An alternative reading

[B Arrowsmith]

No: HPFGUIDX 78157

Over the past few weeks I've attempted to shuffle the HP accepted canon 
around a bit to see if it can be fitted together differently to the 
standard pattern. In two instances I've switched the viewpoint, 
reversing the conclusions that are usually drawn. If correct, these 
alterations could also, in a sort of cascade effect, alter perceptions 
on two further episodes in the time line.

I know I'm going to cop a lot of flak for this, but who cares? The only 
people who are never wrong are  those that don't do anything.

Right; the first review (literally) was the Lily-Snape AGGIE (77800), 
reversing the opinion that Snape had a thing for Lily. It is just as 
possible, with more circumstantial evidence, that Lily had a thing for 
Snape and was rejected. James was as jealous as hell  about this, but 
the rejection meant that he caught Lily on the rebound. But his hatred 
of Snape remained.

Second; a TBAY (78104) which postulates that James did not save Snapes 
life at the Shrieking Shack  out of altruistic motives. Sirius had 
lured Snape into the tunnel. Maybe he thought he was doing James a 
favour. Get rid of any competition for Lily. They knew that Snape was 
well versed in curses when he arrived at Hogwarts (this is canon) and 
had presumably learned more since. It is possible that James thought 
that Snape could deal with a werewolf, even kill it. James got Snape 
out to save Lupin from Snape's curses. James and Sirius were on a 
hiding to nothing. If Snape was killed, no matter how personally 
satisfying that would be, James and Sirius would be blamed; if Snape 
killed Lupin, when he was in wolf form, Snape would be treated as a 
hero and they would have lost a friend through their own stupidity. 
Only option, get Snape out of there and as a bonus claim that he was 
saving Snapes life. Sirius would have to take his chances for goading 
Snape into the tunnel. They got away with it. James gets the kudos and 
Sirius doesn't seem to be punished for his actions.

First repercussion: James started having doubts about Sirius. Not about 
his friendship; about his judgement. He showed a tendency to rashness, 
downright dangerous at times, to not thinking things through. Could he 
be trusted with anything critical? These doubts might start to show, so 
that even Sirius was aware of them, making him uncomfortable. Hence the 
decision to change Secret Keeper with all the fallout from that 
brilliant idea. Sirius strikes again in the planning department.

Second repercussion: Lupin does some thinking. Sirius put me at risk - 
maybe. Sirius was certainly responsible for Snape finding out that I am 
a werewolf. Snape is responsible for me losing my job at Hogwarts, for 
telling the pupils parents, for me being unemployable. Ultimately, it's 
all Sirius' fault, yet he's the one getting all the sympathy. This 
pisses me off. What shall I do about it? Well, the opportunity arises 
during the fight at the MoM. Lupins actions (or inaction) have caused 
comment on the site before. Perhaps he took the revenge option - zap! 
and Sirius falls through the curtain.

Maybe that particular finale was planned, most likely not. But a free 
shot at Sirius could have had great appeal for some-one feeling hard 
done by. Could even give one thoughts of betrayal?

Kneasy