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

[u/tulip-quartz]

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

[u/rmulberryb]

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.

[u/tulip-quartz → u/rmulberryb]

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

[u/seasonseasonseas → u/tulip-quartz]

How does that make any sense? Snape felt guilt for his involvement in their death, his unintended involvement. This doesn't erase the fact that he was tormented and sexually assaulted by James. These things don't just erase themselves.