Snape's kind of like the immortal children in "Twilight"; he never emotionally matured past a certain age. :o) And I think the house-elves are a little insane by definition, like hyenas or something. This one is bitter, more so than, say, Dobby, and resentful. I don't know if he has any redeeming features yet. :o)

I guess the Dursleys were physically abusive at that, but this story won't be detailing the thrice-daily beatings he suffers in much of fanon. He was emotionally abused and neglected, however, but Snape thinks that if he feeds him enough (he doesn't know about the extra missed meals) and gives him a bed, that's enough. We'll try to make him see that Harry needs more. Thanks for reviewing!