Small point: Whitehound points out that, on the Hogwarts Express, Severus did NOT call Petunia "just a Muggle." "She's only a --" He caught himself quickly; Lily, too busy trying to wipe her eyes without being noticed, did not hear him.
Whitehound points out, he might have been meaning to end the sentence, "only a Muggle," but he might have been meaning to end it, "only a jealous cow"--and in any event, realizing that whatever he was saying would hurt or offend Lily, he cut himself off.
He was still insensitive, but he was trying not to be offensive.
And really, you'd think he'd have more empathy for Lily's position of still caring for someone who just criticizes and insults her....
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-06-13 03:54 pm (UTC)"She's only a --" He caught himself quickly; Lily, too busy trying to wipe her eyes without being noticed, did not hear him.
Whitehound points out, he might have been meaning to end the sentence, "only a Muggle," but he might have been meaning to end it, "only a jealous cow"--and in any event, realizing that whatever he was saying would hurt or offend Lily, he cut himself off.
He was still insensitive, but he was trying not to be offensive.
And really, you'd think he'd have more empathy for Lily's position of still caring for someone who just criticizes and insults her....
Those sisters are so much alike!