Hummmm... I actually can picture Severus Snape throwing away his chance at happiness out of fear by acting precisely like this. Sometimes the 'probability' of happiness is just not enough to entice someone who has been badly wounded before into risking away the relative safety of... solitude. At least Harry managed to keep a hold on his temper long enough to actually stay and get his chance. Let's see what he does with it... :)

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review. Your lovely comment was greatly appreciated, my friend. :)