when did the prank take place?

[kiricat2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 83362

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt" 
<arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "kiricat2001" 
<Zarleycat at a...> wrote:
> > > 2. What if the 'Prank' was the first overt clash between Snape 
and 
> > the Gang?
> > 
> > Not if it took place when they were 16...
> > 
> > And, if we assume that Dumbledore spoke the truth to Harry in PoA 
> > (don't swallow your tongue, Kneasy!), then he (DD) didn't know 
about 
> > it and thus, probably didn't actively encourage WPP in their 
> > efforts.  I know, he spent time dropping all sorts of hints in 
their 
> > hearing and then turned a blind eye to whatever they might have 
been 
> > up to...
> > 
> > Marianne
> 
> I appreciate the points you make, but (no, BUT) I have this itch 
(tasteful
> comments only, please).

I am the *queen* of tasteful, and wouldn't dream of make any sort of 
quetionable comments regarding your itches! <g>

> Just *why* did Snape listen to Sirius and go down that tunnel?
> What did Sirius say to/tell Snape?
> If there had been trouble between them already I can't see Snape 
being
> gullible enough to accept his word without severe doubts about 
motive.
> If there  had already been trouble, I can't imagine them talking on 
any
> sort of level except the exchange of insults.

I agree with you - what we know now (or think we know) still has a 
lot of holes.  Could Sirius come up with a plausible (to Snape) story 
that he could tell with a straight face that Snape wouldn't treat 
with the utmost suspicion?  Doesn't seem likely.  

Yet, if Snape and James truly hated each other from the get-go, and 
James and Sirius were best friends, it also doesn't seem likely that 
there would be a field of neutrality between Sirius and Snape.  

> Lack of previous hostile action is the only plausible explanation I 
can 
> come up with, even if the evidence tends to counter it.

I hope JKR clears up the mystery sometime over the next two books...

Marianne