[HPforGrownups] Scene with likable James

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 156287

> Nikkalmati:
>
> You have brought up a very interesting point about JKR and her way of
> writing.  This scene really hits the reader in the gut.  After all the 
> build up of
> James being this great guy, we see this?  After seeing Dudley  harass and
> pummel Harry, we see this from his father?  What a shocker, and  it is 
> typical of
> JKR to turn our impressions upside down and shake us (and  Harry) up.

Magpie:
Actually, I have to pipe up here and say I was arguing for just this view of 
James pre-OotP because we did see him just this way--through the Marauders 
map!  I think we're tricked into assuming that the map takes Harry's side 
against mean teacher Snape in PoA, but to me it read like this was just the 
way the Marauders spoke to Snape when they were at school--greasy nose etc. 
EvenWormtail's getting in the insults.  McGonagall gets misty over the 
little scamp, but if you think back to your own school years, who knew the 
students more--the teachers or their peers?  Obviously their peers.

Not that Snape is unbiased by any means--but he is describing actual James 
when he talks about him being arrogant and strutting and attacking him when 
he's outnumbered.  Just as Sirius/Remus are talking about the real Snape 
when they say he's a little oddball up to his eyes in the Dark Arts. Draco 
and Harry could probably also amaze and horrify their children with 
unflattering descriptions.

Still, I have to admit I liked James a lot more after the Pensieve.  Not for 
what he does to Snape--he's a bully there.  But when he's walking around 
just being a prat, mussing his hair and being just such a jackass...he made 
me laugh.

Of course, I'm one of the people who was also arguing for more Draco pre-HBP 
and saying that I didn't think he was just Harry's childhood rival that he 
was growing out of, so I may just lean towards the designated bullies of HP 
canon.:-)

-m