Thought about Snape and James Potter's relationship

[sherlock_2040]

No: HPFGUIDX 38347

Re: Marina's reply

> I believe it's in the very first book, actually.

Probably was, sorry. 

> I wouldn't go that far -- I think Dumbledore was equating 
situations, rather than individuals 

Ah... That sounds more possible... 

>-- but I agree that James and Sirius were probably not entirely 
blameless in their conflict with Snape.  I don't think they were 
awful people or anything; I believe they were both decent kids.  

I believe that they were decent kids, and I agree that they can't 
have been awful people. I think J.K Rowling said in an 
interview/chat/thing that James Potter inherited a lot of money, and 
if he came from a maybe a rich family of pure bloods who had all been 
Gryffindor's he could have perhaps grown up with the idea that 
Slytherin's are bad and not really have helped in his judgement of 
Snape. Black maybe had a similar background, but not as rich. Snape 
strikes me as someone who probably came from a rich-ish background, 
but who's parents didn't know what to do with him - maybe a drunkard 
father/mother or something and Snape's knowledge of dark curse stems 
from him (protection from his drunken father/mother) or to impress 
them and make them take some notice of him. Snape was probably a 
decent kid in his own right.

>And I have no doubt that adolescent Snape was a thoroughly 
unpleasant git. But we know Sirius has his share of character flaws, 
and it stands to reason that James did, too.  

Agreed.

>And I don't know, maybe it's my own adolescent traumas coming 
through, but to me, the small amount we've been told about the Snape-
Marauders  conflict looks an awful lot like a couple of popular jocks 
picking on the geeky loser.  

Stikes me that way to. If Snape struggled with Transfiguration (a 
subject the Marauders found simple), then that would probably cause a 
lot of friction. Do you think it was mainly Sirius Black who led the 
jives at Snape, and James sort of joined in since his friend was 
doing it? Remus seems to be the sort of person who would semi-join 
in, and then apologise to the 'victim' once the others were out of 
earshot. Could it be Lily was kind to Snape? (Offered to help him 
with his Transfiguration and tried to stick up for him?) 

> Do you have any examples of that?  I don't have the books with me
here, either, and I can't recall any instances when Harry deliberately
provoked Draco at a time when Draco was just leaving well enough
alone.

Not really, it's been a while since I've actually read the books 
(currently reading the third one to my brother again), but I could be 
confusing some fanfiction events. I think it was more an impression I 
got, than actual events. I'll have to think, and flick through the 
books. Sorry if I've mistaken or confused anything, tends to happen.


Steph 
(who is feeling thoughtful [about how other peoples actions can have 
disasterous effects on other people] and a bit down since the baby 
died in Wycliffe :()