TBAY: Exorcizing the Prank

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 38806

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "finwitch" <finwitch at y...> wrote:
<snipping enhancements to the misunderstanding theory>

> I'm not giving up the idea of the misunderstanding. It *does* put
all 
> of them in as positive light as possible, explains Snapes comments 
> about James Potter getting away with breaking rules (being out of 
> bounds that night); Big hatred between Sirius and Snape... As while 
> Sirius isn't all that angry about unfair things done to himself, 
> (like the lack of trial! He didn't seem to mind all that much to me 
> when he told about it) but someone who dares to harm his *friends* 
> makes him *extremely* angry, like PP actually harming James and 
> presumably harming Harry; Or, to his mind - Severus Snape presumably 
> having harmed Remus... Why Sirius feels no guilt on *that* but does 
> about the switch--

> Would do as a compromise for Sirists and Snapists...
misunderstanding 
> that wasn't a fault of either one.

As a fan of both Snape and Sirius, I'm sorely tempted by any theory
that manages to put them both in such a harmless light.  But -- and
George is going to throw a fit at me for saying this -- it's just not
Bangy enough.  I mean, the Prank is a big, big event in the
backstory!  Canonically, it's the cause of Snape's life-debt to
James.  Theoretically, it may be at least a partial cause of Snape's
joining the DEs, and of his refusal to listen to reason in the
Shrieking Shack in PoA (thus preventing Sirius from clearing his
name).  We're talking about an event whose consequences are still
resonating nearly two decades later -- and you're suggesting it was
all just an innocent misunderstanding where no one meant any harm? 
Where's the drama in that?

Oh, come one, George, don't look at me like that!  Don't give me those
big eyes and that pouty lower lip.  I know I promised to stand
shoulder to shoulder with you in the battle against Bangy theories. 
But the Prank is a canonical Bang, not an invented one, so we're stuck
with it.  It's not my fault.  Take it up with JKR.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com