Lily's magical abilities?

[ariadnemajic]

No: HPFGUIDX 75256

I posted this in response to another e-mail, but decided to post it 
again b/c it seems significant.  In the thread on "JKR's greatest 
interview," JKR mentions that we will find out a very significant 
thing about Lily in two parts: in Book 5 and in Book 7.

So, I started re-reading the pensieve scene in Snape's Worst Memory, 
and noticed a little detail that I missed before.  Here's the snippet:

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lilly shouted.  She had her own wand out now. 
James and Sirius eyed it warily.

"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," said James earnestly.

Take the curse off him then!" 

James sighed deeply, then turned to Snape and muttered the 
countercurse.


Isn't that interesting, the way it's phrased?  James is threatening 
to hex Lily, more or less, (maybe in jest), and it's like Lily 
doesn't hear it, or knows he can't/won't do it, or whatever.  That 
got me thinking, not only does Lily stand up to James and Sirius, 
something Lupin won't even do, but James and Sirius "eyed her wand 
warily." They aren't looking at Snape warily even though he came to 
school knowing more curses than a 6th or 7th year!

So, what's the deal?  Is Lily very powerful when it comes to her 
magical ability? Is her ability in charms greater than curses and 
hexes?  Wondering, wondering...Ariadne