Spoilers
 on all five books!!!

Warning: In absolutely no case must this text be used for other things than evaluation, fan or inspiration purposes.  I do this only to allow other fans to appreciate the delightful work of JK Rowling and make a full character analysis of one of her creations.  
No money is being made, keep it that way! 

Original text

Analysis

This separation from his spellbooks had been a real problem for Harry, because his teachers at Hogwarts had given him a lot of holiday work. One of the essays, a particularly nasty one about shrinking potions, was for Harry's least favorite teacher, Professor Snape, who would be delighted to have an excuse to give Harry detention for a month.

"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. Only those who had been in the compartment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard, Harry among them. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.

"Look at Snape!" Ron hissed in Harry's ear.

Professor Snape, the Potions master, was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape ,wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, but even Harry, who hated Snape, was startled at the expression twisting his thin, sallow face. it was beyond anger: it was loathing. Harry knew that expression only too well; it was the look Snape wore every time he set eyes on Harry.

Snape's face is described as thin and sallow

Malfoy didn't reappear in classes until late on Thursday morning, when the Slytherins and Gryffindors were halfway through double Potions. He swaggered into the dungeon, his right arm covered in bandages and bound up in a sling, acting, in Harry's opinion, as though he were the heroic survivor of some dreadful battle.

"How is it, Draco?" simpered Pansy Parkinson. "Does it hurt much?"

"Yeah," said Malfoy, putting on a brave sort of grimace. But Harry saw him wink at Crabbe and Goyle when Pansy had looked away.

"Settle down, settle down," said Professor Snape idly.

Harry and Ron scowled at each other; Snape wouldn't have said "settle down" if they'd walked in late, he'd have given them detention. But Malfoy had always been able to get away with anything in Snape's classes; Snape was head of Slytherin House, and
generally favored his own students above all others.

They were making a new potion today, a Shrinking Solution. Malfoy set up his cauldron right next to Harry and Ron, so that they were preparing their ingredients on the same table.

"Sir," Malfoy called, "sir, I'll need help cutting up these daisy roots, because of my arm --"

"Weasley, cut up Malfoy's roots for him," said Snape without looking up. Ron went brick red.

"There's nothing wrong with your arm," he hissed at Malfoy. Malfoy smirked across the table.

"Weasley, you heard Professor Snape; cut up these roots."

Ron seized his knife, pulled Malfoy's roots toward him, and began to chop them roughly, so that they were all different sizes.

"Professor," drawled Malfoy, "Weasley's mutilating my roots, sit."

Snape approached their table, stared down his hooked nose at the roots, then gave Ron an unpleasant smile from beneath his long, greasy black hair.

"Change roots with Malfoy, Weasley."

"But, sir --!"

Ron had spent the last quarter of an hour carefully shredding his own roots into exactly equal pieces.

"Now," said Snape in his most dangerous voice.

Ron shoved his own beautifully cut roots across the table at, Malfoy, then took up the knife again.

"And, sir, I'll need this shrivelfig skinned," said Malfoy, his voice full of malicious laughter.

"Potter, you can skin Malfoy's shrivelfig," said Snape, giving Harry the look of loathing he always reserved just for him.

Harry took Malfoy's shrivelfig as Ron began trying to repair the damage to the roots he now had to use. Harry skinned the shrivelfig as fast as he could and flung it back across the table at Malfoy without speaking.

Malfoy was smirking more broadly than ever.

"Seen your pal Hagrid lately?" he asked them quietly.

"None of your business," said Ron jerkily, without looking up.

"I'm afraid he won't be a teacher much longer," said Malfoy in a tone of mock sorrow. "Father's not very happy about my injury --"

"Keep talking, Malfoy, and I'll give you a real injury," snarled Ron.

"- he's complained to the school governors. And to the Ministry of Magic. Father's got a lot of influence, you know. And a lasting injury like this" -- he gave a huge, fake sigh -- "who knows if my arm'll ever be the same again?"

"So that's why you're putting it on," said Harry, accidentally beheading a dead caterpillar because his hand was shaking in anger. "To try to get Hagrid fired."

"Well," said Malfoy, lowering his voice to a whisper, "partly, Potter.

But there are other benefits too. Weasley, slice my caterpillars for me."

 Also notice the word "generally" in the last sentence. Snape generally favors his house. Hence, it doesn't mean he always does, but often then. However, Harry just thought about the fact that Draco never ends up with anything. This reinforces my theory that Draco is special because he's a Malfoy, bond in some way to Severus. A way we unfortunately do not know as of yet.

Noticed how Snape doesn't even look up?  That's one element that shows how Snape's good at doing multiple things at the same time, and knowing in advance the consequences of situations: he knows Malfoy needs help!
 Frankly, I'm beginning to think that Snape is not only dealing with Malfoy because it's a political matter, but also because he enjoys having Harry Potter & Inc annoyed by him! Maybe no teacher ever took Snape's side when he was being annoyed by the Marauders and is therefore allowing Draco his life-time wish of having a figure of authority on his side. Maybe! 

 Important: Snape goes to observe for himself what Malfoy just said. Hence, he does not trust Malfoy's words or judgment upon the matter! Which is a good sign that Snape's not head over heel for his Slytherins!
Snape's hooked nose and long greasy black hair are referred to again!
This is a good consequence! Very pedagodagical because it's fair. The problem is, this is Malfoy we're talking about, so fair may not be so appropriate!

I think this situation did hit a nerve to get Snape to use his most dangerous voice!  So, my theory of Snape being annoyed by Malfoy's wining and having to still encourage him further seems to fit.  Add it to the fact that Snape doesn't want to be answered back by a Weasley of course!   I think both theories are pretty realistic!
Really, do you see Snape caring for such a childish boy? I don't!

So, here we finally learn that Snape has a speacial "loathing Harry" look that he exclusively reserve for Harry!  That's interesting because you would think Snape is like that with other people too.  Hence, this shows how unnatural this behaviour is.  Like I said, Snape doesn't see Harry, he sees James and surely all the times he had to put up with him being a hero and a persecutor!

Lucius Malfoy's influence!  Well, here's a proof of how Snape must be careful around Draco!  After all, where there's politics, there's corruption!

A few cauldrons away, Neville was in trouble. Neville regularly went to pieces in Potions lessons; it was his worst subject, and his great fear of Professor Snape made things ten times worse. His potion, which was supposed to be a bright, acid green, had turned --

"Orange, Longbottom," said Snape, ladling some up and allowing to splash back into the cauldron, so that everyone could see.

"Orange. Tell me, boy, does anything penetrate that thick skull of yours? Didn't you hear me say, quite clearly, that only one rat spleen was needed? Didn't I state plainly that a dash of leech juice would suffice? What do I have to do to make you understand, Longbottom?"

Neville was pink and trembling. He looked as though he was on the verge of tears.

"Please, sir," said Hermione, "please, I could help Neville put it right --"

"I don't remember asking you to show off, Miss Granger," said Snape coldly, and Hermione went as pink as Neville. "Longbottom, at the end of this lesson we will feed a few drops of this potion to your toad and see what happens. Perhaps that will encourage you to do it properly."

Snape moved away, leaving Neville breathless with fear.

"Help me!" he moaned to Hermione.

I think Snape hates people who show off (in his opinion of course)! Why? Gryffindor behaviour of course!  Slytherins will show off more in the background, hidden so as to keep control of the situation if someone comes back at them.  

One more thing: I think Snape's trying to understand if Neville is naturally bad at potions or just too lazy to do it correctly.  Putting his toad at risk will indeed answer this question because a lazy person is still capable of doing things right when given proper motivation! Of course, since we all know Hermione will help Neville, this means he is naturally bad at potions!  

"What are you talking about?" said Harry angrily, but at that moment Snape called, "You should have finished adding your ingredients by now; this potion needs to stew before it can be drunk, so clear away while it simmers and then we'll test Longbottom's... "

Crabbe and Goyle laughed openly, watching Neville sweat as he stirred his potion feverishly. Hermione was muttering instructions to him out of the corner of her mouth, so that Snape wouldn't see. Harry and Ron packed away their unused ingredients and went to wash their hands and ladles in the stone basin in the corner.

"What did Malfoy mean?" Harry muttered to Ron as he stuck his hands under the icy jet that poured from the gargoyle's mouth "Why would I want revenge on Black? He hasn't done anything to me -- yet.

"He's making it up," said Ron savagely. "He's trying to make you do something stupid...."

The end of the lesson in sight, Snape strode over to Neville, who was cowering by his cauldron.

"Everyone gather 'round," said Snape, his black eyes glittering, "and watch what happens to Longbottom's toad. If he has managed to produce a Shrinking Solution, it will shrink to a tadpole. If, as I don't doubt, he has done it wrong, his toad is likely to be poisoned."

The Gryffindors watched fearfully. The Slytherins looked excited. Snape picked up Trevor the toad in his left hand and dipped a small spoon into Neville's potion, which was now green. He trickled a few drops down Trevor's throat.

There was a moment of hushed silence, in which Trevor gulped; then there was a small pop, and Trevor the tadpole was wriggling in Snape's palm. The Gryffindors burst into applause. Snape, looking sour, pulled a small bottle from the pocket of his robe, poured a few drops on top of Trevor, and he reappeared suddenly, fully grown.

"Five points from Gryffindor," said Snape, which wiped the smiles from every face. "I told you not to help him, Miss Granger. Class dismissed."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione climbed the steps to the entrance hall. Harry was still thinking about what Malfoy had said, while Ron was seething about Snape.

"Five points from Gryffindor because the potion was all right!

Why didn't you lie, Hermione? You should've said Neville did it all by himself!"

  Count on Snape to hold his promises!

There's a stone basin in the corner of the room to wash students' hands and laddles!  I wonder if they thought of that in the movie?

Also count on Snape to "stride" to his victim as well.

Body language: when Snape expects to be right about something or finds something amusing, his black eyes glitters!  (See below for another example)

Of course, Snape wants everyone to "learn" from this experience. It's a kind of propaganda and Snape's quite aware of it.  Also, notice how Snape is sure Neville was incapable of getting his potion right by himself.  I don't think Snape would allow Trevor to die here since it wouldn't do him good publicity as an ex-Death Eater would it?  But then again, for Snape, toads must be nothing more than potions ingredients!

I really like this reaction of Snape.  Very fast (since he taught Neville had done it wrong, and that Hermione would listen to his warning since she never wants to displease a teacher).  It's very logical as well.

We see here how Hermione respects Snape's cleverness for discovering what she had done.  Very humble of her indeed.

[I put volontary paragraphs sometimes because I lacked space]

The staffroom, a long, paneled room full of old, mismatched chairs, was empty except for one teacher. Professor Snape was sitting in a low armchair, and he looked around as the class filled in.
[space]
His eyes were glittering and there was a nasty sneer playing around his mouth. As Professor Lupin came in and made to close the door behind him, Snape said, "Leave it open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this."

[space]

He got to his feet and strode past the class, his black robes billowing behind him. At the doorway he turned on his heel and said, "Possibly no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear."

Neville went scarlet. Harry glared at Snape; it was bad enough that he bullied Neville in his own classes, let alone doing it in front of other teachers.

[space]

Professor Lupin had raised his eyebrows.

"I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation," he said, "and I am sure he will perform it admirably." Neville's face went, if possible, even redder. Snape's lip curled, but he left, shutting the door with a snap.

[I'm going to skip the boggart definition part here!]

This is a low-arm chair also called a Bergere in French. I think I could have guessed it was Snape's chair all along!  It looks so much like him: aristocratic, classi, efficient for reading, comfortable!

I think the mismatched chairs are due to each teacher having one.  Hence, Snape must be possessing the low armchair, which suits him well I think.  These kind of chairs are good for reading peacefully and are elegant at the same time.
 The glittering eyes again!  Something's going on in his head!  See how it goes along with his playful sneer? What is he thinking?  Maybe he laughs at what a joke of a DADA class this is, hence at Lupin's competences. I think he's telling himself: "Oh boy! Is this going to be a nice class" (full of sarcasm of course) That explains why he says he doesn't want to witness this.  "this" can mean a lot of things: the incompetence of Lupin at teaching, at discipline, with his subject or the incompetence of students with the boggart, at the dark arts, at behaving, at appreciating their teacher or at wand waving.  
See how Snape uses his body to make an impression.  He has the sense of decorum too: he strides out of the room, but then, he turns suddenly with an idea to make his exit even more remarkable!  Makes me think a lot of the Phantom of the Opera.  

Quite "childish" to do that to Neville at first sight, but I think it's rather aim at making sure Neville and Hermione know he is not going to forget what happened in Potions.  It's also another way to humiliate Neville in yet another way.  We see here that all the other teachers seem to be sympathetic to Neville from Snape's comment, so I guess Snape is trying to get at least one teacher on his side about considering Neville a total good-for-no-magic student! I guess Harry didn't catch that fact!
 Poor Snape has not made himself a supporter against Neville!  
 See how  he leaves without further comments. Rowling said he curled his lips.  I think this means Snape is confident that Lupin will be quite deceived in Neville's capacities.  It's like saying: "Well, if you think so, go ahead.  But let me laugh about your lack to forsight!"

"Good," said Professor Lupin. "Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in, Neville."

The wardrobe shook again, though not as much as Neville, who walked forward as though he were heading for the gallows.

"Right, Neville," said Professor Lupin. "First things first: what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?"

Neville's lips moved, but no noise came out.

"didn't catch that, Neville, sorry," said Professor Lupin cheerfully.

Neville looked around rather wildly, as though begging someone to help him, then said, in barely more than a whisper, "Professor Snape." Nearly everyone laughed. Even Neville grinned apologetically. Professor Lupin, however, looked thoughtful.

"Professor Snape... hmmm... Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?"

"Er -- yes," said Neville nervously. "But -- I don't want the boggart to turn into her either."

"No, no, you misunderstand me," said Professor Lupin, now smiling. "I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?"

Neville looked startled, but said, "Well... always the same hat. A tall one with a stuffed vulture on top. And a long dress... green, normally... and sometimes a fox-fur scarf."

"And a handbag?" prompted Professor Lupin.

"A big red one," said Neville.

"Right then," said Professor Lupin. "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"

"Yes," said Neville uncertainty, plainly wondering what was coming next. 

"When the boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees You, it will assume the form of Professor Snape," said Lupin. "And You will raise your wand -- thus -- and cry 'Riddikulus' -- and concentrate hard on your grandmother's clothes. If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced into that vulture-topped hat, and that green dress, with that big red handbag."

There was a great shout of laughter. The wardrobe wobbled more violently.

"If Neville is successful, the boggart is likely to shift his attention to each of us in turn," said Professor Lupin. "I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical...."

[...]

"On the count of three, Neville," said Professor Lupin, who was pointing his own wand at the handle of the wardrobe. "One two -- three -- now!"

A jet of sparks shot from the end of Professor Lupin's wand and hit the doorknob. The wardrobe burst open. Hook-nosed and menacing, Professor Snape stepped out, his eyes flashing at Neville.

Neville backed away, his wand up, mouthing wordlessly. Snape was bearing down upon him, reaching inside his robes.

"R -- r -- riddikulus! "squeaked Neville.

There was a noise like a whip crack. Snape stumbled; he was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and he was swinging a huge crimson handbag. There was a roar of laughter; the boggart paused, confused, and Professor Lupin shouted, "Parvati! Forward!"

My, Lupin really his very pedagogical!

Surprisingly, Neville seems to have caught what the boggart will change into already!  That must be why he's shaking like a leaf!  This is the power Snape has over him because Neville surrenders all of his weak will power to him. That must be another reason why Snape hates him: he can't seem to be strong enough.  So, I reckon that in Snape's mind, if nobody is hard with Neville, he'll be Death Eater food in no time at all!  Also, Snape is a perfectist (just see his class) and very much in control while Neville is the complete opposite of that self-control!  No wonder they can't seem to "respect" each other.  

Oh the wild ideas that must have been going through Lupin's mind at this very second!  A once-in-a-lifetime chance to do a "Riddikulus" to Snape!  Of course, due to Lupin's Gryffindor values, I'm sure he took the lesser shameful option! ; )

(No wonder Snape didn't want to witness this!)

I truly wonder if this scene will be part of the third movie?

For me, just the fact that Snape could have been hiding in a cupboard would have been enough to laugh because it doesn't suit him at all!

Well, that's proof enough that Neville is far from being a squid!  

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"Forward, Neville, and finish him off!" said Lupin as the boggart landed on the floor as a cockroach. Crack! Snape was back. This time Neville charged forward looking determined.

"Riddikulus!" he shouted, and they had a split second's view of Snape in his lacy dress before Neville let out a great "Ha!" of laughter, and the boggart exploded, burst into a thousand tiny wisps of smoke, and was gone.

"Excellent!" cried Professor Lupin as the class broke into applause.

"Excellent Neville. Well done, everyone.... Let me See... five points to Gryffindor for every person to tackle the boggart -- ten for Neville because he did it twice... and five each to Hermione and Harry."

Nothing to say except that seeing Snape in such clothes may be quite a sight!  

Harry only wished he was as happy with some of his other classes. Worst of all was Potions. Snape was in a particularly vindictive mood these days, and no one was in any doubt why. The story of the boggart assuming Snape's shape, and the way that Neville had dressed it in his grandmother's clothes, had traveled through the school like wildfire.

Snape didn't seem to find it funny. His eyes flashed menacingly at the very mention of Professor Lupin's name, and he was bullying Neville worse than ever.

The door opened, and in came Snape. He was carrying a goblet, which was smoking faintly, and stopped at the sight of Harry, his black eyes narrowing.

"Ah, Severus," said Lupin, smiling. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

Snape set down the smoking goblet, his eyes wandering between Harry and Lupin.

"I was just showing Harry my grindylow," said Lupin pleasantly, pointing at the tank.
 

"Fascinating," said Snape, without looking at it. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, Yes, I will," said Lupin.

"I made an entire cauldronful," Snape continued. "If you need more.

"I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus."
 

"Not at all," said Snape, but there was a look in his eye Harry didn't like. He backed out of the room, unsmiling and watchful. Harry looked curiously at the goblet. Lupin smiled.

"Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me," he said. "I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex." He picked up the goblet and sniffed it. "Pity sugar makes it useless," he added, taking a sip and shuddering.

"Why --?" Harry began. Lupin looked at him and answered the unfinished question.

"I've been feeling a bit off-color," he said. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it."

Professor Lupin took another sip and Harry had a crazy urge to knock the goblet out of his hands.

"Professor Snape's very interested in the Dark Arts, he blurted out.

"Really?" said Lupin, looking only mildly interested as he took another gulp of potion.

"Some people reckon --" Harry hesitated, then plunged recklessly on, "some people reckon he'd do anything to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job."

Lupin drained the goblet and pulled a face.

"Disgusting," he said. "Well, Harry, I'd better get back to work. see you at the feast later."

I reckon that Snape did not only narrowed his eyes out of loathing for Harry, but by the fact that he saw the good action he's making for Lupin.  Snape, as we have seen in the books, has never really been the kind to show off, especially when it comes to helping. He prefers to work in the background and let people think he's bad while he's actually helping!  Therefore, I think Snape doesn't want Harry to believe he is "soft" or "gentle" enough to do this for Lupin.  Or on the contrary, he doesn't ant Harry to believe he's up to something again!  Or doesn't want Harry to try to investigate the matter like always!

See how Snape always refers to people he doesn't want associations with according to their family names? That makes a lot of people!  At first, I thought it was a rule of Hogwarts, but seeing how Lupin uses first names all the time, it shows how it's characteristic of Snape and the distance he wishes to put between himself and others.
"Not at all"  Snape doesn't want any thanks.  This refers to Snape's sense of duty, like when he kept protecting Harry in the first book.  He knows it's the right thing to do, even though he may hate it. See how he backs out of the room instead of striding like he usually does?  

Snape' sense of duty and honor. Also, it must be a small bandage on Snape's constant loathing of Lupin because by asking him to do this potion, Lupin recognises his lack of skill AND Snape's competence.  

Well said, Watson!  This confirms what everybody in Hogwarts must think!
What I truly love about Lupin is the way he lets matter drop as an answer! It also means he is pretty sure Snape is not bad at all and that he can trust him completely.  This may have to do with his past.
See how Lupin doesn't support the students' Hogwarts legend that Snape wants the DADA job?  

"No," said Harry. "Lupin made me a cup of tea in his office. And then Snape came in...."

He told them all about the goblet. Ron's mouth fell open.

"Lupin drank it?" he gasped. "Is he mad?"

Hermione checked her watch.

"We'd better go down, you know, the feast'll be starting in five minutes. They hurried through the portrait hole and into the crowd, still discussing Snape.

"But if he -- you know" -- Hermione dropped her voice, glancing nervously around -- "if he was trying to to poison Lupin -- he wouldn't have done it in front of Harry."

"Yeah, maybe," said Harry as they reached the entrance hall and crossed into the Great Hall. It had been decorated with hundreds and hundreds of candle-filled pumpkins, a cloud of fluttering live bats, and many flaming orange streamers, which were swimming lazily across the stormy ceiling like brilliant watersnakes.

The food was delicious; even Hermione and Ron, who were full to bursting with Honeydukes sweets, managed second helpings of everything. Harry kept glancing at the staff table. Professor Lupin looked cheerful and as well as he ever did; he was talking animatedly to tiny little Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher. Harry moved his eyes along the table, to the place where Snape sat. Was he imagining it, or were Snape's eyes flickering toward Lupin more often than was natural?

Dear Hermione!  Very clever of her indeed to think it that!  And not to mention the fact that she respects Snape as a teacher.  

JK Rowling is good at making people believe they know what's going on isn't she? Of course, Snape's just checking to see if the potion is alright!  I wonder if he is doubtful of his competence at making it or at Lupin's drinking it? This is not to prove that Snape is not so great at potion making, just that he is concerned (honor) and a perfectinist.  And perfectionist people always fear that something out of their control will happen. For example, one ingredient was not fresh enough even though it appeared normal, etc.  Real perfectionist take into account all possibilities.  I think this is what Snape's doing by checking on Lupin here!

Dumbledore took one quick look at the ruined painting and turned, his eyes somber, to see Professors McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape hurrying toward him.

"Headmaster?" It was Snape. Harry kept quite still, listening hard. "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"

"All searched."

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" asked Snape.

Harry raised his head very slightly off his arms to free his other ear,

"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."

Harry opened his eyes a fraction and squinted up to where they stood; Dumbledore's back was to him, but he could see Percy's face, rapt with attention, and Snape's profile, which looked angry.

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before -- ah -- the start of term?" said Snape, who was barely opening his lips, as though trying to block Percy out of the conversation.

"I do, Severus," said Dumbledore, and there was something like warning in his voice.

"It seems -- almost impossible -- that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns whet, you appointed --"

"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didn't reply. "I must go down to the dementors," said Dumbledore. I said I would inform them when our search was complete."

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" said Percy.

"Oh yes," said Dumbledore coldly. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster."

Percy looked slightly abashed. Dumbledore left the hall, walking quickly and quietly. Snape stood for a moment, watching the headmaster with an expression of deep resentment on his face; then he too left.

Harry glanced sideways at Ron and Hermione. Both of them had their eyes open too, reflecting the starry ceiling.

 With this conversation, and because Snape is described as angry, we see how much of a Slytherin Snape. I explain the chronology of my thinking: A) Snape's first instinct was to find out if there were any gaps in the security of Hogwarts.  Dumbledore seems to have told him there was no known way Black could get in on his own. B) Then, Snape must have easily associated that (logically at least) Black must have had an helper to escape Azkaban, an helper that could very likely be in Hogwarts.  That was very logical of him to think like that. C) So, of course, he talked to Dumbledore of this possibility, and surely of Lupin being his number 1 suspect!  Of course, Dumbledore refused and still refuses to believe so.  D)  When Black was reported inside the castle, Snape must have been furious!  Furious at Dumbledore for not believing him in the first place. But still, there was maybe a possibility that Black indeed got into the castle himself.  I think Snape gives that much credit to Dumbledore, and that's why Snape will not turn his back on him. However, he must have been furious that nobody listened to him! E) After looking in the whole castle, I'm sure Snape was persuaded that Black had gotten help to enter and escape as well!  I reckon Snape was the more furious at Dumbledore in this scene because he had warned him! Hence, it's Dumbledore's trust in him that's at play here, exactly like with the shrieking shack incident! Dumbledore wouldn't believe Potter and Co did it on purpose to kill. Also, Snape is said to watch the Headmaster with an "expression of deep resentment".  I think Snape is mad at Dumbledore for allowing this happened. Hence, it shows how Snape is concerned about the security of students and Potter!  Surprise!  No, not really.  For Snape, with his experience mostly, he surely feels the need to help and put his knowledge to good usage. Snape, being the good Slytherin he is, automatically associates an impossible entering/exiting of the castle with the fact that Black was helped.  In this sense, Snape is essential to the security of the school I think. He thinks like his ennemies, not like a trustful Gryffindor or an Hufflepuff! Hence, I reckon Snape will put all his attention on finding the culprit from now on in the story, even though the reader will not see it!

"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin. I --"

But it wasn't Professor Lupin who looked up at him from the teacher's desk; it was Snape.

"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down."

But Harry didn't move.

"Where's Professor Lupin?" he said.

"He says he is feeling too ill to teach today," said Snape with a twisted smile. "I believe I told you to sit down?"

But Harry stayed where he was.

"What's wrong with him?"

Snape's black eyes glittered.

"Nothing life-threatening," he said, looking as though he wished it were. "Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty."

Harry walked slowly to his seat and sat down. Snape looked around at the class.

"As I was saying before Potter interrupted, Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far --"

"Please, sir, we've done boggarts, Red Caps, kappas, and grindylows," said Hermione quickly, "and we're just about to start --"

"Be quiet," said Snape coldly. "I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization."

"He's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had," said Dean Thomas boldly, and there was a murmur of agreement from the rest of the class. Snape looked more menacing than ever.

"You are easily satisfied. Lupin is hardly overtaxing you -- I ,would expect first years to be able to deal with Red Caps and grindylows.

Today we shall discuss --"

Harry watched him flick through the textbook, to the very back chapter, which he must know they hadn't covered.

"Werewolves," said Snape.

"But, sir," said Hermione, seemingly unable to restrain herself, "we're not supposed to do werewolves yet, we're due to start hinkypunks --" 

"Miss Granger," said Snape in a voice of deadly calm, "I was under the impression that I am teaching this lesson, not you. And I am telling you all to turn to page 394." He glanced around again. 'All of you! Now!"

With many bitter sidelong looks and some sullen muttering, the class opened their books.

"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" said Snape.

Everyone sat in motionless silence; everyone except Hermione, whose hand, as it so often did, had shot straight into the air.

"Anyone?" Snape said, ignoring Hermione. His twisted smile was back.

"Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between --"

"We told you," said Parvati suddenly, "we haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on --"

"Silence!" snarled Snape. "Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third-year class who wouldn't even recognize a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are...."

"Please, sir," said Hermione, whose hand was still in the air, "the werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf --"

"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger," said Snape coolly. "Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."

Hermione went very red, put down her hand, and stared at the floor with her eyes full of tears. It was a mark of how much the class loathed Snape that they were all glaring at him, because every one of them had called Hermione a know-it-all at least once, and Ron, who told Hermione she was a know-it-all at least twice a week, said loudly, "You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?"

The class knew instantly he'd gone too far. Snape advanced on Ron slowly, and the room held its breath.

"Detention, Weasley," Snape said silkily, his face very close to Ron's.

"And if I ever hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed."

No one made a sound throughout the rest of the lesson. They sat and made notes on werewolves from the textbook, while Snape prowled up and down the rows of desks, examining the work they had been doing with Professor Lupin.

"Very poorly explained... That is incorrect, the kappa is more commonly found in Mongolia.... Professor Lupin gave this eight out of ten? I wouldn't have given it three...."

When the bell rang at last, Snape held them back.

"You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognize and kill werewolves. I want two rolls of parchment or, the subject, and I want them by Monday morning. It is time somebody took this class in hand. Weasley, stay behind, we need to arrange your detention."

Harry and Hermione left the room with the rest of the class, who waited until they were well out of earshot, then burst into a furious tirade about Snape.

"Snape's never been like this with any of our other Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, even if he did want the job," Harry said to Hermione. "Why's he got it in for Lupin? D'you think this is all because of the boggart?"

"I don't know," said Hermione pensively. "But I really hope Professor Lupin gets better soon...."

Ron caught up with them five minutes later, in a towering rage.

"D'you know what that --" (he called Snape something that made Hermione say "Ron!") "-- is making me do? I've got to scrub out the bedpans in the hospital wing. Without magic!" He was breathing deeply, his fists clenched. "Why couldn't Black have hidden in Snape's office, eh? He could have finished him off for us!"

My, the cheek he has!  That's exactly what Snape must be thinking! See how his eyes glitter?  As I said earlier, Snape expresses himself through his eyes!  Here, I think Snape's mind saying something like: "Oh, you asked for it, here's the truth..." But no, Snape will not tell it! I'm pretty sure this glitter was because he wanted to though.
I think it's obvious how sarcastic his remark was.  Especially now, since the Black-got-in-Hogwarts incident. Snape must be on 24h-alarm mode for Lupin. No wonder he wish him "dead" in a sense!
Harry does have some cheek!  He purposely takes all his time to get to his seat although he knows he's interrupting a class!  Hum? Nothing to help their relationship!

Oh, do I like the way he tells Granger to shut up!  I like her, but she really has to work on her know-it-all attitude.  Not that it's bad, just that she interrupts the teacher! His answer also proves my point: Snape hates Lupin not only for being a suspect in helping Black, or a marauder, but also for being offered a job that demands organisation, experience and charisma according to Snape!  Snape, from what I've seen, is after the job because it's the most important one, not because he wants to!  He is the most experienced after all!
This answer to Dean Thomas shows it all: for Snape, being a good teacher is overtaxing his students so that they put effort and quality in their work.  Therefore, he would not consider himself a good teacher were he not pushing them to their limits and asking them perfection.
.

Trick question isn't it?  Actually, if you examine it, it's a double-sided question. There's the question in itself, but I don't think any of the students has caught the hidden meaning of this.  Indeed, Snape could easily have said: "Which of you discovered that Lupin was a werewolf?"

See how much Snape can't suffer her behaviour?  Were it not for that, and maybe the fact that she's Potter's friend, I'm sure Snape would give her a lot of opportunities to answer questions!

Here, I'm very confused! Why are all the students angry at Snape for using a name they are using themselves?  I just don't get it!  Are they concerned that Snape is saying it in public and to everyone?  What I think of Hermione's response confirms what I said above: she wants to prove how good she is to a teacher she respects, and when she fails to, she can't keep her tears off! And why is Weasley saying this if he himself says that? Because Snape used it as an insult and not as a truth?  If someone can light me for this, please do! Ron doesn't understand why Snape said that, that's for sure! Maybe everyone thinks it was bad of him to ask and tell her to shut up, but what I see here is fair because she was not asked to answer for obvious pedagogical reason: a student who gives all the answers is not good in a classroom!
See how Snape's using his cool and silky voice again.  Like a snake!  And then, he tells him never to question his teaching for reasons which are not apparent to the students!  That much is obvious.  What Snape is really concerned about is that students are trying to run his class, that Hermione is trying to show off and save the class from looking into their books for answers, and that they have not caught the slightest hint of Lupin's true nature yet! This is enough to piss him off!  Add the fact that Snape's loathe Lupin's skills as you can see in this passage, and you get a very unnerved Snape!!

Note the underlined text: ''or, the subject''.  Again, Snape is trying to tip them off and will reward those who will find out what is going on by not having to write the two-roll essay!  How more Slytherin can you get?  Why is he doing this?  A lot of reasons: because he believes this class is too relaxed and not exact due to Lupin; because he is almost sure Lupin is somehow related to Black's escape and needs to be punished; because he wants to see who is intelligent enough to discover the truth.

Wow! Good thinking Potter!  

Interesting enough, even after crying in class because of Snape, Hermione still respects him.  Has she gotten the reason why Snape doesn't like her to show-off?  Self-control.  Maybe!

Bookmark 2

It was a relief to return to the noise and bustle of the main school on Monday, where he was forced to think about other things, eve', if he had to endure Draco Malfoys taunting. Malfoy was almost beside himself with glee at Gryffindor's defeat. He had finally taken off his bandages, and celebrated having the full use of both arms again by doing spirited imitations of Harry falling off his broom. Malfoy spent much of their next Potions class doing dementor imitations across the dungeon; Ron finally cracked and flung a large, slippery crocodile heart at Malfoy, which hit him in the face and caused Snape to take fifty points from Gryffindor.

"If Snape's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again, I'm skiving off," said Ron as they headed toward Lupin's classroom after lunch.

"Check who's in there, Hermione."

Hermione peered around the classroom door.

"It's okay!"

Professor Lupin was back at work. It certainly looked as though he had been ill. His old robes were hanging more loosely on him and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes; nevertheless, he smiled at the class as they took their seats, and they burst at once into an explosion of complaints about Snape's behavior while Lupin had been ill.

"It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?"

"We don't know anything about werewolves two rolls of parchment!"

"Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?" Lupin asked, frowning slightly.

The babble broke out again.

"Yes, but he said we were really behind he wouldn't listen --"

"-- two rolls of parchment!"

Professor Lupin smiled at the look of indignation on every face.

"Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay."

"Oh no," said Hermione, looking very disappointed. "I've already finished it!"

This happened to me once!  A work was cancelled, and I was the only one who had already completed it!

At lunchtime they went down to the Great Hall, to find that the House tables had been moved against the walls again, and that a single table, set for twelve, stood in the middle of the room. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick were there, along with Filch, the caretaker, who had taken off his usual brown coat and was wearing a very old and rather moldy- looking tailcoat. There were only three other students, two extremely nervous-looking first years and a sullen-faced Slytherin fifth year.

"Merry Christmas!" said Dumbledore as Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached the table. "As there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the House tables.... Sit down, sit down!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down side by side at the end of the table. 

"Crackers!" said Dumbledore enthusiastically, offering the end of a large silver noisemaker to Snape, who took it reluctantly and tugged. With a bang like a gunshot, the cracker flew apart to reveal a large, pointed witchs hat topped with a stuffed vulture.

Harry, remembering the boggart, caught Ron's eye and they both grinned; Snape's mouth thinned and he pushed the hat toward Dumbledore, who swapped it for his wizard's hat at once.

Funny how all of them are thinking of the same thing!  But, Snape will not show it apart from his lips that's for sure!

And he did indeed draw a chair in midair with his wand, which revolved for a few seconds before falling with a thud between Professors Snape and McGonagall. Professor Trelawney, however, did not sit down;

"If you must know, Minerva, I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him --"

I doubt," said Dumbledore, in a cheerful but slightly raised voice, which put an end to Professor McGonagall and Professor Trelawney's conversation, "that Professor Lupin is in any immediate danger. Severus, you've made the potion for him again?"

"Yes, Headmaster," said Snape.

Observe how Dumbledore addresses him using ''Severus'' and how Snape answers saying ''Headmaster''.  For me, it means that it's now more of a duty of him to do the potion for Lupin than it was the first time we heard about it. That makes sense if Snape has suspicions upon Lupin's involvement with Black.

"How's she doing it?" Ron muttered to Harry one evening as Harry sat finishing a nasty essay on Undetectable Poisons for Snape. Harry looked up.

Harry's jaw dropped. She was holding out his Firebolt, and it looked as magnificent as ever.

"I can have it back?" Harry said weakly. "Seriously?"

"Seriously," said Professor McGonagall, and she was actually smiling. "I daresay you'll need to get the feel of it before Saturday's match, won't you? And Potter -- do try and win, won't you? Or we'll be out of the running for the eighth year. in a row, as Professor Snape was kind enough to remind me only last night...."

 This passage shows us, yet again, the hidden rivalry between Snape and McGonagall, and the pleasure the former seems to take in advantage of his house's success.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SNAPE'S GRUDGE

He broke off with a small gasp, looking over Harry's shoulder. It was Snape. Neville took a quick step behind Harry.

"And what are you two doing here?" said Snape, coming to a halt and looking from one to the other. "An odd place to meet --"

To Harry's immense disquiet, Snape's black eyes flicked to the doorways on either side of them, and then to the one-eyed witch.

"We're not -- meeting here," said Harry. "We just -- met here."

"Indeed?" said Snape. "You have a habit of turning up in unexpected places, Potter, and you are very rarely there for no good reason.... I suggest the pair of you return to Gryffindor Tower, where you belong."

Harry and Neville set off without another word. As they turned the corner, Harry looked back. Snape was running one of his hands over the one-eyed witch's head, examining it closely. The third floor corridor seemed to be deserted. Harry scanned the map carefully and saw, with a leap of relief, that the tiny dot labeled Severus Snape was now back in its office.

He reached the inside of the witch's hump, tapped it with his wand, stuck his head through, and hoisted himself out; the hump closed, and just as Harry jumped out from behind the statue, he heard quick footsteps approaching.

It was Snape. He approached Harry at a swift walk, his black robes swishing, then stopped in front of him.

"So," he said.

There was a look of surpressed triumph about him. Harry tried to look innocent, all too aware of his sweaty face and his muddy hands, which he quickly hid in his pockets.

"Come with me, Potter," said Snape.

Harry followed him downstairs, trying to wipe his hands clean on the inside of his robes without Snape noticing. They walked down the stairs to the dungeons and then into Snape's office. Harry had been in here only once before, and he had been in very serious trouble then too. Snape had aquired a few more slimy horrible things in jars since last time, all standing on shelves behind his desk, glinting in the firelight and adding to the threatening atmosphere.

"Sit," said Snape.

Harry sat. Snape, however, remained, standing.

"Mr. Malfoy has just been to see me with a strange story, Potter," said Snape.

Harry didn't say anything.

"He tells me that he was up by the Shrieking Shack when he ran into Weasley -- apparently alone."

Still, Harry didn't speak.

"Mr. Malfoy states that he was standing talking to Weasley, when a large amount of mud hit him in the back of the head. How do you think that could have happened?"

Harry tried to look mildly surprised.

"I don't know, Professor."

Snape's eyes were boring into Harry's. It was exactly like trying to stare down a hippogriff. Harry tried hard not to blink.

"Mr. Malfoy then saw an extraordinary apparition. Can you imagine what it might have been, Potter?"

"No," said Harry, now trying to sound innocently curious.

"It was your head, Potter. Floating in midair."

There was a long silence.

"Maybe he'd better go to Madam Pomfrey," said Harry. "If he's seeing things like --"

"What would your head have been doing in Hogsmeade, Potter?" said Snape softly. "Your head is not allowed in Hogsmeade. No part of your body has permission to be in Hogsmeade."

"I know that," said Harry, striving to keep his face free of guilt or fear. "It sounds like Malfoy's having hallucin --"

"Malfoy is not having hallucinations," snarled Snape, and he bent down, a hand on each arm of Harry's chair, so that their faces were a foot apart. "If your head was in Hogsmeade, so was the rest of you."

"I've been up in Gryffindor Tower," said Harry. "Like you told --" 

"Can anyone confirm that?"

Harry didn't say anything. Snape's thin mouth curled into a horrible smile.

"So," he said, straightening up again. "Everyone from the Minister of Magic downward has been trying to keep famous Harry Potter safe from Sirius Black. But famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself Let the ordinary people worry about his safety! Famous Harry Potter goes where he wants to, with no thought for the consequences. Harry stayed silent. Snape was trying to provoke him into telling the truth. He wasn't going to do it. Snape had no proof -- yet.

"How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter," Snape said suddenly, his eyes glinting. "He too was exceedingly arrogant. A small amount of talent on the Quidditch field made him think he was a cut above the rest of us too. Strutting around the place with his friends and admirers... The resemblance between you is uncanny."

"My dad didn't strut," said Harry, before he could stop himself. "And neither do I."

"Your father didn't set much store by rules either," Snape went on, pressing his advantage, his thin face full of malice. "Rules were for lesser mortals, not Quidditch Cup-winners. His head was so swollen --"

[space]

"SHUT UP!"

Harry was suddenly on his feet. Rage such as he had not felt since his last night in Privet Drive was coursing through him. He didn't care that Snape's face had gone rigid, the black eyes flashing dangerously.

"What did you say to me, Potter?"

"I told you to shut up about my dad!" Harry yelled. I know the truth, all right? He saved your life! Dumbledore told me! You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for my dad!"

Snape's sallow skin had gone the color of sour milk.

"And did the headmaster tell you the circumstances in which your father saved my life?" he whispered. "Or did he consider the details too unpleasant for precious Potter's delicate ears?"

Harry bit his lip. He didn't know what had happened and didn't want to admit it -- but Snape seemed to have guessed the truth.

"I would hate for you to run away with a false idea of your father, Potter," he said, a terrible grin twisting his face. "Have you been imagining some act of glorious heroism? Then let me correct you -- your saintly father and his friends played a highly amusing joke on me that would have resulted in my death if your father hadn't got cold feet at the last moment. There was nothing brave about what he did. He was saving his own skin as much as mine. Had their joke succeeded, he would have been expelled from Hogwarts."

Snape's uneven, yellowish teeth were bared.

"Turn out your pockets, Potter!" he spat suddenly.

Harry didn't move. There was a pounding in his ears.

"Turn out your pockets, or we go straight to the headmaster! Pull them out, Potter!"

Cold with dread, Harry slowly pulled out the bag of Zonko's tricks and the Marauder's Map. Snape picked up the Zonko's bag.

"Ron gave them to me," said Harry, praying he'd get a chance to tip Ron off before Snape saw him. "He -brought them back from Hogsmeade last time --"

"Indeed? And you've been carrying them around ever since? How very touching... and what is this?"

Snape had picked up the map. Harry tried with all his might to keep his face impassive.

"Spare bit of parchment," he said with a shrug. Snape turned it over, his eyes on Harry.

"Surely you don't need such a very old piece of parchment?" he said.

"Why don't I just -- throw this away?" His hand moved toward the fire.

"No!" Harry said quickly.

"So!" said Snape, his long nostrils quivering. "Is this another treasured gift from Mr. Weasley? Or is it -- something else? A letter, perhaps, written in invisible ink? Or -- instructions to get into Hogsmeade without passing the dementors?"

Harry blinked. Snape's eyes gleamed.

"Let me see, let me see...." he muttered, taking out his wand and smoothing the map out on his desk. "Reveal your secret!" he said, touching the wand to the parchment. Nothing happened. Harry clenched his hands to stop them from shaking.

"Show yourself!" Snape said, tapping the map sharply. It stayed blank. Harry was taking deep, calming breaths.

"Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal!" Snape said, hitting the map with his wand. As though an invisible hand were writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map."Mooney presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."

Snape froze. Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message. But the map didn't stop there. More writing was appearing beneath the first.

"Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugle git." It would have been very funny if the situation hadn't been so serious. And there was more....

"Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor." Harry closed his eyes in horror. When he'd opened them, the map had had its last word.

"Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair , the slimeball."

Harry waited for the blow to fall.

"So..." said Snape softly. "We'll see about this...."

He strode across to his fire, seized a fistful of glittering powder from a jar on the fireplace, and threw it into the flames.

"Lupin!" Snape called into the fire. "I want a word!"

Utterly bewildered, Harry stared at the fire. A large shape had appeared in it, revolving very fast. Seconds later, Professor Lupin was clambering out of the fireplace, brushing ash off his shabby robes.

"You called, Severus?" said Lupin mildly.

"I certainly did," said Snape, his face contorted with fury as he strode back to his desk. "I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this."

Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs were still shining. An odd, closed expression appeared on Lupin's face. [I'm sure Snape, being a Slytherin, has already read Lupin's expression. Snape must know Lupin's indeed hiding something]

"Well?" said Snape.

Lupin continued to stare at the map. Harry had the impression that Lupin was doing some very quick thinking. [I'm also sure Snape is analysing Lupin's "reflection time" for a testimony of guiltiness, a way to save Harry or incompetence. It depends on the theory (see on your right) we choose!]

"Well?" said Snape again. "This parchment is plainly full of Dark Magic. This is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin. Where do you imagine Potter got such a thing?" [See? I was sure Lupin's competence was at stake here somehow, even if it's not the main reason why Snape summoned Lupin in his office] [Snape's being quite direct here. I think he's trying to have Lupin spill some information out in front of Potter. Maybe he's trying to pressure the two of them so that one will break and prove the other is wrong.]

Lupin looked up and, by the merest half-glance in Harry's direction, warned him not to interrupt.

"Full of Dark Magic?" he repeated mildly. "Do you really think so, Severus? It looks to me as though it is merely a piece of parchment that insults anybody who reads it. Childish, but surely not dangerous? I imagine Harry got it from a joke shop --"

"Indeed?" said Snape. His jaw had gone rigid with anger. "You think a joke shop could supply him with such a thing? You don't think it more likely that he got it directly from the manufacturers?"

Harry didn't understand what Snape was talking about. Nor, apparently, did Lupin.

"You mean, by Mr. Wormtail or one of these people?" he said. "Harry, do you know any of these men?"

"No," said Harry quickly.

"You see, Severus?" said Lupin, turning back to Snape. "It looks like a Zonko product to me --"

Right on cue, Ron came bursting into the office. He was completely out of breath, and stopped just short of Snape's desk, clutching the stitch in his chest and trying to speak.

"I -- gave -- Harry -- that -- stuff," he choked. "Bought -- it... in Zonko's... ages -- ago..."

"Well!" said Lupin, clapping his hands together and looking around cheerfully. "That seems to clear that up! Severus, I'll take this back, shall I?" He folded the map and tucked it inside his robes. "Harry, Ron, come with me, I need a word about my vampire essay -- excuse us, Severus --"

Harry didn't dare look at Snape as they left his office. He, Ron, and Lupin walked all the way back into the entrance hall before speaking. Then Harry turned to Lupin.

"Professor, I --"

"I don't want to hear explanations," said Lupin shortly. He glanced around the empty entrance hall and lowered his voice. "I happen to know that this map was confiscated by Mr. Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it' s a map," he said as Harry and Ron looked amazed. "I don't want to know how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I can't let you have it back, Harry."

Harry had expected that, and was too keen for explanations to protest.

"Why did Snape think I'd got it from the manufacturers?"

"Because...," Lupin hesitated, "because these mapmakers would have wanted to lure you out of school. They'd think it extremely entertaining."

"Do you know them?" said Harry, impressed.

"We've met," he said shortly. He was looking at Harry more seriously than ever before.

"Don't expect me to cover up for you again, Harry. I cannot make you take Sirius Black seriously. But I would have thought that what you have heard when the dementors draw near you would have had more of an effect on you. Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them -- gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks."

He walked away, leaving Harry feeling worse by far than he had at any point in Snape's office. Slowly, he and Ron mounted the marble staircase. As Harry passed the one-eyed witch, he remembered the Invisibility Cloak -- it was still down there, but he didn't dare go and get it.

See his look of "surpressed triumph"?  Again, Snape's expressing himself throught his sneer and wicked smiles.  He knew something was up, he investigated without success, but now, thank God for him, Draco has come crying about how he saw Potter's head hanging in thin air!  And then he finds Potter exactly at the same place he left him!! Bingo!  Snape's suspicions were right, as they often are!  

Snape's office again!  First time since second year!  Nice to know he has procured himself with new potions ingredients!

I thought it'd be nice to comment again on the fact that Snape is quite short in his talks.  He commands, therefore, he doesn't babble!  It's all "sit, listen, silence..."  

Here, Snape states the obvious reason why Harry had to stay in.  Snape knows that the boy is in danger, and as much as he dislikes it, it's his duty to see that he is kept safe and sound.
I think Snape has finally got to Harry here because he tries to hide his "guilt or fear". That means Harry is beginning to understand why Snape is so bound on keeping an eye on him.  Not only because of rules, but also for protection.  
Oh, I can't wait to see if they'll put that scene in the movie!  Snape "jailing" Harry to his chair is so Snapish!

Of course, a Slytherin would always think of an alibi.  Not a Gryffindor!  Snape knows that much!

Indeed, with his grin, Snape has guessed from Harry's body language that he doesn't know at all! Snape must really be savouring this moment!
Heroism: Snape knows his Gryffindor very well!  Isn't that why they life for somehow?  See how he uses "saintly"?  I think this is the vision Snape thinks everybody has of the Marauders.  I'm pretty sure it was.  I don't mean that they were bad, but still, I also hate popular people! Everyone faints or excuses them because they're so cute, good and successful!  
Here of course, we discover the version of Snape: James got cold feet and that's the only reason why he saved Snape.  I don't believe that since James is a Gryffindor, but I'm sure that Slytherin thinking is taking over Snape's logical side here.  Had this "joke" been played by Slytherins, they would have been very much aware of the consequences, unlike swollen-head Gryffindors who seem to find everything in life to be a joke or for fun! A Slytherin would indeed have gotten cold feet. But no Gryffindor. A Gryffindor would just have realised how foolish that was all of the sudden.  
Snape's described as having uneven and yellowish teeth. Well, most of us don't like that right?   If that's any confort to any admirer: my friend who washes his teeth all the time keeps having yellow teeth.  His dentist told him some people do have bad teeth that always keeps them yellowish! Also, there's the issue that Snape doesn't take care of himself because he has no one to do it for afterall!  Well, I'm leaving the subject be!
I think Snape doesn't want Harry to have a chance to reply anymore and he wants total control again.  Snape being Snape, he wants to find proofs of what he advanced about Harry being out of bounds!  Poor Harry!  His worst ennemy-teacher tells him horrible things about his father and he has to obey him!
Here, I really don't get it!  Why would Potter be more interested in staying with Snape and not go to Dumbledore?  Because he doesn't want Dumbledore to confirm what Snape just told him?  Or because Harry believes Dumbledore to be so omnipotent that he will know that Harry indeed went outside?  

I love the " How very touching" part! No, really!  Harry won't fool Snape with that!

Master of this school? Well, yes! This shows how Snape takes his position very seriously.  However, and I wouldn't like Snape were he different, he doesn't take it for granted: Snape is good, he is indeed a master!  Ok, I go back to the text!
My question is: with the experience of the diary of Tom Riddle, of which Snape must be fully aware of, it's normal that he thinks this is dark magic.  Why?  Because what the paper says is "true".  True insults of course! These insults, which Snape must be very well acquainted with, are addressed to him.  I'm really wondering if the map is so "legal"!  If it's legal, I reckon the marauders indeed chose special answers for Snape beforehand.  Afterall, that's natural if he was always trying to frame them!  But no at the same time, because it's telling something about being a professor! So, this kind of magic is very weird in its randomness!  Especially the part about "wash his hair"!  Still, I believe the map was also programmed to answer to a teacher. Therefore, if it was programmed for both Snape and a professor, this is what you get!

I'M SORRY FOR THE LONG DELAY! I HAD SO MUCH THINGS TO DO AND THAT WERE ON MY MIND LATELY!  I HOPE THIS SECOND PART WILL BE A BAUM FOR THOSE WHO WAITED FOR IT! I'M PROUD OF WHAT I'VE COME UP WITH REGARDING THIS PART OF THE BOOKS. IT'S BY FAR THE MOST POWERFUL TESTIMONY OF SNAPE'S ANGER AND REASONS WHY HE IS. SO,  HERE IS WHERE THOSE WHO HAD READ THE FIRST PART WERE AT:

For those people always wondering if Snape is connected to the Floo network, here's your answer.  Snape's connected in his office, though nothing can be said about his rooms.

(For this part, I underlined some clues in blue) [More analysis is in brackets since I lacked space on this side] To me, it seems pretty weird that Snape requests Lupin's advice on this. Even Harry looks surprised! After all, Snape was having full control of the situation at hand so why would he voluntarily hand it out to someone he despises!  He knows Lupin will try to "save" Harry or himself. Therefore, it makes me think Snape was highly sure that this was Dark Magic AND/OR written by someone who knew Snape well, like Lupin. There's a lot of theories that come to mind here!  It's a shame Rowling was not more specific with Snape here so I could reject some of them. But here they are anyway since I have to! For all theories, some facts remain for all of them: Snape is convinced that someone (Lupin or the manufacturers) or something (the parchment) "knows" him. Because, the parchment is so accurate in its insults that it looks like Tom Riddle's diary!  And like it was said in the Chamber of Secrets, only Dark Magic can "think" for itself. Therefore Snape's convinced that this parchment is full of dark magic AND/OR was especially designed to mock him if he was to come upon it!  If it's Dark Magic, I'm sure Snape is only trying to protect Harry because who else but Death Eaters or Sirius Black would give him such a gift!  Snape is not stupid enough to think this is but a Zonko product.  He knows Harry has been out this very afternoon, and Snape knows Harry has had to find a way out. Snape must be pretty sure it's a map and that the manufacturers of the map know Snape as well.  So, back to the question at hand, why would Snape request Lupin's "help"?
Theory A) Snape wanted assessment that this was dark magic by the one Dumbledore thinks capable of teaching Defence against the Dark Arts (DADA) so that Dumbledore would not only dismiss Snape's accusing of Potter. Indeed, if Lupin says it's Dark Magic as well, Potter's in trouble.  
Theory B) Or maybe Snape unconsciously wanted Lupin to prove Lupin is not even capable of recognising Dark Magic when he sees it!  That's also a theory that could be added to another one!
Theory C) When Snape asks Lupin where he thinks Potter got the parchment, maybe Snape's trying to find out if Lupin gave it to Potter himself. After all, being the only one in the school allowed to "use" Dark Magic for teaching, Lupin is the only reasonable culprit here, especially since Potter is suppose not to have been outside Hogwarts lately. So Lupin made this map or gave it to him or had someone give it to him. And Snape is already suspicious of Lupin being Sirius Black's ancient friend and present ally in Hogwarts. So, if this theory is true, Snape has called Lupin in a kind of confrontation to try to find as much clues as possible to incriminate him. Why not do it in private?  Maybe because Snape for once wants Potter to realise the gravity of the situation, that he must not trust anyone! But that's unlikely to work!

Here, it's clear as water that Lupin is trying to elude Snape's real intention by asking this question about the manufacturers! Of course Snape's not gullible enough to even think for a second that these men names are not nicknames!  He's not survived being a Death Eater to accept something like that for a proof that Lupin or Harry are not up to something or lying!  

Why did he not said anything then?  I think Snape knows he has lost this battle thanks to Gryffindor camaraderie and Lupin's evasion. This part of the scene must have been very fast so that Snape had no time to react.  The only thing that makes sense here is that Snape automatically dropped the subject since he knew he couldn't win it up front.  He will have to win it as a Slytherin since Harry, Ron and Lupin are against him.  
I'm certain Snape must be thinking something like : "Applaud all you want Lupin! I'll get back to you soon. I don't know if you are protecting Potter out of Gryffindor charity or for your own sake, but I'll know the truth soon enough!"  Why else would Snape let Lupin go away taking the map with him if Snape was not retreating away to plan his attack better?  Like a snake who backs his head to strike with more force!  That's what I think!

 I don't think Harry has understood that Snape is worried that the manufacturers would deliberately want Harry out of Hogwarts because he's owned the map for too long.  Harry doesn't make the connection with Snape's worries for his protection at all. It's a shame really!

The irony here is that Lupin's speech is the exact same as Snape, minus sarcasm, the hurtful remarks and intention, a silky yet loud voice and all that characterised Snape at that moment!  Let's just say Snape's way is not a very popular choice and exerts more refusal than acceptance in the mind of people!  

Bookmark 3

Gryffindor lion upon them, or brandishing banners with slogans like "GO GRYFFINDOR!" and "LIONS FOR THE CUK'   Behind the Slytherin goal posts, however, two hundred people were wearing green; the silver serpent of Slytherin glittered on their flags, and Professor Snape sat in the very front row, wearing green like everyone else, and a very grim smile.

I don't think Snape has any real interest in Quidditch other than winning bids with McGonagall or such!  

They had Potions that afternoon, which was an unqualified disaster. Try as Harry might, he couldn't get his Confusing Concoction to thicken, and Snape, standing watch with an air of vindictive pleasure, scribbled something that looked suspiciously like a zero onto his notes before moving away.

"... if Snape sees me anywhere near there again, I'm in serious trouble," he finished. 

"That's true," said Hermione, getting to her feet. "If he sees you.... How do you open the witch's hump again?"

Now, why would Hermione think Snape will not be suspicious of her or Ron too?  That is underestimating our dear Snape!

"Ages," Hermione whispered. "Since I did Professor Snape's essay..."

"He'll be delighted," said Lupin coolly. "He assigned that essay hoping someone would realize what my symptoms meant.... Did you check the lunar chart and realize that I was always ill at the full moon? Or did you realize that the boggart changed into the moon when it saw me?"

"Both," Hermione said quietly.

Lupin forced a laugh.

"You're the cleverest witch of your age I've ever met, Hermione."

"I'm not," Hermione whispered. "If I'd been a bit cleverer, I'd have told everyone what you are!"

"But they already know," said Lupin. "At least, the staff do."

"Dumbledore hired you when he knew you were a werewolf. Ron gasped. "Is he mad?"

"Some of the staff thought so," said Lupin. "He had to work very hard to convince certain teachers that I'm trustworthy --"

As Lupin will say later on, Snape was one of them. Not because he suspected him of being an ally of Sirius Black since it was out of question at the time, but because I believe Snape suffered a lot from the Marauders at school.  Snape seems to have found the Marauders a bunch of excited, not-study-interested and proud boys.  Therefore, with all the trouble Snape must have gone through to become a Potions Master, he would likely be against such an unserious candidate. Personally, I think the way one behaved at school is very important if he is to become a teacher.  Unfortunately, most teacher-to-be are bad students!  What a shame! I hate them for that! That's why I believe Snape must hate the very idea of allowing Lupin to teach, not to mention that he is teaching the most important course of Hogwarts!  I think Lupin was more the kind of student to concentrate on his study however since he must have lived alone pretty much all of his life.  But still, he must (like Hermione) have played bad pranks that was interpreted by Snape as foolishness!

Added part since first post

 "All right... but you'll need to help me, Sirius," said Lupin, I only know how it began..."

Lupin broke off. There had been a loud creak behind him. The bedroom door had opened of its own accord. All five of them stared at it. Then Lupin strode toward it and looked out into the landing.

"No one there..."

"This place is haunted!" said Ron.

"It's not," said Lupin, still looking at the door in a puzzled way. "The Shrieking Shack was never haunted.... The screams and howls the villagers used to hear were made by me."

This part has been added following an e-mail I got from a reader. I was wondering before if Snape had really heard it all what Lupin said, well, this proves it! He was there from the start!  I don't think Rowling would have stated that unless she wanted to leave clues to her readers about Snape's presence or someone else's presence anyway!

I was a very small boy when I received the bite. My parents tried everything, but in those days there was no cure. The potion that Professor Snape has been making for me is a very recent discovery. It makes me safe, you see. As long as I take it in the week, preceding the full moon, I keep my mind when I transform.... I'm able to curl up in my office, a harmless wolf, and wait for the moon to wane again.

Lupin's face had hardened, and there was self-disgust in his voice. "All this year, I have been battling with myself, wondering whether I should tell Dumbledore that Sirius was an Animagus. But I didn't do it. Why? Because I was too cowardly. It would have meant admitting that I'd betrayed his trust while I was at school, admitting that I'd led others along with me... and Dumbledore's trust has meant everything to me. He let me into Hogwarts as a boy, and he gave me a job when I have been shunned all my adult life, unable to find paid work because of what I am. And so I convinced myself that Sirius was getting into the school using dark arts he learned from Voldemort, that being an Animagus had nothing to do with it... so, in a way, Snape's been right about me all along."

"Snape?" said Black harshly, taking his eyes off Scabbers; for the first time in minutes and looking up at Lupin. "What's Snape got to do with it?"

"He's here, Sirius," said Lupin heavily. "He's teaching here as well." He looked up at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Professor Snape was at school with us. He fought very hard against my appointment to the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. He has been telling Dumbledore all year that I am not to be trusted. He has his reasons... you see, Sirius here played a trick on him which nearly killed him, a trick which involved me --"

Black made a derisive noise.

"It served him right," he sneered. "Sneaking around, trying to find out what we were up to... hoping he could get us expelled...."

"Severus was very interested in where I went every month." Lupin told Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "We were in the same year, you know, and we -- er -- didn't like each other very much. He especially disliked James. Jealous, I think, of James's talent on the Quidditch field... anyway Snape had seen me crossing the grounds with Madam Pomfrey one evening as she led me toward the Whomping Willow to transform. Sirius thought it would be -- er -- amusing, to tell Snape all he had to do was prod the knot on the tree trunk with a long stick, and he'd be able to get in after me. Well, of course, Snape tried it -- if he'd got as far as this house, he'd have met a fully grown werewolf -- but your father, who'd heard what Sirius had done, went after Snape and pulled him back, at great risk to his life... Snape glimpsed me, though, at the end of the tunnel. He was forbidden by Dumbledore to tell anybody, but from that time on he knew what I was...."

"So that's why Snape doesn't like you," said Harry slowly, "because he thought you were in on the joke?"

"That's right," sneered a cold voice from the wall behind Lupin.

Severus Snape was pulling off the Invisibility Cloak, his wand pointing, directly at Lupin.

I'm still not convinced Snape doesn't trust the Marauders only because of that prank!  Why would he have been following them around before that moment if that was the only reason?  I think too much people are oblivious to that fact! I'm sure the reason why Snape followed them around was because Snape's sense of justice was not satisfied with the punishments they got away with!  
You see from Black's "derisive noise" that he still thinks Snape deserved it!  Boy, that's harsh!  That's why, like many fanfiction author, I believe Black to be childish!  He's the nemesis of Snape.  So, if Black is still satisfied with him and not repentant, well... I guess Snape is not as wrong to try to frame them as seems to be!
Here, we indeed learn that Snape was sneaking around them to find out what they were up to. For me, it's justice, not merely like Draco who tries to put the Harry gang into trouble.
--This part is very important towards understanding Snape's relation to the Marauders. That's pretty self-explanatory too!  --
Snape was in the same year!
See how Lupin doesn't exactly say they hated each other?  I wonder if it's real or not?  If they didn't like each other or hate each other?
Here's where all Snape being in love with Lilly must come from! Lupin says he thinks he was jealous, but he's not sure again!  That gives away some clues if Snape was indeed in love with Lilly!  
One very important fact here: Snape went there to find out what was happening. So, he must not have thought he was in true danger. Therefore, even though they didn't like each other, Snape at least trusted them as not to play a probably fatal prank on him!  That's a start!  
Here is something Snape must never have forgiven Dumbledore, maybe he even turned a Death Eater partly for that reason: Dumbledore did nothing. I'm sure Snape doesn't care about Lupin being a werewolf, but he surely does about Dumbledore not punishing (at least) Black for playing this "amusing" prank on him!  Think about it : someone tries to kill you and nobody arrests the culprit!  How do you feel: like shit! Like you don't deserve to be defended!  We don't know if Snape ever tried something as dangerous as this, but judging from the fact that he actually listened to Sirius about the know on the tree and went there, Snape must not have done something so terrible to them so that he had to fear for his life!

Shame he doesn't ask if Snape dislike them for another reason!  We would have known for sure!

I love that entrée!  So Snapish!

I'm truly wondering why Lupin? Why not Black?  I think because Lupin might turn into a werewolf anytime now so that Snape can immobilise him before he does!

CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE SERVANT OF LORD VOLDEMORT

Hermione screamed. Black leapt to his feet. Harry felt as though he'd received a huge electric shock.

"I found this at the base of the Whomping Willow," said Snape, throwing the cloak aside, careful to keep this wand pointing directly at Lupin's chest. "Very useful, Potter, I thank you...."

Snape was slightly breathless, but his face was full of suppressed triumph. "You're wondering, perhaps, how I knew you were here?" he said, his eyes glittering. "I've just been to your office, Lupin. You forgot to take your potion tonight, so I took a gobletful along.

[voluntary spacing of same paragraph]
And very lucky I did... lucky for me, I mean. Lying on your desk was a certain map. One glance at it told me all I needed to know. I saw you running along this passageway and out of sight."

"Severus --" Lupin began, but Snape overrode him.

"I've told the headmaster again and again that you're helping your old friend Black into the castle, Lupin, and here's the proof. Not even I dreamed you would have the nerve to use this old place as your hideout --"

"Severus, you're making a mistake," said Lupin urgently. "You haven't heard everything -- I can explain -- Sirius is not here to kill Harry --"

"Two more for Azkaban tonight," said Snape, his eyes now gleaming fanatically. "I shall be interested to see how Dumbledore takes this....

[voluntary spacing of same paragraph]

He was quite convinced you were harmless, you know, Lupin... a tame werewolf --"

"You fool," said Lupin softly. "Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?"

BANG! Thin, snakelike cords burst from the end of Snape's wand and twisted themselves around Lupin's mouth, wrists, and ankles; he overbalanced and fell to the floor, unable to move. With a roar of rage, Black started toward Snape, but Snape pointed his wand straight between Black's eyes.

"Give me a reason," he whispered. "Give me a reason to do it, and I swear I will."

Black stopped dead. It would have been impossible to say which face showed more hatred.

Harry stood there, paralyzed, not knowing what to do or whom to believe. He glanced around at Ron and Hermione. Ron looked just as confused as he did, still fighting to keep hold on the struggling Scabbers. Hermione, however, took an uncertain step toward Snape and said, in a very breathless voice, "Professor Snape -- it it wouldn't hurt to hear what they've got to say, w -- would it?"

"Miss Granger, you are already facing suspension from this school," Snape spat. "You, Potter, and Weasley are out-of-bounds, in the company of a convicted murderer and a werewolf. For once in your life, hold your tongue."

"But if -- if there was a mistake --"

"KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Snape shouted, looking suddenly quite deranged. "DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" A few sparks shot out of the end of his wand, which was still pointed at Black's face. Hermione fell silent.

"Vengeance is very sweet," Snape breathed at Black. "How I hoped I would be the one to catch you...."

"The joke's on you again, Severus," Black snarled. "As long as this boy brings his rat up to the castle" -- he jerked his head at Ron -- "I'll come quietly...."

"Up to the castle?" said Snape silkily. "I don't think we need to go that far. All I have to do is call the dementors once we get out of the Willow. They'll be very pleased to see you, Black... pleased enough to give you a little kiss, I daresay... I --"

What little color there was in Blacks face left it.

"You -you've got to hear me out," he croaked. "The rat -- look at the rat --"

But there was a mad glint in Snape's eyes that Harry had never seen before. He seemed beyond reason.

"Come on, all of you," he said. He clicked his fingers, and the ends of the cords that bound Lupin flew to his hands. "I'll drag the werewolf.

Perhaps the dementors will have a kiss for him too --" Before he knew what he was doing, Harry had crossed the room in three strides and blocked the door.

"Get out of the way, Potter, you're in enough trouble already," snarled Snape. "If I hadn't been here to save your skin --"

"Professor Lupin could have killed me about a hundred times this year," Harry said. "I've been alone with him loads of times, having defense lessons against the dementors. If he was helping Black, why didn't he just finish me off then?"

"Don't ask me to fathom the way a werewolf's mind works," hissed Snape. "Get out of the way, Potter."

"YOURE PATHETIC!" Harry yelled. "JUST BECAUSE THEY MADE A FOOL OF YOU AT SCHOOL YOU WON'T EVEN LISTEN --"

"SILENCE! I WILL NOT BE SPOKEN TO LIKE THAT!" Snape shrieked, looking madder than ever. "Like father, like son, Potter! I have just saved your neck; you should be thanking me on bended knee! You would have been well served if he'd killed you! You'd have died like your father, too arrogant to believe you might be mistaken in Black -- now get out of the way, or I will make you. GET OUT OF THE WAY, POTTER!"

Harry made up his mind in a split second. Before Snape could take even one step toward him, he had raised his wand.

"Expelliarmus!" he yelled -- except that his wasn't the only voice that shouted. There was a blast that made the door rattle on its hinges; Snape was lifted off his feet and slammed into the wall, then slid down it to the floor, a trickle of blood oozing from under his hair. He had been knocked out.

Harry looked around. Both Ron and Hermione had tried to disarm Snape at exactly the same moment. Snape's wand soared in a high arc and landed on the bed next to Crookshanks.

"You shouldn't have done that," said Black, looking at Harry.

"You should have left him to me...."

Harry avoided Black's eyes. He wasn't sure, even now, that he'd done the right thing.

"We attacked a teacher... We attacked a teacher..." Hermione whimpered, staring at the lifeless Snape with frightened eyes. "Oh, we're going to be in so much trouble --"

[Note: there's too much stock to analyze here, so I'll put voluntary spaces in the original text!]

The "not even I" confirms Snape's granted skills for intrigue and spying because if Snape didn't think of it before, it means he thought Lupin wiser than using such an evident hideout!  Somehow it shows how Snape always thinks extremely well, as a spy, but for spys and Slytherins as well.  His only mistake was to think Lupin would not think like a Gryffindor and be stupid enough to hide here!

Here, I don't think Snape really meant that as something he was disgusted of or afraid of.  It's a title that means so much more to Snape, that recalls that night where the victim had to keep silent! It's also merely an insult that puts salt on an open wound.  

Interesting fact: did you heard any spell being said here?  Why? Rowling is certainly found of them isn't she? If that was intentional, which I doubt it wasn't, I think this is one of the best example of speechless magic ever! With a wand certainly, but still speechless!  Therefore, I do hope our dear Rowling is indeed showing us one striking example of a wizard mind's power! Maybe the spell was uttered in no more than a whisper, but still, judging by the fact that it was in reaction to Lupin's last comment, it's hard to believe it was not instantaneous!
Hence, if you associate the force with which the spell bound Lupin to the ground with Snape's mental state at what Lupin just uttered, you'll easily understand how much Snape was hurt by this dramatic night when he was still studying at Hogwarts. For Snape, it's an insult to call it a mear "schoolboy grudge". He's been deeply hurt by this indifference everyone seemed to put on the situation's gravity. On him therefore!  For me, Snape's quick spell that bound Lupin to silence was like saying : "Shut up you fool! You don't know anything about me! You don't know anything of what it made me suffer! Because of your friend's foolishness! I was no fool, I was right! He tried to kill me and I'm the fool?"

It's unclear if Snape's referring to what Lupin just said (whether a schoolboy grudge is worth putting an innocent man in Azkaban? Which from Snape's point of view rather means "whether the incident of the shrieking shack is worth putting a man in Azkaban? The answer's yes for Snape of course) or if Snape is referring to a reason to do a curse or spell or the exact same thing to Black!  Both theories are interesting!  The fact that Snape is whispering while saying so gives a hint that he is doing some thinking at the same time. He looks hurt, loathing.

Hermione, at this point, is somewhat aware that Snape is in quite a foul temper. A hellish one actually. We've never seen her falter in her talking like she is right now.

Snape surely knows how to frighten her!  Also, we see how much he hates her never being able to hold her tongue. That's a sure reference to classroom. Still, he's trying to protect them.

You don't tell a mad Snape he may be committing a mistake! That's almost suicidal!  It made his mind snap! However, it hit home!  Because he suddenly looks "deranged".  Why would Hermione's comment disturb him so much?  Because someone is once again doubting that he's right?  Because he doesn't want to know that she may be right?  Or like Snape will tell the Minister later on, that he just understood that the teens were under the spell of the Confundus charm! The fact that sparks shot out of his wand shows his internal state right now no matter what he is thinking: he's mad.  Don't forget that Snape doesn't loose his temper so easily!  I think he could also have said : "Why does everybody doubt the evident? Why can't they understand me? They must have used a Confundus charm on the kids!" It's as if the memory all of this goes back to is too strong emotionally speaking for Snape to understand or control himself.
 

It's strange how Snape calls to Vengeance as if it was an entity, the only one able to provide him rest and peace.  From the words, I conclude that vengeance is for him something fate gave him.  He's not trying to avenge himself, it's vengeance that came to him because he caught Black. As if someone else catching Black would not have been revenge.  I see vengeance as a coming back, as Snape's justice.   Also, the sweet implies a lot for Snape. It will be sweet to see Dumbledore's reaction because he didn't trust him or his warnings. It will be sweet to see Potter who didn't obey orders and was rescued by Snape. It will be sweet for Snape to know that everyone trusting the Marauders back in school will now realise they might have misjudged them. For him, vengeance is sweet because he is the one who is going to prove he was right. Not another one. "They will finally understand what I've been telling them for years!"

This comment is very revealing of how much Snape must have been humiliated because of the Marauders.  The joke's on you again!
Black seems to think Snape deserved it, but he surely never seemed to understand the gravity of it all!

The fact that he doesn't want to give Black the opportunity to get to Dumbledore shows exactly what Snape intends to do. He wants to take control.  You can feel the shift in Snape.  Almost like a Death Eater if not completely.  I think this is the strongest assessment up to now as to why Snape may have become a Death Eater.  Power to prove his worth, his theories, his intelligence, his reasons: that he was right! His silky voice tells you a lot about his state of mind: a snake, ready to strike, poised to wait no longer after a long wait!  You can feel the sly hate radiating from the simple fact that Snape won't give Black a single chance to prove himself innocent, twice when Snape is concerned. Because Snape obviously takes it personally!  He has a mad glint in his eyes, totally focused, far from reason. Black has reasons to be drained of his colours!  For those of you who have read the Phantom of the Opera or seeing Rurouni Kenshin when they are ready to kill, you'll understand what I mean. Snape will not do the deed himself, he's too clever and Slytherin to get his hands dirty.  But even so, it seems as though Snape is ready to do so by feeding Black to the dementors without hearing the whole story.  From an ethical point of view, that would be like committing a crime, but knowing the Wizard World just wants to kill Black when they find him, it's not. In fact, I'm sure he doesn't want to be fooled again, not a second time.  Black must not escape his fate this time. This is strange because Snape who respects Dumbledore is ready to take the risk of having Black killed right away before Dumbledore can stop it.
Also, if you think about it, Snape's transformation to Death Eater mode can easily be explained by the fact that he thinks he is indeed facing another one of them! One he was maybe unable to catch, because you have to remember Snape had turned a spy already before the Potters were killed!  Rowling is highly capable of making us think Snape's only after Black for his famous "school grudge" that she's leading us to forget that Snape may have had a role in protecting the Potters or at least get information about it as a spy! Death Eaters have a sly and untruthful way of talking, Snape knows as much. They'll do anything not to face death (Wormtail is the best example of that as of yet!). Therefore, I understand that Snape doesn't want to hear a single word out of it!  Black's a Death Eater for him!  Why should he show any restraint?  Snape knows far better than anyone alive how Death Eaters are!  They'd even "hire" the words of  innocents and confound them to pledge for them! And isn't it what Snape thinks Lupin and Black have done to Harry, Ron and Hermione?  He says so later one: they used a Confundus charm on the teens!  That explains why Snape was so unwilling to hear anything from them at all and why he didn't want to listen to Harry's very logical testimony!! Snape didn't want to loose to a confounded child!

Here, it seems Snape is putting his plan to execution.

It's the first time Snape directly tells Potter he was the one to save his skin.  The other times, Snape referred to everyone, not just himself.  Maybe this is due to Snape' state of mind. He's on selfish Death Eater mode.

Here, Harry makes a very logical comment. Yet, Snape gives a very sophistic and illogical one!  He's beyond reason that's for sure.  He has lost control here.  I'm sure Snape knows a lot about werewolf, he's the kind of man that knows everything about his ennemies.  So here you see that a Snape without reason is very dangerous.

Again, think of Snape in this situation: everyone, even the new generation, thinks this was just a game, a game where Snape was the fool! But when you think about it, it was not a game.  Sure the story couldn't go public because of Lupin's secret, but why was nothing solved internally?  
The irony Snape is referring to with "like father, like son" is true!  It's again the first time Snape asks for recognition from Potter.  However, you see that Snape's rage mode has fogged his logic and judgment. By merely saying Potter should bend on his knee, it somehow feels like Lucius and Voldemort speaking, doesn't it?  The similarity is too striking to overlook! What follows is quite sarcastic in itself too!  Of course, Snape can't see Potter's reaction as not being arrogance or cheek. Harry has just denied recognition of Snape's sufferings because of the Marauders!  From other scenes in the book, I reckon that Snape's definition of arrogance is someone who speaks without knowing. Which here is quite ironic in itself because Snape is not listening at all!

Poor Snape is going to have a nice headache when he wakes up!

Cute reaction!

Bookmark 4

"Then I should've let Snape take you!" Harry shouted.

"Harry," said Lupin hurriedly, "don't you see? All this time we've thought Sirius betrayed your parents, and Peter tracked him down -- but it was the other way around, don't you see? Peter betrayed your mother and father -- Sirius tracked Peter down --"

"What about Professor Snape?" said Hermione in a small voice, looking down at Snape's prone figure.

"There's nothing seriously wrong with him," said Lupin, bending over Snape and checking his pulse. "You were just a little -- overenthusiastic. Still out cold. Er -- perhaps it will be best if we don't revive him until we're safety back in the castle. We can take him like this...."

He muttered, "Mobilicorpus." As though invisible strings were tied to Snape's wrists, neck, and knees, he was pulled into a standing position, head still lolling unpleasantly, like a grotesque puppet. He hung a few inches above the ground, his limp feet dangling. Lupin picked up the Invisibility Cloak and tucked it safely into his pocket.

"And two of us should be chained to this," said Black, nudging Pettigrew with his toe. "Just to make sure."

It's about time someone checked on him!  He was said to be loosing blood earlier when he was hit!
That's a wize idea NOT to revive him indeed!

Poor Severus! If he knew he had been in such a position!

Again, why didn't they petrified the stupid rat!!  It was below Rowling's cunning writing skills really!  Maybe she had a bad day when she thought of this! Sorry, I had to let it out!

Harry had never been part of a stranger group. Crookshanks led the way down the stairs; Lupin, Pettigrew, and Ron went next, looking like entrants in a six-legged race. Next came Professor Snape, drifting creepily along, his toes hitting each stair as they descended, held up by his own wand, which was being pointed at him by Sirius. Harry and Hermione brought up the rear.

Getting back into the tunnel was difficult. Lupin, Pettigrew, and Ron had to turn sideways to manage it; Lupin still had Pettigrew covered with his wand. Harry could see them edging awkwardly along the tunnel in single file. Crookshanks was still in the lead. Harry went right after Black, who was still making Snape drift along ahead of them; he kept bumping his lolling head on the low ceiling. Harry had the impression Black was making no effort to prevent this.

Shocking business... shocking... miracle none of them died... never heard the like... by thunder, it was lucky you were there, Snape...."

"Thank you, Minister."

"Order of Merlin, Second Class, I'd say. First Class, if I can wangle it!"
 

"Thank you very much indeed, Minister."

"Nasty cut you've got there.... Black's work, I suppose?"

"As a matter of fact, it was Potter, Weasley, and Granger, Minister...."

"No!"

"Black had bewitched them, I saw it immediately. A Confundus Charm, to judge by their behavior. They seemed to think there was a possibility he was innocent. They weren't responsible for their actions. On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Black to escape.... They obviously thought they were going to catch Black single-handed. They've got away with a great deal before now... I'm afraid it's given them a rather high opinion of themselves... and of course Potter has always been allowed an extraordinary amount of license by the headmaster --"

"Ah, well, Snape... Harry Potter, you know... we've all got a bit of a blind spot where he's concerned."

"And yet -- is it good for him to be given so much special treatment? Personally, I try and treat him like any other student. And any other student would be suspended -- at the very least -- for leading his friends into such danger. Consider, Minister -- against all school rules -- after all the precautions put in place for his protection -- out-of-bounds, at night, consorting with a werewolf and a murderer -- and I have reason to believe he has been visiting Hogsmeade illegally too --"

"Well, well... we shall see, Snape, we shall see.... The boy has undoubtedly been foolish...."

Harry lay listening with his eyes tight shut. He felt very groggy. The words he was hearing seemed to be traveling very slowly from his ears to his brain, so that it was difficult to understand.... His limbs felt like lead; his eyelids too heavy to lift.... He wanted to lie here, on this comfortable bed, forever....

"What amazes me most is the behavior of the dementors... you've really no idea what made them retreat, Snape?"

"No, Minister... by the time I had come 'round they were heading back to their positions at the entrances...."

"Extraordinary. And yet Black, and Harry, and the girl --"

"All unconscious by the time I reached them. I bound and gagged Black, naturally, conjured stretchers, and brought them all straight back to the castle."

See how Snape isn't trying to alter the truth?  And he won't which is another proof of his loyalty to me! He's even telling people the wizard teens are innocent and not to be framed for their actions!  That's a compliment to them isn't it?  Snape is actually saying that he trusted them to be under a charm because, had they not be, he was sure they would not have said the things they did!  Hence, Snape trusts their reason and judgment! Another proof that Snape's not only trying to frame them for no reason.  He knows things!
Here, we see exactly how Snape sees the Harry-club. He even tells us why he thinks so: because they've been allowed too much liberty and that has given them the conviction they can solve things by themselves!  That's true! Why else, in the Chamber of Secrets, would Harry and Ron have not gone to a teacher with the guilty Lockhart? They always think they can solve things by themselves! Of course, it's all part of dear Rowling's scheme and heroic plans, but still, they are that!
The Minister has just lost Snape's confidence here, hasn't he?

The Minister is more than obviously trying to close the subject!  He shall see! "Right!" Snape must be thinking!  "As if you were ever able to think once in your life!"

If you had asked a Malfoy, I'm sure the story would have been different since he would have been pretty sure no one was there to witness it! However, once again, Snape sticks to the facts and what truly happened!  He doesn't even try to explain it because he has no idea! Like a Sherlock Holmes who will not reveal any clues before the story unfolds!

"YOU HAVEN'T!" Harry yelled. "YOUVE GOT THE WRONG MAN!"

"Minister, listen, please," Hermione said; she had hurried to Harry's side and was gazing imploringly into Fudge's face. "I saw him too. It was Ron's rat, he's an Animagus, Pettigrew, I mean, and --"

"You see, Minister?" said Snape. "Confunded, both of them.... Black's done a very good job on them...." "WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" Harry roared.

Snape actually admits Black has done something right in his life! Wow! Even Snape must have doubted a little before saying so! Maybe that's why he hesitated before saying it!

"My apologies, Poppy, but I need a word with Mr. Potter and Miss Granger," said Dumbledore calmly. "I have just been talking to Sirius Black --"

"I suppose he's told you the same fairy tale he's planted in Potter's mind?" spat Snape. "Something about a rat, and Pettigrew being alive --"

"That, indeed, is Black's story," said Dumbledore, surveying Snape closely through his half-moon spectacles.

"And does my evidence count for nothing?" snarled Snape. "Peter Pettigrew was not in the Shrieking Shack, nor did I see any sign of him on the grounds."

"That was because you were knocked out, Professor!" said Hermione earnestly. "You didn't arrive in time to hear

"Miss Granger, HOLD YOUR TONGUE!"

"Now, Snape," said Fudge, startled, "the young lady is disturbed in her mind, we must make allowances --"

Now we all know how a Confundus charm works!

Bookmark 5

"This cannot wait," said Dumbledore. "I must insist."

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips and strode away into her office at the end of the ward, slamming the door behind her. Fudge consulted the large gold pocket watch dangling from his waistcoat.

"The dementors should have arrived by now," he said. "I'll go and meet them. Dumbledore, I'll see you upstairs."

He crossed to the door and held it open for Snape, but Snape hadn't moved.

"You surely don't believe a word of Black's story?" Snape whispered, his eyes fixed on Dumbledore's face.

"I wish to speak to Harry and Hermione alone," Dumbledore repeated.

Snape took a step toward Dumbledore.

"Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder at the age of sixteen," he breathed. "You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster? You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?"

"My memory is as good as it ever was, Severus," said Dumbledore quietly.

Snape turned on his heel and marched through the door Fudge was still holding. It closed behind them, and Dumbledore turned to Harry and Hermione. They both burst into speech at the same time.

Dumbledore's way of saying: "Yes, Severus. I'm seriously thinking of doing just that!"

Snape must now be quite physically close to Dumbledore by now.
Black was sixteen then. If you count that students, like Harry, get to Hogwarts by eleven, then it means it happened during their 6th year.  This is important because it leaves at least a full year for Snape to live with these people or more if it occurred at the beginning of their 6th year of schooling. What happened then?  Was it then that Snape turned to the dark side? Was it because of that in part? Did he become so suspicious of Dumbledore that, when Death Eaters talked badly about him, Snape was entranced? Only the 5th, 6th and 7th books will reveal what really happened after that. But for me, one thing's for sure: it affected Snape profoundly!
This is exactly and purely how Snape sees it: attempted murder on his person! An attempt that went unpunished or rather, unrecognised!
"You haven't forgotten": this is so important for Snape that someone besides him remembers the truth, the murder of his 16-year old self.  Because, somehow, that's exactly what happened that day: someone tried to murder him, and it worked in a way.  It worked because you see how Snape is deeply hurt and map about it. For me, he was indeed murdered that day. His worth was murdered because it equalled that his life was worth that of a cattle being brought up for a savage beast's meal! A cattle, food.  Think about it for a minute!
Notice the "Headmaster". It's like Snape is once again looking up to the Headmaster, not the friend, as he was when he was sixteen himself! There's an insistence on this title because of the situation. Snape expects him to act like a Headmaster, by the rules. But once again, it's Dumbledore that will act.
Dumbledore has obviously taken in the "Headmaster" Snape just called him by using Severus. Dumbledore just answered him: he remembers, but he hasn't changed his mind about the events nor his choices.

Snape knew better than to argue to that. He knows Dumbledore has "betrayed" him once more.  He betrayed Snape's need to know that his life was worth more than that. That it was not only a foolish prank played by a foolish boy.
Snape is so consequent in his actions, responsible. No wonder why he wants others to be judged as such, even if Black was young and foolish. Snape, in his mind, finds no excuse there. I often think that Snape's rigidity comes from his childhood. His parents or the fact that he never fitted with the other students. Whatever, it made him sour and exigent. He is very demanding and I'm sure as hell he was demanding with himself more than anyone else. Like a House-elf that punishes itself for misbehaving, Snape must think he has to be punished too if he does something bad. Reason why Snape tries to be perfect and not make any mistakes!  That would also explain why he hates the liberties given to Harry. He needs rules like air it seems. He needs people to be as responsible for their actions as he is. That's his sense of justice I guess.  Hence, when Dumbledore judged Black's attempted murder as the result of unconscious-of-the consequences teenage thinking, Snape didn't take it. For him, there's surely no such thing as unconscious thinking or actions. Someone wanted him dead, period! All is about responsibility. And Black was not given any consequences that day. Not even guilt. Which, from the point of view of a very self-demanding teenager like Snape, is nothing more than laxness! And Dumbledore is about to allow himself some more laxness on Snape's back!  Snape's sense of justice is once again, betrayed!

"Listen to me, Harry. It is too late, you understand me? You must see that Professor Snape's version of events is far more convincing than yours."

"He hates Sirius," Hermione said desperately. "All because of some stupid trick Sirius played on him --"

"Sirius has not acted like an innocent man. The attack on the Fat Lady -- entering Gryffindor Tower with a knife -- without Pettigrew, alive or dead, we have no chance of overturning Sirius's sentence."

Barely two minutes later, the castle doors flew open yet again, and Snape came charging out of them, running toward the Willow. Harry's fists clenched as they watched Snape skid to a halt next to the tree, looking around. He grabbed the cloak and held it up.

"Get your filthy hands off it," Harry snarled under his breath. "Shh!" Snape seized the branch Lupin had used to freeze the tree, prodded the knot, and vanished from view as he put on the cloak.

"I don't know -- Harry, look at Snape!"

Together they peered around the bush at the other bank. Snape had regained consciousness. He was conjuring stretchers and lifting the limp forms of Harry, Hermione, and Black onto them. A fourth stretcher, no doubt bearing Ron, was already floating at his side. Then, wand held out in front of him, he moved them away toward the castle.

They slipped through the doorway behind them and down a tightly spiraling stone staircase. As they reached the bottom of it, they heard voices. They flattened themselves against the wall and listened. It sounded like Fudge and Snape. They were walking quickly along the corridor at the foot of the staircase.

"... only hope Dumbledore's not going to make difficulties," Snape was saying. "The Kiss will be performed immediately?"

"As soon as Macnair returns with the dementors. This whole Black affair has been highly embarrassing. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to informing the Daily Prophet that we've got him at last.... I daresay they'll want to interview you, Snape... and once young Harry's back in his right mind, I expect he'll want to tell the Prophet exactly how you saved him...."

Harry clenched his teeth. He caught a glimpse of Snape's smirk as he and Fudge passed Harry and Hermione's hiding place. Their footsteps died away. Harry and Hermione waited a few moments to make sure they'd really gone, then started to run in the opposite direction. Down one staircase, then another, along a new ,corridor -- then they heard a cackling ahead.

There, you have it: Snape didn't want to bring Black to the castle because he was sure Dumbledore was going to believe the story or doubts of the students!

Fudge is all about glory!

She was in a very bad mood. Harry and Hermione thought it best to accept their chocolate quietly. Madam Pomfrey stood over them, making sure they ate it. But Harry could hardly swallow. He and Hermione were waiting, listening, their nerves jangling.... And then, as they both took a fourth piece of chocolate from Madam Pomfrey, they heard a distant roar of fury echoing from somewhere above them....

"What was that?" said Madam Pomfrey in alarm.

Now they could hear angry voices, growing louder and louder. Madam Pomfrey was staring at the door.

"Really -- they'll wake everybody up! What do they think they're doing?"

Harry was trying to hear what the voices were saying. They were drawing nearer --

"He must have Disapparated, Severus. We should have left somebody in the room with him. When this gets out --"

"HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE!" Snape roared, now very close at hand. "YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE! THIS -- HAS -- SOMETHING -- TO -- DO -- WITH -- POTTER!"

"Severus -- be reasonable -- Harry has been locked up --"

BAM.

The door of the hospital wing burst open. Fudge, Snape, and Dumbledore came striding into the ward. Dumbledore alone looked calm. Indeed, he looked as though he was quite enjoying himself. Fudge appeared angry. But Snape was beside himself.

"OUT WITH IT, POTTER!" he bellowed. "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Professor Snape!" shrieked Madam Pomfrey. "Control yourself!"

"See here, Snape, be reasonable," said Fudge. "This door's been locked, we just saw --"

"THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT!" Snape howled, pointing at Harry and Hermione. His face was twisted; spit was flying from his mouth.

"Calm down, man!" Fudge barked. "You're talking nonsense!"

"YOU DON'T KNOW POTTER!" shrieked Snape. "HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT --"

"That will do, Severus," said Dumbledore quietly. "Think about what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, have these students left their beds?"

"Of course not!" said Madam Pomfrey, bristling. "I would have heard them!"

"Well, there you have it, Severus," said Dumbledore calmly. "Unless you are suggesting that Harry and Hermione are able to be in two places at once, I'm afraid I don't see any point in troubling them further."

Snape stood there, seething, staring from Fudge, who looked thoroughly shocked at his behavior, to Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling behind his glasses. Snape whirled about, robes swishing behind him, and stormed out of the ward.

"Fellow seems quite unbalanced," said Fudge, staring after him. "I'd watch out for him if I were you, Dumbledore."

"Oh, he's not unbalanced," said Dumbledore quietly. "He's just suffered a severe disappointment."

Unfortunately, it's quite unclear here who is speaking! I doubt it's Fudge because he still calls him Snape (see below in blue). So, it leaves Dumbledore. However, it's pretty foolish of him to say this because he knows more than anyone else you can't apparate in Hogwarts!! By saying this, I think Dumbledore was trying to fool Fudge (who is stupid) and Snape (who was out of reason at the moment). But not so out of reason it seemed!  Also, he was trying to change the subject to "When this gets out..." so as to put the attention on the repercussion on Fudge's authority rather than on the way he escaped! Therefore, if it was Dumbledore speaking, he also assessed that he wanted Severus to forget that this had anything to do with Potter. However, Snape, not being a fool, knows that if Dumbledore is trying to explain the disappearance of Black in a way Snape knows is impossible, it means that he is trying to protect Potter. Bad move for Dumbledore, but at the same time, he knows Severus won't be able to prove it! So, Dumbledore also wants Snape to guess the truth!
See how Snape is clearly spelling out each word?  It looks as if he wants to make it clear that there's no other way around this!

Dumbledore is giving out his clues himself! But Snape isn't taking the bait!

Guess who did htat? The man who's beside himself!

If people tell you Snape is incapable of directness, there's the perfect opportunity to make a bet and win some money out of it!

Spit? Rather venom! Snape's just like an angry snake right now! Striking everything that moves. He knew he should have stayed behind when Dumbledore wanted to "talk alone" with Harry and Hermione!  He must be so mad for not following his instincts! But he thought he was better off watching Black or Dumbledore directly I guess.
Here we go: Fudge has just entered Snape's list of "were I still a Death Eater, I'd kill the following people:"  
Snape could also have said something like: "You and your infatuation of the Boy-who-lived! Don't you see he's behind it! It was impossible for Black to escape without help!"
Gee! Dumbledore surely seems accustomed to dealing with a mad Snape! It's strange he even gives him the clues to the mystery!  Snape knows Pomfrey has been asked to get out of the infirmary!  Snape will realise it soon, but not soon enough it seems!
Why does Dumbledore give such an important key to solving the mystery at hand? Because he knows Snape's not aware of the time-turner, unless he would pick it up right away!  
Snape's reaction is to be expected. He doesn't know how to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Maybe he's thinking of a time-turner, but it's too irrational an idea for him surely! And then, he saw Fudge's terrified look: he knew he couldn't count on this gullible man's support anymore. Then, he looked at Dumbledore with his twinkling eyes!  Snape must have realised all of this was indeed not Potter's plan, but Dumbledore's!  There was something there that made Snape understand that he had lost the battle.
Oh! If Snape were to hear of this!  

A disappointment indeed!  Dumbledore is the only to know what is really going on with Severus. He's disappointed that his only "friend" or person he respects has betrayed him once more, for the same person!  I'm sure Snape couldn't care less for the Order of Merlin right now.  This will come later.  The real drama being played here is Snape disappointment in what he consider fair.  It's not fair that his words are worth less than Potter's or Black's!  Not fair for Dumbledore, for whom he has given and devoted his life and time to do this yet a second time!

"Blimey, haven' yeh heard?" said Hagrid, his smile fading a little. He lowered his voice, even though there was nobody in sight. "Er -- Snape told all the Slytherins this mornin'.... Thought everyone'd know by now... Professor Lupin's a werewolf, see. An' he was loose on the grounds las' night.... He's packin' now, o' course.

"No. Professor Dumbledore managed to convince Fudge that I was trying to save your lives." He sighed. "That was the final straw for Severus. I think the loss of the Order of Merlin hit him hard. So he -- er -- accidentally let slip that I am a werewolf this morning at breakfast." 

"You're not leaving just because of that!" said Harry.

The exam results came out on the last day of term. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had passed every subject. Harry was amazed that he had got through Potions. He had a shrewd suspicion that Dumbledore might have stepped in to stop Snape failing him on purpose. Snape's behavior toward Harry over the past week had been quite alarming. Harry wouldn't have thought it possible that Snape's dislike for him could increase, but it certainly had. A muscle twitched unpleasantly at the corner of Snape's thin mouth every time he looked at Harry, and he was constantly flexing his fingers, as though itching to place them around Harry's throat.

I bet Black and Lupin will also represent this for Snape from now on.