Man the canons Re: Snape vs. Sirius (was: Snape's Stubbornness)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 127223


 
Alla wrote:
> > snip
For that reason ( holes in the story) I am very reluctant to say 
that Sirius planned to kill Snape. I don't see it as supported in 
the text yet, that is all. I am not saying that Sirius did a good 
deed, not at all, but I don't exclude the possibility that Prank was 
somebode else's setup.

Again, sorry for repeating myself , but surely Sirius and Snape did 
not like each other way before Prank happened, right? JKR did say 
that they loathed each other, so why stop and have a chat with each 
other? Why, why, why?
 
Potioncat:
Canon
SS/PS chapter 17 DD says that Severus and James detested each other 
and James saved Severus' life. He goes on to say, "Funny the way 
people's minds work, isn't it? Professor Snape couldn't bear being 
in your father's debt...I do believe he worked so hard to protect 
you this year because he felt that would make him and your father 
even."

Alla:

Hey! Our posts crossed in the mid air. :o) Yes, this is canon for 
James's saving Snape's life. It is just Bookworm got me thinking 
about when did it happen, but most likely I am just complicating and 
overanalysing things now. In any event - what MAINLY bugs me is the 
backstory of the Prank itself.

Potioncat:
PoA chapter 14 Snape says, "And did the headmaster tell you the 
circumstances in which your father saved my life?..."
"...your saintly father and his friends played a highly amusing joke 
on me that would have resulted in my death if your father hadn't 
gotten cold feet at the last moment..."


Alla:

That IS a great canon for James saving Snape life during the Prank 
too.

Potioncat:
PoA chapter 18 Lupin speaking he talks about the dislike between 
Snape and the Marauders. "You see, Sirius here played a trick on him 
that nearly killed him, a trick which involved me."...
..."It served him right." Black sneered.

Alla:

Again, I am in a  VERY speculative mood today ( hopefully canon 
based, but still speculative). If Snape knew who Remus was before 
hand and Remus did not, surely Remus would overestimate the danger 
then, right?

 
> back to Potioncat:
> So both Severus and James were at risk for being killed. This from 
> Snape, Dumbledore and Lupin.

Alla:

I would say from Snape and Lupin, right? Dumbledore does not say 
when James saved Severus' life.


Potioncat:
It seems to me that neither Remus nor James knew about the joke 
before hand. Snape either has reason to think they knew about it, or 
simply suspects they knew.

Alla:

I would agree, but then it again leaves us with Peter and Lily,     
since someone had to tell James about what Sirius did

Potioncat
What was the circumstance in which Sirius told Snape? And how did 
he manage it in such a way that Snape went after Lupin? Did Snape 
have any suspicion that Lupin was a werewolf? I'm not sure if 
Pomfrey went into the tunnel with Lupin. If she did, Snape may have 
thought it was safe to follow.

Alla:

Yes, those questions really bug me too. :o) VERY interesting idea 
about Pomfrey though. Especially in light of your idea that it did 
not happen during one evening. Severus got the info one day and went 
in on another?


Potioncat: 
If we believe Sirius was an impulsive teenager, why can't we also 
accept Severus as a teenager? Even if he was less impulsive than 
Sirius, that leaves a lot of room for impulsivity. Perhaps Sirius, 
at his most charming, was offering a payback for the rude treatment 
he'd given Severus earlier that week? (OWLs) or maybe this happens 
early 6th year.

Alla:

Sure, I can see Snape having some kind of impulsivity. What I don't 
see unfortunately is him believing anything Sirius says, especially 
if it concerns another person, whose secret Sirius and James are 
protecting. I am just not sure that Sirius will be THAT eager to 
talk with Snape about Remus. I am also not sure that Severus will 
believe any nice things coming from Sirius. Sorry!


Potioncat:
<SNIP>
I know I didn't answer the "how" but did this help at all?


Alla: 

You gave me some new food for thought and  very interesting one, but 
I am afraid my questions are still here. :o)

Thanks.

JMO

Alla, who does not think that this post of hers is very coherent 
because of the lateness of the hour. :o)