[HPforGrownups] Harry v. Malfoy/James v.Snape

[Edblanning at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 35712

Charis Julia comments on my querying whether there is something behind (as in 
a backstory) the Snape James hatred


> As you say the hatred between Harry and Malfoy has * always* been 
> there. When Harry first meets Draco at Madame Malkins his dislike of 
> him is almost instant and mounting every second. Harry starts by 
> likening him to Dudley and finishes by hurrying off in relief to be 
> rid of his company. What we've got here is a head—on clash of 
> character, but nothing truly personal. Harry just doesn't like Malfoy 
> and Malfoy, though initially actually rather keen to make friends 
> with Harry (I can help you get in with the right sort, blah, blah, 
> blah. . .), quickly discovers he doesn't like Harry either. And 
> that's all there is to it really. They're just not each other's * 
> type*, pure and simple. It's not personal. There's no harrowing 
> vendetta behind it. They hate what the other stands for, more than 
> the other as an individual. The sniping comments and dueling 
> challenges and train romping all come after that. They're the natural 
> follow—ups, the results of an instinctive aversion. And so it is with 
> James and Snape as well. Snape hated James because James was the 
> strutting Quidditch Cup Winner, not because of anything specific that 
> James did to him. 
> 
> 
> So up till this point I'm nodding along merrily with you. But then 
> you go and confuse me. You say you'd like to know what there was at 
> the beginning of their animosity. Err, but haven't you just stated 
> that there was * nothing*? You liken the supposed Potter/Snape family 
> hatred to the Weasley/ Malfoy one. Ahh, you see this is where we 
> disagree. Because the way I see it indeed there need not be anything 
> behind James v. Severus. But Sirius v. Severus? That's a whole 
> different kettle of fish. 

Fair comments all, but I suppose I'm not suggesting *exact* parallels in the 
relationships of the respective trios ( Snape/ James/Sirius; 
Draco/Harry/Ron). I think that would be a little unsubtle. What I'm 
suggesting more is that in each case, two of the three are closely identified 
with each other, so that for instance,Harry is identified with that mud-blood 
loving clan, the Weasleys and James is associated with that dreadful 
prankster, Sirius. Each one gets tainted by all the perceived imperfections 
of the other. ( and yes, there's Hermione and Lupin, I'm just keeping things 
simple)

Now yes, Harry immediately and instincively takes against Draco, recognising 
him for the nasty, stuck up predjudiced little...well, to use canon...git 
that he is. But Draco doesn't immediately take against *him* does he? Not 
until Harry makes it clear that he values Ron's ..er..values above his and 
Draco realises *who he is*. So there are, IMO, two backstories to the 
Harry/Draco animosity: the fact that he has made clear his loyalty to a 
family Draco has been taught to despise and the fact that he is the one 
responsible for the Dark Lord's downfall. I don't think Draco can be totally 
unaware of his father's support for Voldemort, even at this stage of the 
game, can he?
(Actually, I would be rather interested to know how much people think that 
Draco *does* know.)

However, the impression I get is that other people think that there *does* 
have to be more than the Quidditch-Champion-Strut behind Snape's animosity to 
James and by extension to Harry...... Enter Lily. I just feel that Lily 
enters a little late to be a prime cause. I honestly think that Snape has 
*plenty* of reason to hate Harry and that his hatred of James is a 
significant part of it. I was just speculating that there could be a reason 
why this animosity arose in the first place, other than instinctive dislike.

Eloise


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