[HPforGrownups] That Horrid Boy (was: Re: Harry's summer in the 6th book)

[Lanthiriel S]

No: HPFGUIDX 101229


--- HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com wrote:

Message: 13
   Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 11:38:59 -0000
   From: "Jacqui" <jasonjacqui at yahoo.com>
Subject: That Horrid Boy (was: Re: Re: Harry's summer
in the 6th book)

Meri said:
> I'm thinking that this is one of JKR's red >
>herrings: we are meant to wonder who she is
>referring to, but it is almost certainly James. (And
>if you want another reason why I think it is almost
>certainly *not* Snape, just reread the "Snape's
>Worst Memory" chapter. I don't think that even 
> kindhearted Lily would have had anything to do with
>Snape after that.) 

Jacqui said:
>Meri, I have to agree with you on this one.  What
>Snape called Lily was a terrible insult. 
>Considering that when this happened it was the end
>of the fifth year, because they had just finished
>their exams.  Is it really possible for Lily to some
>how completly forgive Snape for what he said and
>date him in the sixth year, then start dating James
>in year seven?  Even if that was possible, why would 
>Snape date a muggle-born?  We all know how badly
>that is frowned upon while in Slytherin.

I realize now that I expressed myself very poorly in
my original message by referring to "Snape/Lily" in
that particular manner, seemingly suggesting that I
believe they had a romantic relationship. I do not.
What I do believe is that there may have been some
kind of connection between them that has not yet been
revealed in the books. I don't really know why I
believe this - it's just a vague feeling more than
anything else, and relates to my belief that there was
a much more profound reason for Snape and James's
mutual hatred. (If there was anything *romantic* in
the Snape/Lily connection, it was very likely
one-sided and kept secret. But, as I said, I don't
think the connection was romantic).

That said, I don't think Snape's insult in the "Worst
Memory" chapter proves or disproves anything, except
that Snape is as capable as James of being a real
jerk. Horrible as the insult was, people are capable
of saying truly awful, hurtful things - even to people
they care for - in moments when they have been pushed
beyond their better judgment and self-control. Besides
that, it is not said when Petunia saw this "awful boy"
with her sister. What of all the time before their
fifth year? It's completely possible that two people
who knew each other would keep their distance at
Hogwarts - even to the point of acting as if the other
person didn't exist - for any number of reasons.
Besides, "the awful boy" Petunia spoke of wasn't
referred to as having a romantic, or even a close,
relationship with Lily - all Petunia said was that she
overheard him telling her sister about the Dementors.
That's it. He could have been a neighbor, a distant
relation, someone who dropped by one day.

It was very probably James Petunia was referring to.
But then again, it's fun to speculate that it wasn't.

Lanthiriel S (who also realizes she misquoted Petunia,
who said "awful" rather than "horrid")







	
		
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