Snape Overreacting

[Weasleyfanforever]

Originally Posted by Prisoner of Azkaban: Ch. 14 - Snape's Grudge

"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."

This quote is from PoA in Snape's office after he pretty much catches Harry coming back from Hogsmeade.

Why would Snape be so worked up? Harry only went to Hogsmeade, which, as Ron pointed out, was patrolled by the Dementors every night; and it was broad daylight and there were plenty of people around!

Was Snape just really mad because he thought Harry didn't care what other people think and just does what he likes, or did he really think Harry could have been in danger in Hogsmeade??

[Nagini]

It seems to me that Snape was using this as a means to provoke a reaction out of Harry. The continual references to "The Famous Harry Potter" would hint that he is goading Harry to make an outburst that included an admittance to being in Hogsmeade. I take from the way it was worded that Snape seemed to think that too many important figures such as Dumbledore and Fudge were wasting their time on a troublemaking youngster who he dislikes mainly because of his father.

[Kingsley]

I dont think Snape was overreacting to much actually, he did have a genuine hatred for Sirius at the time, and for everyone to be trying to protect Harry just for him to ignore it, did make Harry seem ungrateful and did not care about the consequences of his actions

Also detention with Snape would of course be safer it would seem-- with Sirius on the loose

In my opinon, Snape just may be acting like this, since it's Potter. His grudge against Potter is evident, and he always overreacts. As much as I'd like to say it's out of general concern, I'm persuaded to believe Snape would just rather get a confession out of Harry. He's had a bit of a problem pretending that he's desperately trying to get Harry expelled

[Tinkerbell]

Snape does seem to like to take every opportunity of either showing Harry up in front of other students, or trying to pin something on him, so I think that he was just seizing the opportunity to have a go. I also think that Snape sees a lot of James in Harry and this aggravates the situation, particularly when Harry bends the rules to the point of snapping, and seemingly gets away with it!

[Alz]

Well I can see you are all looking at it on face value, so I will go with another route ...

Sarcasm has many uses in life but one of the many ways is that of concealment of feelings ...
While I can see the face value of this as well, I can also see a subtle undertone ...
On face value Snape despises Harry because he is so like his father, the same father that tormented Snape while at school ... while Harry appears benign in his action whereas his Dad was more malicious, Snape can't see past this and makes Harry's life a misery to salve the injured pride and sores of the past damage inflicted by James ...

Looking at it deeper and as always looking at the controversial, isn't it possible that Snape is using this sarcasm to conceal his uneasiness' that Harry keeps placing himself in danger?
If, and I say this is a big if, If Snape is looking out for Harry - he may feel very angry and worried that Harry went wondering off and could have fallen pray to Black or indeed the Death Eater movement ... his comments look to put Harry down but it is said in a fashion that makes Snape be sarcastic but underneath he is relieved Harry is OK ...
As I said, I don't expect people to agree here and also expect the usual closed mind answers but the world is a lot smaller to the closed mind ...

[leggy]

here's what i think..Snape does care about Harry and being sarcastic is his way of hiding the fact that he cares about him..of course sometimes he does give Harry a hard time*like purposedly trying to fail Harry in Potions* but you just cant deny the fact that James Potter did things to him that even Harry isnt proud of..so Snape cares about Harry and yet,he hates him for looking so much like his father.