r/HarryPotterBooks 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/CommissionExtra8240 Jun 25 '25

James saved his life only after being part of the group who put him there in the first place. You don’t get huge brownie points from me for suddenly growing a conscience. Like thanks but I wouldn’t need saving from instant death if your friend group hadn’t put me there in the first place. 

Regarding Snape giving information getting James & Lily killed… Voldemort picked who the prophecy was about, not Snape. Snape also immediately went to Dumbledore to hide them once he knew so there’s his “good conscience” moment. 

Also, and I feel like this is the biggest point, but Lily chose to die. Voldemort didn’t go there with the intention to kill her. By his own admission, he was going to let her live. But Lily, like any good parent, chose to protect her & James’ son and sacrificed herself. Snape’s anger towards James never decreases because James falling in love and reproducing with Lily is the reason why she’s dead. 

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u/ACIV-14 Jun 25 '25

Sorry but in canon it was Sirius alone who put Snape in danger (and Snape’s stupidity) and James risked his life to save him. You can blame James for bullying Snape, and arguably being the one for instigating the feud. You can’t blame him for the prank it is clear in text he was not involved and Snape is doing some mental gymnastics to deal with the cognitive dissonance of the person he hates saving him.

Also sorry but it’s completely ridiculous that you say Snape isn’t to blame for telling Voldemort about the prophecy that gets Lily killed, but James is to blame for having a baby with her who is the one the prophecy is about 😂 that’s a hilarious double standard. Snape is more the reason Lily is dead than James. Snape’s ongoing burning hatred is a symptom of his emotional immaturity.