OOP: Why did Snape REALLY hate James?

[greatlit2003]

No: HPFGUIDX 68561

Hi everyone. Sorry if this has already been discussed, but it's hard 
to keep track of the many posts.

I don't think the Pensieve scene could be Snape's worst memory of 
James, despite the title of the chapter. DD and even Hagrid (see 
first Friday tea scene in the first book) are aware of James and 
Snape's enmity. Quirrell knew about it. Could this really be a result 
of some schoolyard bullying? If DD was aware of the bullying, he 
should have stopped it. DD is aware of Draco and Harry's enmity, and 
he doesn't interfere. But if they get physical, the teachers do 
interfere. So, there must have been some other reason for the hatred, 
which DD was aware of. I just can't picture Snape loathing Harry 
because James humiliated him. Also, where were Snape's "gang of 
Slytherin" friends in that scene? What happened to his extraordinary 
knowledge of Dark Magic, which he supposedly knew since before he 
entered Hogwarts? I think that James is somehow connected to Snape's 
family. Maybe he arrested them or killed them? Snape gets emotional 
over very few things. One is James, the other is Sirius, and the 
third is some painful family past that he suppresses. It's a topic 
for speculation. Any ideas?

greatlit2003