumbledore could have been mistaken, and he could have switched sides for a reason that had more to do with power and just seeing who had the most of it. The idea that he would become a spy after Voldemort was considered defeated is...interesting, because what would he be spying on? But anyway, yes, it's really surprising to me that Snape's been through so much and hasn't changed at all.
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Anyone who's in any way satisfied with themselves gets Snape's wrath, which is why I think Ron and Hermione have managed to mostly escape it thus far. That Snape is so sensitive to it that he could see (or maybe sense) it in nervous little Neville isn't surprising because he's felt so inadequate for so many years that he would be uber-sensitive to that type of thing. The odd thing, though, is that you'd think his break with the DEs would have changed this, that he would have gained more confidence in himself by making a choice and admitting his disgust at James and Lily's murders, much like Draco will probably do as he reconciles with the fact that he couldn't kill Dumbledore. But then Dumbledore could have been mistaken, and he could have switched sides for a reason that had more to do with power and just seeing who had the most of it. The idea that he would become a spy after Voldemort was considered defeated is...interesting, because what would he be spying on? But anyway, yes, it's really surprising to me that Snape's been through so much and hasn't changed at all.