Snape's Worst Memory

[julie]

No: HPFGUIDX 174179


> 
> JW:
> You fully understand the point, although I think it was evident in 
the 
> first reading of SWM.  After all, the memory did not end with the 
> Marauders' teasing - it ended with Snape insulting Lily.  Had the 
> teasing been climatic, there would have been no reason to extend 
the 
> memory any further.  Additionally, had this action been typical of 
> Snape, Lily would not have looked surprised at the insult.
> 
> Clearly, the author meant for us to understand that this was a 
turning 
> point in Snape's life, and NOT just another run-in with the James 
Gang.
> 
> My reconsideration of SWM focused on the irony of James' attitude 
and 
> words.  Why did he torment Snape? Just because Snape existed.  Fast 
> forward to DH - why did LV kill Snape? For more-or-less the same 
reason.
>

Julie:
I think many, maybe most, fans did read that one right. It
was clear Snape and the Marauders already had a long history
of tormenting each other. One incident out of dozens wouldn't
be significant, so the one difference in this memory--Lily
witnessing his humiliation and of him responding by calling
her a Mudblood had to be what was significant. 

BTW, James may have said he was tormenting Snape just because
he existed, but James is just a big ol' liar! Hey, it may be
an unconscious lie, in which case James lying to himself also, 
but he is after Snape because Snape is Lily's oldest friend
at Hogwarts. Not only her oldest friend, but a Slytherin,
and most importantly, someone who had the potential to be
*more* than friends with Lily. James may not know it yet,
but he isn't about to let that happen, because he wants 
Lily for himself! 

In the end James turned out to be much better for Lily than 
Snape likely would have ever been, but the "because he
exists" excuse doesn't hold water for me now, as there 
was no differece between Snape and the other Slytherins
his age (who were apparently all soon to be fitted for Death
Eater masks) other than Snape's connection to Gryffindor's
most popular girl.

Julie, who's actually glad there was some motive for the
Marauders continued harassment of Snape other than merely
that he existed.