[HPforGrownups] The Huge overreactions from a five minute time span.

[Kemper]

No: HPFGUIDX 150122

On 3/27/06, Joe Goodwin <joegoodwin1067 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> People should be able to feel and say whatever they like. That said, the many attempts to make James Potter out to be some sort of horrible person, which often use this one scene as 'evidence,' are laughable. Strangely I have gotten a few 'Off list' emails agreeing with me and warning me that the 'Save Snape brigade is going to have a fit."

Kemper now:
>From Snape's Worst Memory:

"As [Snape] emerged from the shadow of the bushes and set off across
the grass, Sirius and James stood up.  Lupin and Wormtail remained
sitting: Lupin was still staring down at his book, thought his eyes
were not moving and a faint frown line had appeared between his
eyebrows."

Why did Lupin continue staring down at his book?  To me, it suggest
that he wants to appear to be reading so as to avoid witnessing what
he knows will transpire: Snape getting picked on.  If Lupin did not
realize Snape was going to get picked on, he would have got up and
went along with his friends... or, at least, he would lift his head
out of the book to see what his friends were up to.  But Lupin doesn't
because he knows this scene, he's seen it 'x' amount of times for 'y'
amount of time.

So, Joe, your right the chapter shows one brief scene in James' and
Snape's relationship, but you're laughably wrong to suggest this was a
one time event.


>Joe continues:
> Were Sirius and James both guilty of a lot of pranks? Absolutely. Did they get punished? Well we see Harry having to go through all the dentenion forms, including many of James and Sirius. The truth is that they were mostly normal boys who often tease, prank and pick on each other. They were not nasty and if Sirius is nasty to Snape after they left, well frankly I think it is totally understandable. Snape is nasty to everyone.

Kemper now:
The truth is that James and Sirius were the cool crowd, and Snape was
gigantic nerd.  Jocks against the D&D kid.  No where in the scene do
we see status as equal.  So while I don't see the scene as sexual
harassment/assault, I do see it as the start of emasculation (which
was richly, though unknowingly, finished off by Lily as female coming
in for the rescue.)  I could be totally wrong, but as a once and
future nerdy boy (I realise it may be difficult to fathom a man who
reads/discusses the intricacies of HP may be a bit nerdy, but there
you have it) but nerdy kids don't pick on the cool kids, they prefer
to avoid unwanted attention.

Again, you're right, Snape is a nasty guy.  But Sirius is an arrogant
pr!(|<.  (IMnerdyO)

Kemper, who's wondering where all the detention/punishment forms are
for Snape in Filch's filing cabinet.  Also, 'Hi' to those writing
offlist to Joe; I look forward to your onlist response.