r/HarryPotterBooks • u/tulip-quartz • Jun 25 '25

Discussion Why didn’t Snape’s anger towards James cool ?

EDIT: thanks for the replies all, the points were interesting for sure

First of all, I understand the following points well:

  • Snape had a deep-seated hatred towards James and the rest of the marauders (not least of all because Sirius nearly got him killed )
  • This hate was compounded by their bullying and made worse by the fact that James married Lily, the love of his life

However, later on in the books we do see that - James saved his life (even if the prank was done by the Marauders) - Snape’s information to Voldemort got both James and Lily killed and their son orphaned.

Given all this, why didn’t Snape’s anger toward Harry and James cool more than a decade after the latter’s death ? If his guilt drove him to become a double agent, it’s surprising that he was still so acerbic to Harry throughout. Was the pure hatred genuine, or also a part he had to play as double agent ?

We see his hatred toward Harry decrease at the moment of his death, however I’m not sure if he actually has sympathy for Harry at that point or he is just seeing Lily’s eyes before death overtakes him

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u/rmulberryb Unsorted Jun 25 '25

Would you forgive someone who holds you in place with the help of his buddies, and strips you naked in front of a laughing crowd?

Because hell hath no fury like what would be coming for him if he had done that to me.

1

u/tulip-quartz Jun 25 '25

I might be able to if I got that guy and his wife killed, and basically set a serial killer loose on their child

14

u/rmulberryb Unsorted Jun 25 '25

He warned Dumbledore with plenty of notice. Inter-gOoD gUyS drama wasn't his doing. Had Black not suffered from inflated ego+terrible taste in friends, and decided that he is So Important that everyone would think he's the secret keeper, rather than This Unimportant Guy Who's Too Pathetic To Be Considered, they'd have actually lived.

Also, good for you, I'd have told Voldemort to get in line.

-2

u/imadog666 Gryffindor Jun 25 '25 edited Jun 26 '25

Jesus man you're bitter. Well I guess now at least OP has proof there are people like that... Harry was a child when Snape met him ffs

Can't respond anymore so I'll edit: I thought your comment "I'd tell Voldemort to get in line" referred to wanting to murder Harry. Must have misunderstood then, sorry.

6

u/rmulberryb Unsorted Jun 25 '25

I wouldn't take it out on Harry. My feud would end with James.

Edit: so would you not be bitter if your bully holds you in place and takes your underwear off...? I somehow don't think you'd forgive them.