Why did Lily marry James ? / Snapes other worst memory

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 66634

davydarmstrong wrote:
 
> > Because she drank the love potion ...

And Darrin replied:

> You know what Muggles call "a Love Potion"? A "date rape drug."
> -- Isn't it just a teensy-weensy bit possible that James grew up?

My turn:

I don't think either of these scenarios make sense.  

For the first, I agree with Darrin.  A love potion is a very creepy
idea.  I don't see a relationship based on something like that
continuing happily, and the scant evidence we've been given thus far
(photographs and recollections) shows that James and Lily were happy
together.

I also don't see the "James grew up" scenario as plausible.  Yes, it
is very possible that James did mature, lose his arrogance, and become
a very likeable guy in the span of two years.  But as of the end of
their fifth year, Lily despised James.  She copnsidered him on the
same level as Mudblood-slinging-Snape.  She said she would rather date
the giant squid than James.  If James did undergo some sort of reform,
I feel it completely possible that Lily would stop hating him. 
Perhaps even tolerate his company.  But enter into a serious
relationship which led to marriage within a year or two?  After all,
Harry was born only two years after the two began dating.  I just
can't see Lily's dramatic change of heart being attributed to a
gradual, natural change.

Something big happenned.  I have yet to decide exactly what that was,
but I'm certain it was pivotal.  :)  (The Prank, possibly.  I've
posted before that I think James' horror at the pain he almost caused
a close friend may have catalyzed the drastic personality change.  But
I remain unconvinced).  This pivotal event, whatever it was, was
enough to erase all previous dislike of James (except with Snape, of
course), change Lily's mind about James, convince Dumbledore that
James deserved to be Head Boy, etc.  I have a vague theory that it had
something to do with James' first defiance of Voldemort.  I'll get
back to you when I solidify that theory.

- Corinth