Cannon!Snape has loved Lily since the two of them were children—considerably longer than 11 years. I don’t think it’s unrealistic at all.
I don’t think it’s particularly unrealistic coming from some unspecified hypothetical character who’s just heard the love they’ve been harboring for more than half their life insulted, but I would find it pretty weird if Snape said that to Harry in that situation, and he wasn’t exaggerating. Anyone who’d commit murder in that situation would either have to be profoundly lacking in restraint, or possessed by a really maniacal level of infatuation.
I suspect Snape was engaging in hyperbole, because if he wasn’t my judgment of his character is completely out of whack.
I don’t think it’s particularly unrealistic coming from some unspecified hypothetical character who’s just heard the love they’ve been harboring for more than half their life insulted, but I would find it pretty weird if Snape said that to Harry in that situation, and he wasn’t exaggerating. Anyone who’d commit murder in that situation would either have to be profoundly lacking in restraint, or possessed by a really maniacal level of infatuation.
I suspect Snape was engaging in hyperbole, because if he wasn’t my judgment of his character is completely out of whack.