OOP - Why James changed

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 64103

Jens: 
> Me:
> I tend to think the change in James was to do with the Prank. Now, there are 
> a lot of directions one could go with that general idea, but my opinion is 
> that he didn't so much drop his bullying behavior because he grew up but 
> because Dumbledore made him. I think Dumbledore missed a lot of what 
James 
> did (perhaps because he tended to pick on people who were too proud to 
get 
> help, ei. Snape), but after the Prank DD realised what had been going on. 
> So, he said that if he caught wind of James bullying the other students he 
> would expel him. Therefore James simply focused all his pent up 
aggression 
> at Snape, who was _obviously_ at fault for the position James ended up in.
> 


So, Dumbledore, who has ways of finding out what happened that are, shall 
we say, more effective than an ordinary headmaster, has no clue what James 
is doing.

OK, I'll buy that.

He then catches wind and Dumbledore tells James, who has already saved 
Snape's life (because you said it was AFTER the prank) "You stop that now or 
you'll be out of here."

James, not so much reformed now as scared, leaves everyone alone except 
Snape, but still gets away with it, because D-Dore is such a dullard that he 
figures that little talk did the trick and doesn't keep an eye on Snape to make 
sure he's OK.

Again... Snape never missed an opportunity to curse James and James 
wasn't going to take that lying down. That's from Lupin, who has been 
generally more trustworthy than Sirius on matters of Snape. 

That is a clear line of cause and effect. Snape cursed James every chance he 
got. James, perhaps not the aggressor any longer, but nobody's punk, fought 
back.

If, as you say, this took place after D-Dore stepped in, then I have to ask,... 
how STUPID is Snape? (I already think he's a total moron for actually GOING 
to the Shrieking Shack because Sirius suggested it. What did he expect? To 
ACTUALLY be able to get Lupin in trouble?)

When a teacher intervenes on your behalf, it is a good idea NOT to keep 
agitating the kid who has been kicking your ass up and down.  

And even though James is still regularly abusing Snape, he somehow gets 
appointed Head Boy, because D-Dore doesn't hesitate to put a bully who has 
only reformed out of threats of expulsion in the highest-ranking student 
position, marries the Head Girl (I forget, did her force her or not?) becomes a 
popular member of the Order of the Phoenix and a seemingly  well-respected 
member of the wizard community, all because D-Dore didn't follow through.

That's a lot to ask, isn't it? Is it just the tiniest bit possible that something 
happened in James' head or heart that made him realize he was out of 
control? 

Darrin