Why did Lily marry James ? / Snapes other worst memory

[l3al3y_Doll_3]

No: HPFGUIDX 67315

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "corinthum" <kkearney at s...> 
wrote:
> 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


I think the original idea of using a love potion and having the plan 
go wrong and it being Snape's other worst memory, seems too far-
fetched. For one thing, there has never been any evidence Snape 
considered Lily as anything more than a "mudblood". That's one of 
the biggest fan misconceptions of this series.

When I first read someone compare a love potion to a date rape drug, 
my first reaction was "Whoa! What muggles have you been talking 
to?"  A date rape drug impairs your judgement and motor skills, and 
could knock you out for a while resulting in a person being 
violated. A love potion's purpose is to in a way have the object of 
one's desire be attracted to them, something that doesn't include 
violence. From everty time I've heard a love potion being used in 
stories or movies or what have you, it has never been related to 
rape. I doubt the potion lasts long, but I won't go into that 
anymore because a love potion has only been mentioned once or twice 
in the series, and never in detail about use in HP wizard world.

So far any reason given why Lily and James married is all 
speculation. But why is it so hard to believe it could have been 
love? Assuming James' dislike for Snape never went away, since 
Sirius' obviously didn't, that's not the point as I see it. Lily and 
James were Head Boy and Girl together, allowing them a lot of time 
to spend to get to know one another. So, maybe Lily saw beyond the 
feud and cockyness (if he still was by their seventh year). But like 
I said, it's all speculation so far.