[HPforGrownups] Re: Lily and James, a hpappy couple?

[Pam Hugonnet]

No: HPFGUIDX 82627


I wrote this earlier but was the victim of Yahoomort.  Let's try it again...

  Salit wrote (re:  Peter, Lily and the photo):

  For the readers this is also meant to convey how much Lily and James 
  trusted Peter and viewed him as part of their family, moreso even 
  than Lupin and Sirius. It is possible that this subtly indicates that 
  while Sirius and James (seated side by side? don't have the book with 
  me) were best friends, Lily probably was more friendly with Peter 
  than with the other two.


  I think that this scene might well give us a hint about the quality of the relationship between Peter and James, Sirius and  Remus.  While Harry was disturbed by his father's arrogant and self-absorbed behavior as a teenager, I was revolted by Peter's slavish slavering over James and his antics.  Remember in the scene by the lake when James is playing with the snitch how Peter is in obvious raptures of delight over James' skills?  Sirius becomes irritated with Peter's sycophantic behavior.  And later, Peter watches almost greedily as James bullies/fights with Snape.   I think that Peter was a bit of an outlier in that social group, but I think he was kept around by James, who enjoyed Peter's hero worship.  I think that, as a teenager, James's biggest weakness may have been his ego--his need for attention, to be the big guy.   Even though he later matured out of some of his big-headedness, his loyalty to his old friend (and perhaps Peter's hero-worship still retained some appeal)led James to keep Peter around.   In light of this scene by the lake, Sirius's comments in the Shrieking Shack about Peter's behavior make more sense.  I had always wondered why, despite what seemed like Sirius's obvious dislike and mistrust of Peter--and Peter's obvious lack of equal magical prowess--Peter was part of that little social group.   I do wonder how Lily felt about him, though.  I suspect she had her doubts about  him, as did Sirius.

  drpam 




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