Harry's detention - James saved Snape's life incident

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 135737

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "saraquel_omphale" 
<saraquel_omphale at y...> wrote:
> Did anyone else think that when they read Harry's last set of 
> detentions with Snape, when he had to file the punishments, that
> he was going to come across the infamous James-saves-Snape's life
> incident and how DD dealt with it?  Well it didn't happen then,
> but I am wondering if Harry will go back and find out about that.  
> 
> Also, isn't it interesting that Snape wanted him to do that
> particular era.  I can't think that Snape wouldn't have realised
> that Harry might come across that incident.  Did he set it up for
> Harry to find out about what happened?  If so, why?

Jen: Good thinking, saraquel :). I didn't catch that possibility 
while reading the detention scene, but JKR did promise we'll hear 
more about it (World Book Day chat):

Kyla: "What made Sirius decide to send Snape to the Willow?"
JK Rowling replies -> "Because Sirius loathed Snape (and the feeling 
was entirely mutual). You'll find out more about this in due course."

Saying we'll hear more makes it sound like Snape and Lupin gave 
Harry an incomplete account. I don't think either one was hiding 
something, but they don't know what precipitated Sirius telling 
Snape about the tunnel, or how James actually saved Snape. But maybe 
you're right the cards will be the vehicle to hear the story. We're 
slowly losing all the people who could tell Harry about it in person!

So did Sirius loathe Snape in part because he and Regulus hung out 
together in Slytherin? I don't think Snape actually recruited 
Regulus to join the DE's because Sirius would have mentioned it, 
telling Harry that Snape was the reason Regulus joined. Sirius made 
it sound like Regulus' idea.

Back to the detentions, I mainly viewed those secenes as 'rubbing it 
in' moments for Snape, to remind Harry how James and Sirius acted at 
school. I've always wondered about that---what does Snape hope to 
accomplish by continually bad-mouthing James, does he actually want 
Harry to dislike his dad or what? It's just so persistent and 
obsessive that it seems like he's trying to sway Harry.

Jen