The Prank on Snape

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 114259

>Marla wrote:
First we hear about Snape having a debt to James because he saved 
Snape from Lupin.  
>Then Snape elaborates the tale by telling Harry that James only did 
it to save his own skin.  Later still we hear a more complete 
version from Lupin in the Shrieking Shack where he also adds how 
Snape particularly hated James of the four of them.  Where this 
bothers me is that James didn't have anything to do with 
> sending him to the Willow.  

So why can't Snape accept the fact that he really does owe him a 
debt of gratitude and why does he really hate James so much more 
than the others?  If it were I, Sirius would be the most hated one.  
One more thing, I don't agree with the idea that Snape knew Lupin 
was a werewolf before entering the tunnel.  He was still too curious 
to find out what was going on down there, what sane person would 
take such a risk.  

Oh oh oh oh, and one more thing.  Where was Ms Pomfery while all 
this is going on.  The book reads that Snape followed them both to 
the Whomping Willow but it doesn't mention her returning before 
Snape enters.  Do you suppose she just leds Lupin to the entrance or 
does she take him all the way to the Shack?  Thanks for letting me 
> vent.

Hannah now: Snape clearly thought that James did have some part in 
sending him to the willow, from what he says to Harry.  He refers to 
James and his friends playing a trick on him that would have got him 
killed.  Perhaps Snape really did believe that James was part of it, 
or perhaps James was initially in on some less serious prank, but 
then Sirius took it a step further?  Although Lupin and Black seem 
to be saying that James had nothing to do with it, Snape obviously 
thinks he did.

I actually think Snape would have preferred to be eaten by Lupin 
than have to be grateful to James Potter.  His hatred of James was 
already six years old as this point.  Some theorists would suggest 
that James marrying Lily Evans was the final straw for Snape.  I 
would say from his behaviour in PoA, GoF and OotP that Black came a 
close second to Potter on Snape's blacklist.  

As for the whereabouts of Madam Pomfrey, she would have to have got 
out of the shack before Lupin transformed, or she'd have been in 
danger.  By the time Snape goes along the tunnel, Lupin is a 'fully 
grown werewolf.'  So Pomfrey has no doubt already made heself scarce.

Hannah