Snape's pale face, illuminated by the flaming cabin, was suffused with hatred just as it had been before he had cursed Dumbledore.
"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented- I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so... no!"
Harry had dived for his wand; Snape shot a hex at it and it flew feet away into the darkness and out of sight.
"Kill me then," panted Harry, who felt no fear at all, but only rage and contempt. "Kill me like you killed him, you coward-"
"DON'T-" screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them- "CALL ME COWARD!"
This is from The Half-Blood Prince, after Snape killed Dumbledore and Harry chased after him.
It almost makes me cry when his face is described as being screwed up with hatred, because we know he hated Dumbledore for making him kill him, and so that leaves us to ask- Was it the same kind of hate? Was it even towards Harry? I bet it was still hatred for Dumbledore for making him do what he did, which he knew had turned everyone against him.
Then, when he yells at him for trying to use his own spells and admits to being the Half-Blood Prince, I can't help but wonder if he thought after knowing he was the Half-Blood Prince, then he might rethink his hatred for Snape. Otherwise, I want to cry for how mad he is. This is a pivotal point in the book, and the film adaptation completely ruined it! By just watching the film, you can't feel how angry he's supposed to be! And he's supposed to yell all this, not silently curse Harry, walk up to him, and be all, "Yes, I'm the Half-Blood Prince."
His face was demented, inhuman. Because of Snape, whenever I hear the word "coward", I stiffen a little. For him, being called a coward makes him so angry he loses all control, and he could have killed Harry in his rage. He's anything but a coward; He's the Bravest Man I Ever Knew. But seriously, he's fighting against every fiber in him... Harry has no idea of the choices that Snape faces. Only true bravery can allow a person to do that and not collapse under the pressure. And yes, I stole that from a Ministry of Magic song.
