James Potter Bio Facts

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 90031

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ghinghapuss" <rredordead at a...> 
wrote:
> > Debbie R. wrote:
> > I've spent about 4 hours searching archives and rereading bits of 
> the books and can't find the confirmation I'm looking for, so I've 
> > decided to post to the list at large.....
> > Most everyone assumes that James Potter was of Gryffindor House - 
> but I can't find any specific canon reference that explicitly 
states 
> that as fact.
> > The HP Lexicon gives us 2 references; the first is the online 
> > interview with Scholastic wherein someone (making an assumption) 
> asks what position James played on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, 
and 
> JKR simply replies that he was a Chaser.  That, IMO, is not at all 
> > conclusive evidence she didn't say he wasn't Gryffindor, but she 
> > didn't say that he was either.   
> > The HP Lexicon also says that James' House was confirmed by Harry 
> in CH 31 of OP.  I've just reread the chapter twice and can find no 
> > mention of James anywhere. Am I just missing it? 
> 
> 
> Mandy here:
> No, you're not missing it.  There is absolutely no canon supporting 
> the idea that James Potter was in Gryiffindor. Which is why we all 
> argue over it, oh, about once or twice a month. ;-)  Not that I 
mind, 
> as every so often an interesting new opinion pops up.  
> 

Geoff:
I believe it is how you interpret Harry's point of view....

"The truth was that Ron had just reminded Harry forcibly of another 
Gryffindor Quiddich player who had once sat rumpling his hair under 
this very tree."

(OOTP "OWLS" p.621 UK edition)

..which takes you back to....

"Harry noticed that his father had a habit of rumpling up his hair as 
though to keep it fom getting too tidy and he also kept looking over 
at the girls by the water's edge."

(OOTP "Snape's Worst memory" p.568 UK edition)

...and...

"'Apologise to Evans,' James roared at Snape, his wand pointed 
threateningly at him.
'I don't want /you/ to make him apologise,' Lily shouted, rounding on 
James. 'You're as bad as he is.'
'What?' yelped James, 'I'd NEVER call you a -  you-know-what!'
'Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like 
you've just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid 
Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just 
because you can - I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the 
ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK.'

(OOTP "Snape's Worst Memory" p.571 UK edition)

It pretty obvious that Harry is thinking of his father as he talks to 
Ron. The question is, as has been raised before, does Harry /know/ 
that James was a Gryffindor player or is he basing assumptions, for 
example, on some of McGonagall's comments as I suggested a day or so 
ago?