Hating Dark Arts (was re James' essence...)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 154130

Kemper: 
> I see the Dark Arts as a false reason the boys hated Sevie.  Based on 
both
> boys' competitive spirit and over developed sense of self, I'd say 
they
> hated Sevie because he was an intellectually/magically gifted equal, 
if not
> better.


Potioncat:

It seems to me, based on JKR's comment that Sirius loathed Snape and 
the feeling was mutual, that the dislike was between these two and 
James simply went along with it. That is, the animosity was personal 
between Sirius and Severus, but not so personal between James and 
Severus. James may have hated the Dark Arts and so, disliked anyone who 
performed/studied them. Severus may have fallen in that category as 
well as being Sirius's enemy. It certainly doesn't seem that the same 
degree of ill will flows between Severus and Remus.

Sirius Black has some real credibility issues. There are several places 
where he's made a statement that later proves to be incorrect. Just 
like Hagrid, who says things that turn out to be wrong. His comment 
about Severus being an 'oddball' sends up warning flags. It's very easy 
to misjudge the oddball.

Now either his comment that Snape hung out with a certain gang of 
Slytherins is wrong, or JKR's math is very bad. We aren't going to know 
whose mistake it is until the next book. And at the moment, either one 
is a strong possibility. 

I'm very interested in why Sirius and James disliked Severus and why 
Severus disliked them.

One other piece of the puzzle. The Black Family Tree may be nothing 
more than a bit of fluff to raise money for a charity, but it could 
hold clues. Dorea Black Potter may have had some influence on young 
James. She could have rejected the Dark Arts of her family and may have 
passed stories down that James heard. (I'm guessing she's an aunt, not 
his mother.)

JKR likes to mislead her readers. I think there's something important 
in this mix, that will change how we look at the Marauder/Snape 
relationship.