[HPforGrownups] Re: So, why did Snape turn on Voldermort?

[Rochelle]

No: HPFGUIDX 39921

darrin_burnett wrote:
>
> DB: I've read the first few chapters of your story, and I think the
> introduction of a specific religion -- and how Wizards who were
> Muggles deal with that phenomena -- is fascinating and well-done

Thank you. :)

> but
> I have to say I dislike the introduction of homosexuality into the
> fray.
> Sexuality -- bisexuality, heterosexuality, or homosexuality -- has
> been very lightly touched in the world of HP. The kids are third-
> years before we even get a hint of raging hormones and fourth-years
> before we get the kind of chaste bickering that comes with early
> sexuality.
> Not to delve too deeply into forbidden topics like the movies, but
> this straying from reality in JKR's world is the main reason young
> Daniel Radcliffe probably will not be able to do all seven movies.
> Young boys change mostly between 11 and 12 in the real world, and
> having seen the 30-second teaser for the film CoS, it is obviously
> happening to Radcliffe.
> Harry Potter, on the other hand, is nearly 14 before we get a sense
> of him hitting puberty.
> To me, that's just one more of the rules JKR has introduced. She's
> taken us back to a time when the equivalent of American fifth- and
> sixth-graders were not exploring their sexuality.
> I rarely read fanfiction of any pop culture phenomena, and seeing
> such deviations from the established world always startles me.

I am really confused by all of this.  I don't understand how two boys
becoming fond of each other (especially when both are mature for their
ages) is a deviation from anything since it HAS been known to happen
IRL.  For one thing, what I've written isn't set in stone.  It's just
one possibility out of many.  For another... couldn't the fact that JKR
hasn't talked about sexuality in any real detail have more to do with
her publishers and her personal goals than any actual "rules" for the
world she's created?  I mean, how friendly do you think Scholastic would
be towards the idea of "children's" books detailing homosexual
relationships?  And as riled up as some people get over how the Harry
Potter series will supposedly lead children into Satan worship, trying
anything that really IS controversial in this series would pretty much
be an invitation for death threats.

Maybe I'm just the odd exception (but I seriously doubt I am), but my
very first kiss was given to me in kindergarten, and I first realized I
was attracted to... well... anyone at around age six. (There even was a
woman I wanted to marry, but that's another story.) Also, judging from
the way my little friends talked about boys when I was in FIRST GRADE,
crushes can and often do start well before puberty.  I also remember
how, when I was twelve, people had already started talking about
boyfriends and girlfriends.

I'm thinking of how the REAL world works, here, and all fan fiction is
based on some form of personal extrapolation.  Just because the author
hasn't written about it in detail doesn't mean it can't exist.

Also, as glad as I am that you enjoy the religious angle, JKR hasn't
dealt with that in any more detail than she has with sexuality.  Going
by what you said about the topic of sexuality, discussion of religion in
HP fan fics would be just as "invalid" as Snape kissing Remus (and
that's all they do in my fic) when they're twelve.

<Re. the ever-popular "Snape loved Lily" theory, which I stated I'm not
especially fond of>
> 
> On the other hand, Snape's hatred has to come from somewhere, and
> unrequited love is as good a reason as any. All cliches start with
> truth.

But it's still just theory, isn't it (just like practically everything
else), and not necessarily based on actual canon.  What bothers me is
how I've so often seen this idea treated as if it IS canon.

<Re. the possibility that the Marauders picked on Snape>
>
> From Snape's point of view, I'm sure he was persecuted unjustly. But
> I doubt seriously if three of the most popular characters in the
> series, James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, are going to be
> found to be tyrannical bullies.

Who said anything about tyranny?  I think they were just typical
obnoxious teenage boys (and most teenage boys ARE inherently obnoxious
;)), and that Snape was one of those kids who more "normal" people tend
to make fun of.  Right or wrong, that's just what happens.  If that
turns out to be the case, I think it would be a good opportunity for JKR
to show that even good people sometimes make bad choices, and that the
way a child/teen is treated can affect him for the rest of his life. 
Being an object or ridicule during one's adolescnece can very well
result in his or her becoming bitter, spiteful and suspicious
indefinitely.  For some people, the scars just don't heal.

> Darrin Burnett
> -- Or perhaps Snape and Aunt Petunia were lovers once...

Okay, now that's just frightening.

*Rochelle. ;)
-- 
http://www.YaoiGoddess.com/ --Long Live the Slash.
http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=26023 --My fics on FFN.
http://www.YaoiGoddess.com/light/ --Dying of the Light: A history of
Severus Snape, Dark Arts prodigy turned Death Eater.
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