I love going to SF. I will never forget the mini heart attack I got the first time I got on the train and they told me we were going underwater (I actually thought the train was like, you know, going to dive into the water... I was young!)
I will give SF your love. I am also going with the family which is why there will be no WiFi. I mean, there will be but I won't be able to use it unless I want my mother to kill me with a single look. But little does she know, FF.net has a mobile site now >:)
PS. Whenever someone says "but little does he/she know..." I feel like Morgan Freeman is narrating someone's life.
Yay for updates!!! I really like that song. I'd never heard it before. Have fun in SF Bree!!! I will miss you on tumblr and here if you aren't able to post!
ps i don't know if you saw it but i posted a prediction on the questions, questions, questions post.... tell me what you think (anyone). (i just posted it today)
@Bree: you should know that El Nino is going crazy in the SF Bay Area. There was a lightening / thunder / hail storm tonight. So... bring your umbrella!
Lindsay, Okay I commented over there but let me repost my comment here: "Lindsay! I've been thinking about that dream, too. Didn't Jules say somewhere that there was a chapter called The Third Letter? Like Ch45 or something? "
@kneelb4todd- Balls. And we're driving up there, too. Damn, another reason why I don't really want to go.
It's fucking bipolar weather. I'm like 50 miles out, and this morning it was pouring, then it was warm and sunny, then it started hailing, and then it got sunny again.
But you can go ice skating in union square! That's always fun =P
@Bree's third post: I wish Morgan Freeman would narrate my life. That would be totally epic. Also, I sometimes sort of wish my life were a muscial, where people would just burst into random dance and song (and, you know, not just b/c they're crazy or something). It would just make life that much better, right?
@silver_thunderbird--and Nataly Dawn. She's my hero. I flipped out when I saw Pomplamoose on a car commercial.
@Kelsey, I've been wanting my life to be a musical since I was about four. Fred and Ginger majorly inspired me. And "Glee" has only fed my delusion that it might some day be possible. I'm thinking a musical narrated by Morgan Freeman would be the ultimate life to have.
@Jules @Kelsey Oh Glee. I think it would be terrific to have a band that just followed me around everywhere I went, so that, if I ever felt the need to, I could burst into song and have music in the background. Wouldn't that be awesome??
Life really should have a soundtrack...whenever you're feeling particularly emotional, inspiring piano music would just start playing in the background....you would always know when bad things were about to happen to you because the music would get scary...and you'll know when you're about to die because the music would get really dramatic....Life would be CRAZY.
@Kelsey- OMG, your comment reminded me about those people who used to go into libraries and lectures at universities and randomly begin a musical number. Look at these legends! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SwhzFsuvQc
*sigh* If only I had the guts...and Rachel Berry's talent, I would so do it.
@Jules- A musical life narrated by Morgan Freeman? WANT.
@Anonymous- I wish that Pokemon battle music would play when I encountered someone I don't like.
And speaking of iPods...Every time I walk in the streets listening to my iPod, I pretend I'm in a music video. I can't be the only one....right?
@Sara- Yay! At least we're not alone in this lol. I sometimes pretend I'm in an episode of Supernatural. This is especially true when lights start flickering and it gets really cold. I just tell myself a ring of salt will protect me and that the Winchester boys will be along soon.
@Jules- *high five* You've got no idea how many times I've had to defend him. It's gotten to a point where I feel repetitive and yet I can't stop myself when someone bashes him. I feel the overpowering NEED to school these haters.
@bree: My school organized a "caf sing" last year--at dinner there were huge lyrics posted on the walls and when the music started we all sang "Lean on Me" and.....gosh, I can't remember the other song! Something by The Beatles....All You Need is Love? Maybe? Anyway, it was PRETTY much the best moment of my life ;) But that's about as close as I've gotten to something like the link you posted!
@bree and Lindsay: Can you post links to your tumblr accounts? I think you both have before, but....I'm too lazy to wade back through all the posts on this blog to find them!
@bree- Oh wow I just read your defense. I must admit that I proceeded to reblog it and write a HUGE rant backing you up. if you ever start up this school I think I could help. yes? -Sara
ahh james lovers! excellent. are you also remus haters? cuz i am. and it was bullshit that sirius got put at the same level as snape and luna (wtf) in the child naming.
Ugh, can we not talk about the child naming? Because I will literally NEVER shut up once you get me started on that. I could probably write a graduate thesis on the naming of Harry's children.
Oh God, Harry's children's names....worst. thing. ever. Seriously, I mean, just THINK about it for TWO seconds, Harry and Ginny, and you will REALIZE that NONE of those names sound right. I mean, Albus Severus Potter? Yeah, that just flows right off the tongue.
And I LOVE REMUS too!!!
Speaking of Remus, I found your tumblr, Bree, and the gif of him telling Harry his happy memory is ridiculous made me LOL for like five minutes straight ;) Awesome.
remus and sirius were both supposed to be james's BEST friends in school. james dies.
sirius spends 12yrs rotting in fucking azkaban. he escapes and the FIRST thing he does is go to see harry. he writes harry constantly WHILE ON THE RUN. actually loves him to the point where molly accuses him of thinking of harry as james.
remus spends 12yrs feeling sorry for himself. never visits harry while he's undergoing child abuse(!) probably on dumbledore's orders, but i don't see that stopping sirius. ignores his connection with james when he's actually harry's teacher. reluctantly divulges the connection when he has to.
ok sooo this is random but i just listened to the everybody loves me song by one republic..and OH MY GOSH. AHHH!! such a perfect song for james hahaha. and yay! i'm so excited for the next chapter :)
Well obviously Sirius is BETTER than Remus. But that doesn't stop Remus from being kickass.
And Remus generally sees himself as a curse to everyone he knows, so assuming that Dumbledore wanted to keep people away from Harry and that Remus was unaware of Harry's general abuse, it would make sense that he would be obedient and stay away.
ALSO, Remus gets to know Harry as his teacher independent of his relationship with James, because he's trying to maintain professionalism. I don't think that's just an excuse; I genuinely think he doesn't want to favor Harry too much, although, he definitely does.
ALSO, Remus would hardly want to bring up the Marauders, because that would be equally traumatizing for himself and for Harry. Sirius was his best friend, and Remus believes that he is responsible for killing his other two best friends and another good friend... two of whom was Harry's father and mother. That's really not the kind of history lesson you want to bring up with a thirteen-year-old.
ALSO, Remus is obviously flawed (see: Deathly Hallows, Prisoner of Azkaban, Order of the Phoenix...), but that doesn't stop me from lovin' him something fierce =P.
Back to the James-haters thing: why is it that all Snape/Lily shippers are James haters? I am a Lily/James shipper but I positively ADORE Snape, and I think all the things he did for a love that was ultimately unrequited is so romantic and depressing and wonderful.
Now on to the Remus thing: I honestly didn't know it was possible to hate Remus (unless you are, you know, Snape or Umbridge). I think his story is so sad and tragic, all those years of misery and pain. I can't think of him and not want to jump into the books and give him a bone-crushing hug. I HEART Remus Jonn Lupin. (Was his middle name John? Can't be bothered to check.)
Agree with Jules - he didn't know what Harry was going through. And yes, he didn't help out with Harry, but what could he do? He could barely provide for himself let alone someone else; he probably knew he would be unwelcome at the Dursleys; and he probably (at least, I imagine) felt too ashamed to see him.
Don't diss Remus. Remus is only meant to be loved, not hated.
(The only problem I have with him is HBP onwards - NEVER got the whole Remus/Tonks thing. It makes the mind (at least MY mind) boggle.)
remus didn't need to bring up sirius or peter. harry should be able to talk about his parents to his heart's content, especially to one of the people who knew them best. that entire topic shouldn't be taboo because of why they died or cuz of professionalism.
all i know is that james would turn over in his grave if he knew his son was raised by the durseleys while his (2nd) best-friend couldn't be bothered.
Awww, I kinda like Remus/Tonks. I think I just want the boy to be loved. And the idea of Teddy Lupin just makes me go warm and fuzzy inside... considering the kid was mentioned like, twice, I have a ridiculous amount of affection for Teddy Lupin and Teddy/Victoire.
@bree- totally noticed that and felt like such a nerd.
@ Jules 4:37 : Yes, I really want Remus to be happy and loved etc. but it just wasn't remotely belieavable to me. I got the impression (and so have a lot of other readers, although most of those were Remus/Sirius shippers) that Remus wasn't really in love with Tonks... he never actually looked happy with her. Which made me sad, as all I want (for Christmas, hehe) is for Remus to be happy; and cos Tonks seemed ecctatic.
@Jules 4:39: TOTALLY agree with that. Want LaT, like, yesterday.
@Jules 4:44: Don't get Miley Cyrus the way I don't get Remus/Tonks.
Well, I started to write a reply about all the Remus stuff, but y'all pretty much said it. Love him. Right. Already said that. Anyway....
@Bree: No, I don't have a tumblr. Saw that there was a Kelsey on yours though and kind of freaked out. Well, not really. I mean, I'm hardly the only one in the world. But it was a bit weird. Esp that gif of that song "Kelsey"--my friend put it on a mix for me for my b-day this year, but it sort of creeps me out to listen to it, b/c I feel like the guy is stalking me. I'm like, why are you singing to me; I don't know you. haha, totally odd, I know. Also, the map-reverse-dying-order thing--definitely noticed and was amused.
@Anonymous: Yes, John is his middle name. For some reason it amuses me to no end that his middle name is so normal ;)
Ya, I like Remus/Tonks, but I totally understand not liking Remus/Tonks... just like I understand not liking Harry/Ginny. There's a lot left to the imagination, because JKRs focus was never "the relationships" and some people interpret things differently.
@Anonymous OMG I'm totally imaging myself as Zeus throwing lightning bolts now. This is not good. this is very bad. I need to finish the fucking chapter.
Kelsey- Haha, yeah that must have been me and my friend Kelsey talking about Misfits. And that Metro Station/Kelsey/Horse picture was in my blog because everyone says the lead singer, Trace Cyrus (Miley's brother) looks like a horse. Everyone's always making stupid pictures like that lol. But I can see how the song can freak you out. Although, I wish there was a song named after me...
all the characters are flawed in some ways, which makes them so real and wonderful. Remus had his faults like everyone. I personally don't admire snape did at all. He was still a terrible person, he only cared about one person, what about all the others he hurt? He was a death eater. The whole Lily/Snape ship makes me vomit lolol. BUUUTT i still love him as a character/appreciate his flaws.
^ Yes, I can see why people would hate him, but I personally think it was very romantic. And his love for Lily was his only redeeming quality, and he spent his life trying to undo his wrongs with her. He's still a dick (I can get why he behaved that way to Harry, but the stuff he said to Neville was awful), but I can appreciate the tradgedy of his life.
It took me a while to get to a place where I didn't hate him, but I got there in the end, and somewhere along the lines I started to genuinely like him. Alan Rickman helped with that though.
ALSO speaking of Remus--total lunar eclipse tonight (well, really early tom. morning, actually). First time in 372 years that it's happened on the winter solstice. (this has been history fun facts w/Kelsey)
@Jules: HAHA awesome, I'll take that as a compliment. That just reminded me of this inside joke my friend and I had about the third HP movie. So, you know how it has all those random Harry/Lupin bonding scenes? Well, we decided Remus should have his own show, called "Life Lessons with Lupin" (brought to you by the Association for the Betterment of Werewolves). Ah, good times ;)
I was just reading this and when it came to the Snape part I remembered a question I've been meaning to ask.
At some point in the story, it was revealed that Lily was/believed herself to be in love with Snape. Now, I read LaT super-fast and may have not absorbed bits here and there, so I may have missed it. Does Lily at any specific point in time ever come to the realisation that she isn't in love with Snape, or is it a gradual conclusion?
Yes! That's the thing. She realises that she doesn't trust him, and that their friendship is already ended and it's not worth trying to salvage etc., but I don't remember her ever mentioning the word 'love' when she was coming to this conclusion, which confused me a trifle.
I think right now, Lily knows she's not in love with him. She's been forced to confront this fact via Snape APPARENTLY not giving a fuck about their relationship (Chapter 23, I believe?) and it was kind of referenced in Chapter 24. But on the whole, it hasn't really been an issue yet, so, in that sense, there will be a more definitive moment when Lily has to be like, "yes, world/self, I don't love him."
Lol ok. Well, looking forward to that moment - or any moment, really. Any LaT = goodness. Even if I have to read James/Carlotta (Ugh. Though I think I might actually prefer to read Snape/Lily to that. I find Carlotta so repulsive; moreso, even, than Snape). MO
I missed like everything!!!! Oh well thats what I get for venturing into the outside world... Remus: Love him. Remus/Tonks: Could have been better developed but still love them. QUESTION: What are they going to do for the next movie because they never mentioned Teddy. At the very beginning Tonks is about to announce something but then Moody shuts her up. And Teddy NEEEEEEEDS to be apart of the epilogue. That was like the only good part. (NAMES!!!! UGHHH NAMES!!! Btw if you ever want to do a blog post on the names I will gladly rant with you) Miley: Sounds like a more dangerous topic than Lupin Snape: Hate him. I can write a thesis on how terrible he really is. All the pity Snape people need to realize he dug his own grave. Lily doesn't love Snape come to Jesus meeting: sweet. I really hope she tells it to his face. @Kelsey (and whoever else wants to know) my tumblr is http://zz92.tumblr.com/ (but don't get too excited I'm still new to it and am still figuring it out.
I do understand why some people hate Snape. I too, hated him so unbelievably much... but I love his friendship with Lily, and when we find out his life story was one of my favorite parts of the entire HP series.
I don't suppose you guys who hate/dislike Snape would give this one fanfic a shot?
The sequencing and characterization is amazing. (It does follow cannon.)
It's one of my ultimate favorites, and it really made me appreciate Snape's character, and all he'd been through.
@Jules, I do await the moment Lily realizes she doesn't love him... but I would also really love to read about when Snape first conjures his doe patronus. I know you would write it absolutely amazingly!
I don't understand why anyone could hate Remus. It's unfathomable! :O
Btw, I totally love reading all the comments on the blog entries! It's really fun! I wish my friends in real life would discuss Harry Potter to this extent with me xD
Yeah, I really dislike Snape as well. I mean, I feel bad for him, because he had a terrible life, and I love his character, because it has so much depth, but as a person... He made bad mistakes and even worse choices, and he paid for them. Aside from that, though, he's very bitter and holds too many grudges. And sure, he was in love with Lily, but being in love with someone doesn't make you a better person. Nor does helping the son of the person you loved... Had the circumstances been different, and Snape was in love with Narcissa, for example, he would have been helping Draco all along, and would that make him a good person?
I'm rambling. I don't know if that made any sense. But if it did, that's why I don't like Snape.
LUCKY! Many of my friends have read Harry Potter, but whenever I start to rant about something HP related, they're like, "Dude. Calm down. It's just a book." :O It is DEFINITELY not just a book.
I can TOTALLY relate. i have one friend who is really into Harry Potter, but i still don't feel comfortable bringing up fanfiction or wizard rock with her. I don't feel like we've reached that point (haha just thought of AVPM) Everyone else just doesn't get it. So it's really nice to let my inner geek out here and just gush about my love for all things Harry Potter. So, thank you :)
Lindsay- They cast someone for older Lupin so unless they cut his scene, he'll be in the epilogue :)
Regarding Snape...
*deep sigh* Here we go...
I agree with both Lindsay and silver_thunderbird. I used to HATE him prior to DH and even some time after but then it dwindled down to dislike. See, I recognize he died a brave person and he did spend his whole life attempting to redeem himself. Yeah, he risked his life to protect Harry. Yeah, yeah.
BUT what a lot of people fail (or don't want) to see is that it was all selfish. His love for Lily made him selfish. When he went to Dumbledore, begging him to protect her from Voldemort, he did so disregarding Harry and James. Who cared if they died as long as the love of HIS life would be spared. He only conceded to them being protected in exchange for his services because Dumbledore made it a condition. And then when he asked Voldemort to spare her, of course he never asked him to spare James (as if!). So long as Lily was alive. And even if Voldemort HAD spared her, he didn't even pause to think that she would be miserable, and in some sense, dead on her feet, without James and Harry. No, that was irrelevant as long as HE had the love of his life by his side. You could even argue that his assent to protect Harry was solely for Lily and the guilt/grief he felt because of her death (it certainly WASN'T because he cared to for the child).
And THEN he is an absolute wanker to Harry since the moment he first saw him. And all for reasons Harry didn't even KNOW about, let alone have any control over.
Don't get me wrong. I feel really sorry for Snape. I do acknowledge that his story was really tragic and my dislike doesn't diminish that. But just as undeniable is the fact that despite all the good he did, he was still an asshole.
And my blood boils just at the thought that Harry named a child after HIM-- out of ALL the people that died and helped him in his fight against LV, he had to name that poor child after HIM.
And with that, I will shut up on the subject lest we start a war on this blog post :-)
Yeah. Snape did a lot of things that were good. He was also DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF BOTH OF HARRY'S PARENTS BECAUSE HE RELAYED THE PROPHECY TO VOLDEMORT. He is a redeemed character, no doubt, but Harry completely disrespected his dead parents by naming a son after him.
Ok... I really feel the need to post my argument with my cousin on here... i call it snape is a creeper. (it was written at like 2am the night before Part 1 opened) It was over facebook and my roommate told me no one should ever leave a comment that long... but here it goes.
Harry I hate you because I have this secret desire to be your dad. I wanted Lily Evans to love me so I decided to join a group that was dedicated to killing off her kind,even though she was supposedly my best friend and true love. So when I finally pushed her too far she gave up on me and eventually fell for my mortal enemy (as in the guy who was a jerk to me forever but saved my life anyways).
But I still loved your mom Harry, so when I found out that the information that I gave to Voldemort he was using to kill you and your family I begged for him to kill just you and your dad, that way your mom would come crawling back to me. Even though I was technically the reason the ones she loved died. Voldemort ended up killing my love anyways so I was pissed and turned to Dumbledore who promised me that he and I together would keep the only part of Lily Evans safe.
So ten years after she died you came to Hogwarts and you were a constant reminder that even though Lily Evans was your mom, James Potter was you dad. So I picked on you like your dad picked on me when I was in school(after all isn't that the best revenge), except you were still a little boy and I was a grown man so we were TOTALLY on an even playing field. But the entire time you were at school all I thought about was your dead mom, (like that's not creepy) who is dead because of MY actions. So I kept being a spy for Dumbledore to keep feeding him information on Voldemort and when I finally die at the hands of Voldemort all I want to see is Lily Evans so I grab you and stare into your eyes while spewing the only important memories that I have (how I was your mom's friend and was totally in love with her but screwed her over anyways).
I Severus Snape am the biggest creeper that was ever breathed.
I do have a little bit of sympathy for Snape, though, in that he was completely manipulated and used by Dumbledore, whose plan was pretty much: "Harry def. has to die, but fingers crossed he won't stay dead."
Lol, I'm not a major Dumbledore basher, but I'm also no great Mr. Weasley lover, and I still think Ginny should've gotten an "Arthur" before Harry got to name YET ANOTHER child. Also, how in hell did Ginny feel about naming a kid after Snape? I mean, it's kind of implied he wasn't a sweetheart to her, Neville, and Luna during their sixth year (book 7). Is Harry an abusive and oppressive husband? IS THAT WHAT WERE SUPPOSED TO GATHER FROM THE EPILOGUE?!?!?!
Prolly not.
Fucking hell, I'm on the child-naming rant. I'd better hop of quick.
@Jules: HAHAHA Abusive Harry! Oh wow. I think they should have at least put in like a Fred/Arthur/ HAGRID. I just hated that entire generation's names (except Teddy and Victorie).
Or maybe they could pull a Ron/Hermione and COME UP WITH THEIR OWN DAMN NAMES!!!! Haha. Sorry. I just think they went a LITTLE overboard with the naming kids after dead ppl thing. Even if it was in honor of them blah blah blah.
Fred is George's sons name, which is fine, although, if I had it my way, EVERYONE WOULD NAME AT LEAST ONE KID 'FRED.' I also like the Ron/Hermione route of just giving the kids their own freaking names.
@Jules: I totally agree everyone should be honoring Fred. @chubbypotato: :) thanks and in general yes new names would have been ideal but if she felt the need to honor people she could have chosen better. I thought it was weird that Lily's middle name was Luna... she is still alive.
"You can stop with this Dark King stuff. I watch you wipe your butt daily. You can call me Voldemort, we're there. We've reached that point."
:-))
Oh, I agree with Harry's sucky husband ways. Honestly, who had the kids? Not him, that's for sure. If I had to go through giving birth to 3 bloody children, I would like the chance to give them freaking NAMES rather than add in a Luna at the end of Lily.
^ This is the kid who's playing him. I personally think they made a great choice, he's adorable.
Oh, and on the names thing... Abus Severus is one of the biggest insults ever. And don't get me started on the speech about Snape being the "bravest man he knew".
@silver_thunderbird: Yeh, I want to name my kid with the middle name Sirius, JUST so this conversation can play out:
RandomTeacher: Darren SIRIUS Criss the 2nd, what have you done? D.S.Cthe2nd: I glued your stapler to your desk! RT: My oh my, would it KILL you to be serious once in awhile? D.S.Cthe2nd: HEY! Serious is my middle name!
Okay, so I started the Snape is love debate... and then went to bed. I feel like I need to balance all the Snape-hatred out, though, so here goes.
Snape was evil. I know this. While at Hogwarts, he befriended juniour DEs even though they probably called Lily mudblood and may have hexed her at some point or other (how Lily managed to stay friends with him at first, I don't know. Trying to relate this to real life - say I was Jewish/Asian/black etc. and my best friend was hanging out with neo-Nazis, would I stay friends with this person?). We also know that he called other muggleborns (specifically Mary MacDonald) a mudblood while he was still friends with Lily. He was interested in truly disgusting and sick things. AND he had the nerve to talk down James Potter for being arrogant and sneaking around - he has a million faults (reaching epic proportions) of his own, but he bitches about James' arrogance when James saved his life. Talk about ingratitude.
And then he joined the DEs and doubtless killed several people, and probably tried his sick inventions on them. Even when he came over to the Light Side, it was with an ulterior motive. He never did anything out of the goodness of his own heart, but all because he didn't want Lily to die. Even after she died, he never gave a shit about anyone or anything other than maintaining the one part of Lily that was left in the world. And even then he hated Harry - for reasons that were totally not his fault; I mean, it's not Harry's fault that he was conceived, is it? And even more than his horrible behaviour to Harry, I am disgusted with the way he treated Neville - that was truly unforgiveable. Okay, it's not Harry's fault that he exists, but atleast I get it; but Neville? Neville is probably the most innocent, kindest, softest and most vulnerable and fragile person in the whole series (initially, anyhow), and the way Snape, his TEACHER, bullied him is just... awful and inexplicable. If Snape had been my teacher and treated me the way he had treated Neville I would have gotten his arse fired.
And I totally agree with silver_thunderbird. If he wasn't in love with Lily, he wouldn't have done ANYTHING good. Had Lily been a DE herself (and, er, not muggleborn) or had he fallen in love with someone on the Dark Side, then he would ahve carried on as he was. He would have probably carried on in his evil ways and killed more people and such.
Snape is evil. I am not denying that.
BUT... he DID love Lily. And all the things he did, okay, they may have been for ultimately selfish reasons, but he still did an awful lot, didn't he? He devoted many years of his life, first for Lily's safety, and then for her memory. He put himself in the very heart of the war where he could have died a million times. AND Harry's safety was never even guaranteed; Snape knew that all his effort, all those years of his life, all the risks he took might have been in vein, but he still did them, didn't he?
Honestly, would I have done that? Even if it was for someone I loved? Doubtless I would have (maybe) had the intention of doing all that, but would have I been able to see it through? My nerves would have probably overtaken me and I would have given myself away in the process and gotten myself killed. It's impressive that Snape managed to keep at it though, right? His strength and courage do have to be admired. Even the Snape-haters have got to admit this.
And, really, don't you think it's a bit astonishing that he stayed in love with Lily all that time? It had been about twenty years since their friendship (which, may I point out, only actually lasted six or seven years) had ended; he likely had very little contact with her the rest of her life, and then she was dead for sixteen years... and yet he still loved her, he was willing to sacrifice everything for his love for her. For a love that was never actually returned.
(Carrying on from previous post (apparently it was too long))
Am I the only person who finds it romantic that his love for her didn't even dim slightly after all those years? Even after she married his enemy?
And let's not forget that even though he was evil, his love for Lily overrode his obsession with the Dark Arts, his ambition, his hatred for muggles etc. and he have up so much JUST for that ONE REASON.
He spent his entire life full of regret and sadness and ugh he was probably depressed. I would be. When I think of that, I want to jump into the books and hug him (you know, after he's had a shower).
Am I the only one who thinks it's sad and romantic? Please tell me I've swayed someone...
-- Lou Oh, and by the way, looking back, I absolutely l-o-v-e the way he treated Peter. Makes sense, doesn;t it?)
(This post is ridiculously long. Shutting up now.)
Oh, and just thought I'd add - even I don't get why Harry named his son after him. That's just weird.
I agree: Snape's story is sad and romantic. And I have said all along that I'm very sympathetic to Snape. I probably would like him a lot more if not for the epilogue, because I think he's a cool character, no doubt. He was brave, he put himself in danger, and ultimately he made the right decision (letting Harry die) even though it wasn't really what he wanted (and, lets face it, he didn't have much choice at that point). But taking the fall for Dumbledore's death and playing double agent all that time could not have been easy, so props.
My big Snape issue, though, is that as much as his love for Lily transcended his love of the dark arts and his desire for power or whatever, it did not do so until AFTER Lily died. Sure, he asked Voldemort to spare Lily, which was probably pretty bold, but did he honestly think that would work? And he didn't physically try to stop Voldemort, which would have been stupid and ended in his death, but it really was his only option if he actually wanted to save Lily. IDK, I feel like Snape's double-agent-y-ness--awesome as it was--stemmed from guilt. He loved Lily when she was alive, but it wasn't enough for him to actually be a good person until he felt really about about getting her killed. And yes it was noble, but not as noble as it could have been, and NOT THIRD SON MIDDLE NAME NOBLE.
Can I just add, that Snape totally does not want a fucking Potter named after him. You know he's in the after life, sitting there, like: "Are you fucking kidding me, Potter? Don't name a son after me. Don't you... no... no... fucking hell, you just named your kid after me. James Potter's grandchild has my name. SHIT. I did not DIE so that James Potter's grandchild could have my name!"
Poor Snape. And I do love Alan Rickman so. The only times I'll really go on the offensive against Snape is when people try to get me to hate James... or the Albus Severus thing. The Albus Severus thing gets to me. NO ONE understands that.
(My little brother finished the seventh book yesterday afternoon. He walks in, puts the book on the shelf and just looks at me and deadpans: "Albus Severus? Really?" LOVE IT.)
Okay, so I'm way way waaay late, but, er, yeah wanted to add my two sickles.
Remus is Hot. The whole werewolf thing? Total turn-on.
Okay, jokes. But, seriously, I think he's wonderful. I hadn't actually thought about the whole "Where was he the first thirteen years of Harry's life?" until I read chubbypotatos comments, but honestly, what did Remus have to offer Harry? Absolutely nothing. And he wasn't to know how Harry was being neglected. It's possible that he had never met Petunia, so he didn't know what she was like; he might have thought that she would be keeping James/Lily's memories alive.
And honestly, Remus had enough on his plate. The whole looking for a job, and trying to get money to keep above board was obviously an issue. If he KNEW the way Harry was being treated, I'm sure he would have done more, but without knowing, he really had enough porblems of his own to deal with.
And afterwards, when he did know that Harry needed him, didn't he make himself available?
As for Remus/Tonks, I prefer the Remus/Tonks-in-my-head than the Remus/Tonks in the books. It wasn't particularly well done, but I like them together. In my head, that is.
Oh and I want to join in on the Snape thing as well: I didn't need swaying. Half of me despises the things Snape did and the way he treated people, but the other half of me is fascinated with him, especially his relationship with Lily. I've tried looking for fanfics about their friendship or the unrequited love, but I've had a very hard time doing so. Most of the ones I find almost always involve Snape and Lily jumping each others' bones, and then I have to be sick. While I don't hate Snape, I am repulsed, literally SICKENED by the idea of something actually happening between the two of them.
Why do people have such a hard time understanding the term 'unrequited love'?
Anyhoo, I don't hate Snape. Yes he was a horrible person, but he paid for his mistakes and spent his life trying to undo his wrongs. Didn't he tell Phineas off for saying 'mudblood'? Clearly, he learnt his lesson.
And you've got to feel sorry for him. Not just the Lily thing. His whole childhood as well. He was abused at home; it is implied that he was beaten, and he was most definitely neglected. He seemed to go through his entire childhood with no love or affection, only his friendship with Lily.
And no wonder he couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts. No doubt when he had thought of Hogwarts, he had probably built it up to be a wonderful place in his head, where he would fit in and be liked. But that wasn't the case. He was bullied by the marauders, from what we've seen, excepting Lily, he didn't have many friends (it's evident that he didn't become friends with Avery and Mulciber until fifth year), he probably spent the first five years worrying over losing Lily, what with her being so popular and admired, and no doubt he felt overlooked and ignored in general.
Yes I know that doesn't excuse his life choices - many people have overcome worse - but it does go some way to show WHY he made the choices he did. Finally feeling a part of something, finally feeling appreciated...
And I understand why he would hate muggles growing up (IF he actually hated them... I don't believe it was actually revealed one way or the other), if his dad was the only muggle he knew.
I'm not romanticisng Snape at all or making excuses for his actions. I think he was selfish, horrible, and in the beginning he was a coward. But I do feel a degree of sympathy for him. And he has funny lines - no-one can deny that.
Totally agree, Jules - SO not worth naming his kid after.
Oooh yay! Some non-Snape haters! I'm feeling much better now :)
But toatlly agree with every single fault that can be found in Snape. BUT I still think that he went a fair way in redeeming himself.
Lol @ the middle name thing - honestly it's ridiculous, but the whole epilogue is ridiculous. DH would have been better without an epilogue at all, and as such, I prentend it doesn't actually exist. So the names - not just Albus Severus (which by the way, is the right name to give a chilf if you want them to be bullied), but ALL of them (Scorpius is even worse) - I can ignore. I just pretend none of it happened.
And I do get pissed off with James-bashing. Whatever faults James had, Snape had way way way more. Snape killed people and was partly responsible for James and Lily's death. James, on the other hand, never killed anyone (as far as we know), protected and maybe saved lives while working for the Order, and sacrfiiced himself for his wife and child. And he was sexy.
James pwns Snape. No competition. But, yeah I still like Snape. Not as much as James, but the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. That was really my point in the very very beginning. :p
@ Nia: I totally undersatnd what you're saying about being repulsed when Snape and Lily randomly get it on in fics. I hate it. While I think his love for her was beautiful and wondeful (even if initially it wasn't enough), I really don't like the diea of Lily loving him back that way. And there's absolutely nothing in the books that implied she did.
@Jules: Why thank you. I want to adopt pre-Hogwarts Snape and feed him.
@Lou: There's nothing - NOTHING! - I hate more when I'm reading a fic and suddenly Lily and Snape are shagging (*BARFS*), or even if there is MENTION of them having done so before. It's not right. I click away soon as it happens, but the memory stays with me. I wish I could erase the memory of ever having clicked on those stories. I wish I could obliviate myself.
@Lou: Definitely agree about the epilogue--I mean, what did it even add, really? Oh, surprise, no one else randomly died after Voldy was defeated? Well, assumed that one. And I think the whole "I've had enough trouble to last a lifetime" was a much stronger ending than, "sweet, my scar doesn't hurt anymore."
Aren't there easier ways to do that? Couldn't she just have ended the book the way she did, and then, rather than have the "19 years later" part, just have a page that says, "Btw, Teddy was totally fine. He hooks up with Victoire. Go write your fanfiction."
Just for clarification purposes, I am the Anonymous who wishes for the background music in life (and who doesn't have an iPod to pretend with). Let's call me...Elena. That's a good Spanish name.
I missed quite a bit, so I might be bringing up old topics, but...
Here's the thing about these characters: they're all so incredibly HUMAN. Snape, Remus, etc., they all have their problems. I love Remus, I do. But he was depressed the whole time. I don't think bonding with Harry or finding out Sirius was innocent is going to change that. The one time I can remember him being genuinely happy (before the Resurrection Stone scene, that is) is when Teddy has just been born. Other than that, he is an impoverished, lonely, depressed werewolf who doesn't have a whole lot to live for. I don't know how anyone can hate him.
Snape. Everyone knows a Snape, don't they? I know quite a few. The kinds of people who only learn by making mistakes? He was alone, guys, and bitter. He didn't care what other people thought of him (as an adult), and he didn't care about making people feel good. But that doesn't mean he's the epitome of evil. He went through a lot of shit throughout his life, as all the truly interesting people do, and he grew as a person.
Yes, he was selfish, incredibly so, to the point where you really do wonder if he can be human. Everything he does seems to be for an ulterior motive. Approaching Dumbledore to request the protection of Lily (and by extension, Harry and James), was definitely selfish, and when he says "I wish I were dead" when he hears of Lily's death is also quite selfish. But he grows as a person after that. He listens to Dumbledore and does as instructed for YEARS and stays in love with Lily for YEARS (although I really don't know what kind of love that was; how could he even truly know her after so long? I assume she changes and grows as a person too..or at least that's how Jules writes it. But I'm beginning to consider LaT the real story behind it all anyway...)He says it's all for her, and that he has no attachment to Harry, but he's lonely. Protecting Harry has been his purpose in life for too long. Even if he really does hate Harry himself, he doesn't want to lose him, because then his life really would be without meaning.
Snape is mean. He's a bully. But really, does he know how to be anything else? Can we truly hate him considering everything? Sure, he's an asshole to Neville, which really pisses me off, but when Dumbledore tells him that he must be the one to kill him, Snape can't accept it. This could be, again, because no one knows Snape like Dumbledore does, and he doesn't want to lose that. But when Dumbledore asks how many people Snape has watched die (chills!!!) Snape responds, "Lately, only those who I could not save." Sounds like being the bully is just a persona, an image, if you will, sort of like James before he grew up.
You gotta hand Snape his props: he had a shit life. I'm not going to reiterate some of the arguments stated above, because that would be pointless, but I agree. (Especially with the hugs for pre-Hogwarts Snape) Snape is the most complicated character in the HP series, I think, so you can hate him if you want to, but just know that there are people out there like Snape who need life and love too, even though they don't know what the tactful way of getting it is.
I feel for Snape..Think about it..the stupid choices he made when he was ages 14-20 changed his life and made him miserable forever.
But that does not mean Harry gets to name his kid Severus. Ew.
I just had the most brilliant argument defending Snape and everyone else in the world, but it was too large and now it's lost forever. Fuck.
Give Snape a chance, guys. I'm not spending another 40 minutes typing his defense.
I think everyone should just read The Prince's Tale again and then think about the Snapes in their own lives.
(Anonymous who wants life to have a soundtrack and who doesn't have an iPod with which I can pretend. Let's call me Elena. That's a good Spanish name.)
Them are fighting words, Donna.
ReplyDeleteAnd SCORE! Hopefully the update is up before I leave for SanFran where, for some weird reason, there won't be any WiFi readily available to me.
Hope you're well!
-Bree
SF! SF is my bff! Give it a big hug for me, as I'm northward with la familia at the mo.
ReplyDeleteI love going to SF. I will never forget the mini heart attack I got the first time I got on the train and they told me we were going underwater (I actually thought the train was like, you know, going to dive into the water... I was young!)
ReplyDeleteomglol!
ReplyDeleteI will give SF your love. I am also going with the family which is why there will be no WiFi. I mean, there will be but I won't be able to use it unless I want my mother to kill me with a single look. But little does she know, FF.net has a mobile site now >:)
ReplyDeletePS. Whenever someone says "but little does he/she know..." I feel like Morgan Freeman is narrating someone's life.
Yay for updates!!! I really like that song. I'd never heard it before. Have fun in SF Bree!!! I will miss you on tumblr and here if you aren't able to post!
ReplyDeleteLindsay- I will find a way to post on Tumblr. People need to know how I ~feel all the time, dammit.
ReplyDeletein gif form :)
ReplyDeleteps i don't know if you saw it but i posted a prediction on the questions, questions, questions post.... tell me what you think (anyone). (i just posted it today)
ReplyDeletehttp://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldbt1iK8061qzam3p.gif
ReplyDeleteExactly, Lindsay!
Okay, let me go check.
Oh, yes! I wanted to comment on that. Rather insightful. And that's all I'm saying =P
ReplyDelete@Bree: you should know that El Nino is going crazy in the SF Bay Area. There was a lightening / thunder / hail storm tonight. So... bring your umbrella!
ReplyDeleteLindsay, Okay I commented over there but let me repost my comment here: "Lindsay! I've been thinking about that dream, too. Didn't Jules say somewhere that there was a chapter called The Third Letter? Like Ch45 or something? "
ReplyDelete@kneelb4todd- Balls. And we're driving up there, too. Damn, another reason why I don't really want to go.
It's fucking bipolar weather. I'm like 50 miles out, and this morning it was pouring, then it was warm and sunny, then it started hailing, and then it got sunny again.
ReplyDeleteBut you can go ice skating in union square! That's always fun =P
Yeah, I carry boots and flip-flops in my car just in case.
ReplyDeleteConfession time: I am scared of ice skating. Blades make me uneasy. I'm such a little bitch, I know.
Off topic but amusing as fuck, so I'll post it here anyway. Staganddoe just left the most epic review of all time.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fanfiction.net/r/5200789/
@Bree thats why I posted it under that one... that is one of the spoilers for that post. And I'm thinking Jules likes to foreshadow.
ReplyDeleteAND OH EM GEE THAT MADE ME LAUGH!!!!!
ahahahaha
ReplyDelete>.<
please don't actually write it like that. that would be so sad to read.
LOL, no, I know. It was just really funny =P
ReplyDeleteYay almost update! Tuesday would be fabulous! Any chance we'll get ch 29 before the new year? :)
ReplyDeleteI love My Terrible Friend! And Julia Nunes :)
ReplyDelete@Bree's third post: I wish Morgan Freeman would narrate my life. That would be totally epic. Also, I sometimes sort of wish my life were a muscial, where people would just burst into random dance and song (and, you know, not just b/c they're crazy or something). It would just make life that much better, right?
ReplyDeleteAnd that review made me LOL.
@silver_thunderbird--and Nataly Dawn. She's my hero. I flipped out when I saw Pomplamoose on a car commercial.
ReplyDelete@Kelsey, I've been wanting my life to be a musical since I was about four. Fred and Ginger majorly inspired me. And "Glee" has only fed my delusion that it might some day be possible. I'm thinking a musical narrated by Morgan Freeman would be the ultimate life to have.
**flipped out in a good way. I like cars <3
ReplyDeleteThey were in a car commercial?!?!?
ReplyDeleteMUST SEE NOW.
@Jules @Kelsey
ReplyDeleteOh Glee. I think it would be terrific to have a band that just followed me around everywhere I went, so that, if I ever felt the need to, I could burst into song and have music in the background. Wouldn't that be awesome??
-Sara
Life really should have a soundtrack...whenever you're feeling particularly emotional, inspiring piano music would just start playing in the background....you would always know when bad things were about to happen to you because the music would get scary...and you'll know when you're about to die because the music would get really dramatic....Life would be CRAZY.
ReplyDeleteI pretend with my iPod.
ReplyDeleteI would really love an update soon..
ReplyDeleteI just found out that my parents are getting a divorce so..would love to have something I know would make me feel better for a little bit.
@Kelsey- OMG, your comment reminded me about those people who used to go into libraries and lectures at universities and randomly begin a musical number. Look at these legends!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SwhzFsuvQc
*sigh* If only I had the guts...and Rachel Berry's talent, I would so do it.
@Jules- A musical life narrated by Morgan Freeman? WANT.
@Anonymous- I wish that Pokemon battle music would play when I encountered someone I don't like.
And speaking of iPods...Every time I walk in the streets listening to my iPod, I pretend I'm in a music video. I can't be the only one....right?
@bree
ReplyDeleteI do that too!! I'm not the only crazy one! lol. Also, sometimes I'll pretend my life is a movie or tv show (Ã la The Truman Show).
Sara
@Anonymous 2:49--so so sorry, hon. I will do everything in my power to update tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Bree--just went on your tumblr and saw the defense of James Potter. High five, girl. JamesBashers for the loss.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous- I'm sorry to hear about your parents.
ReplyDelete@Sara- Yay! At least we're not alone in this lol. I sometimes pretend I'm in an episode of Supernatural. This is especially true when lights start flickering and it gets really cold. I just tell myself a ring of salt will protect me and that the Winchester boys will be along soon.
@Jules- *high five* You've got no idea how many times I've had to defend him. It's gotten to a point where I feel repetitive and yet I can't stop myself when someone bashes him. I feel the overpowering NEED to school these haters.
@bree: My school organized a "caf sing" last year--at dinner there were huge lyrics posted on the walls and when the music started we all sang "Lean on Me" and.....gosh, I can't remember the other song! Something by The Beatles....All You Need is Love? Maybe? Anyway, it was PRETTY much the best moment of my life ;) But that's about as close as I've gotten to something like the link you posted!
ReplyDelete@bree and Lindsay: Can you post links to your tumblr accounts? I think you both have before, but....I'm too lazy to wade back through all the posts on this blog to find them!
@bree- Oh wow I just read your defense. I must admit that I proceeded to reblog it and write a HUGE rant backing you up. if you ever start up this school I think I could help. yes?
ReplyDelete-Sara
Sara, you're on tumblr? What's your link? And yes, together we shall create this school and thwart this ignorance :)
ReplyDeleteYes I am! I actually just made it yesterday.
ReplyDeletehttp://livingsarandipitously.tumblr.com/
Yay! I can't wait to start our school :D
-Sara
ahh james lovers! excellent. are you also remus haters? cuz i am.
ReplyDeleteand it was bullshit that sirius got put at the same level as snape and luna (wtf) in the child naming.
@chubbypotato
ReplyDeleteWhy do you hate Remus?? I love him :) Actually i love all the marauders, minus Peter.
-Sara
Ugh, can we not talk about the child naming? Because I will literally NEVER shut up once you get me started on that. I could probably write a graduate thesis on the naming of Harry's children.
ReplyDeleteAnd I fucking love Remus.
Oh God, Harry's children's names....worst. thing. ever. Seriously, I mean, just THINK about it for TWO seconds, Harry and Ginny, and you will REALIZE that NONE of those names sound right. I mean, Albus Severus Potter? Yeah, that just flows right off the tongue.
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE REMUS too!!!
Speaking of Remus, I found your tumblr, Bree, and the gif of him telling Harry his happy memory is ridiculous made me LOL for like five minutes straight ;) Awesome.
remus and sirius were both supposed to be james's BEST friends in school.
ReplyDeletejames dies.
sirius spends 12yrs rotting in fucking azkaban. he escapes and the FIRST thing he does is go to see harry.
he writes harry constantly WHILE ON THE RUN. actually loves him to the point where molly accuses him of thinking of harry as james.
remus spends 12yrs feeling sorry for himself. never visits harry while he's undergoing child abuse(!) probably on dumbledore's orders, but i don't see that stopping sirius.
ignores his connection with james when he's actually harry's teacher.
reluctantly divulges the connection when he has to.
so, yeah. i don't like remus.
ok sooo this is random but i just listened to the everybody loves me song by one republic..and OH MY GOSH. AHHH!! such a perfect song for james hahaha. and yay! i'm so excited for the next chapter :)
ReplyDeleteWell obviously Sirius is BETTER than Remus. But that doesn't stop Remus from being kickass.
ReplyDeleteAnd Remus generally sees himself as a curse to everyone he knows, so assuming that Dumbledore wanted to keep people away from Harry and that Remus was unaware of Harry's general abuse, it would make sense that he would be obedient and stay away.
ALSO, Remus gets to know Harry as his teacher independent of his relationship with James, because he's trying to maintain professionalism. I don't think that's just an excuse; I genuinely think he doesn't want to favor Harry too much, although, he definitely does.
ALSO, Remus would hardly want to bring up the Marauders, because that would be equally traumatizing for himself and for Harry. Sirius was his best friend, and Remus believes that he is responsible for killing his other two best friends and another good friend... two of whom was Harry's father and mother. That's really not the kind of history lesson you want to bring up with a thirteen-year-old.
ALSO, Remus is obviously flawed (see: Deathly Hallows, Prisoner of Azkaban, Order of the Phoenix...), but that doesn't stop me from lovin' him something fierce =P.
ReplyDeleteSirius is my one true love, of course.
@Sara- I am following you now :D
ReplyDelete@chubbypotato- Aww, I love Remus. And yeah, the naming of Harry's children, just like the James v. Snape debate, is another rant that never ends.
@Kelsey- OMG that picture was quality. Whoever made that is a rock star lol. I feel like a creeper when I ask but am I following you?
Bravo, Jules :)
ReplyDeleteI digress but speaking of the Marauders, did anyone else notice the way they are listed in the map is the reverse order in which they died?
Back to the James-haters thing: why is it that all Snape/Lily shippers are James haters? I am a Lily/James shipper but I positively ADORE Snape, and I think all the things he did for a love that was ultimately unrequited is so romantic and depressing and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNow on to the Remus thing: I honestly didn't know it was possible to hate Remus (unless you are, you know, Snape or Umbridge). I think his story is so sad and tragic, all those years of misery and pain. I can't think of him and not want to jump into the books and give him a bone-crushing hug. I HEART Remus Jonn Lupin. (Was his middle name John? Can't be bothered to check.)
Agree with Jules - he didn't know what Harry was going through. And yes, he didn't help out with Harry, but what could he do? He could barely provide for himself let alone someone else; he probably knew he would be unwelcome at the Dursleys; and he probably (at least, I imagine) felt too ashamed to see him.
Don't diss Remus. Remus is only meant to be loved, not hated.
(The only problem I have with him is HBP onwards - NEVER got the whole Remus/Tonks thing. It makes the mind (at least MY mind) boggle.)
remus didn't need to bring up sirius or peter.
ReplyDeleteharry should be able to talk about his parents to his heart's content, especially to one of the people who knew them best. that entire topic shouldn't be taboo because of why they died or cuz of professionalism.
all i know is that james would turn over in his grave if he knew his son was raised by the durseleys while his (2nd) best-friend couldn't be bothered.
agree to disagree i guess.
Awww, I kinda like Remus/Tonks. I think I just want the boy to be loved. And the idea of Teddy Lupin just makes me go warm and fuzzy inside... considering the kid was mentioned like, twice, I have a ridiculous amount of affection for Teddy Lupin and Teddy/Victoire.
ReplyDelete@bree- totally noticed that and felt like such a nerd.
@Jules: shut-the-fuck-up and finish the chapter.
ReplyDeleteOkay.
(Schizophrenic!Jules ftl)
gosh, i'm outnumbered :/
ReplyDeletei need to find a remus-haters blog to discuss this further.
(last point: i cried during the forest/ resurrection stone scene while wondering why remus was in it at all)
cheers :D
can't wait to read the next chapter.
ReplyDeleteI'm ending this so I don't get violent =P.
ReplyDeleteNew topic. How 'bout that Miley Cyrus?
Oh, and I'm def adding a new Remus scene in the next chapter ;-)
@ Jules 4:37 : Yes, I really want Remus to be happy and loved etc. but it just wasn't remotely belieavable to me. I got the impression (and so have a lot of other readers, although most of those were Remus/Sirius shippers) that Remus wasn't really in love with Tonks... he never actually looked happy with her. Which made me sad, as all I want (for Christmas, hehe) is for Remus to be happy; and cos Tonks seemed ecctatic.
ReplyDelete@Jules 4:39: TOTALLY agree with that. Want LaT, like, yesterday.
@Jules 4:44: Don't get Miley Cyrus the way I don't get Remus/Tonks.
"New topic." LOL I see where Lily gets it :D
ReplyDeleteWell, I started to write a reply about all the Remus stuff, but y'all pretty much said it. Love him. Right. Already said that. Anyway....
ReplyDelete@Bree: No, I don't have a tumblr. Saw that there was a Kelsey on yours though and kind of freaked out. Well, not really. I mean, I'm hardly the only one in the world. But it was a bit weird. Esp that gif of that song "Kelsey"--my friend put it on a mix for me for my b-day this year, but it sort of creeps me out to listen to it, b/c I feel like the guy is stalking me. I'm like, why are you singing to me; I don't know you. haha, totally odd, I know. Also, the map-reverse-dying-order thing--definitely noticed and was amused.
@Anonymous: Yes, John is his middle name. For some reason it amuses me to no end that his middle name is so normal ;)
@Jules: I'm pro Remus/Tonks for the same reasons!
lol @ chubbypotato. Maybe the wrong place to do Remus-bashing? (hint: shush it, don't want to get Jules angry!)
ReplyDeleteWell, apparently it takes me too long to write my posts, and then I'm like already five topics behind, lol.
ReplyDeleteYa, I like Remus/Tonks, but I totally understand not liking Remus/Tonks... just like I understand not liking Harry/Ginny. There's a lot left to the imagination, because JKRs focus was never "the relationships" and some people interpret things differently.
ReplyDelete@bree, lol fuck, you're right.
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteOMG I'm totally imaging myself as Zeus throwing lightning bolts now. This is not good. this is very bad. I need to finish the fucking chapter.
Kelsey- Haha, yeah that must have been me and my friend Kelsey talking about Misfits. And that Metro Station/Kelsey/Horse picture was in my blog because everyone says the lead singer, Trace Cyrus (Miley's brother) looks like a horse. Everyone's always making stupid pictures like that lol. But I can see how the song can freak you out. Although, I wish there was a song named after me...
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous 4:49, i just realised that as well.
ReplyDelete@bree @Jules: Does Lily say "New topic" a lot? Never realised. Clearly I don't know this story off by heart like I thought I did. Must remedy that...
ReplyDeleteall the characters are flawed in some ways, which makes them so real and wonderful. Remus had his faults like everyone.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't admire snape did at all. He was still a terrible person, he only cared about one person, what about all the others he hurt? He was a death eater. The whole Lily/Snape ship makes me vomit lolol. BUUUTT i still love him as a character/appreciate his flaws.
Anonymous 4:54- Yeah, I was rereading and she says that to Snape a lot, lol.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:54 #2- Yeah, at the risk of being shot in the face, Isortofdon'tlikeSnapeverymucheither.
Combining "Remus is flawed but we love him" with Miley Cyrus--"Nobody's Perfect"? haha, sad that I actually referenced a Miley song....
ReplyDelete^ Yes, I can see why people would hate him, but I personally think it was very romantic. And his love for Lily was his only redeeming quality, and he spent his life trying to undo his wrongs with her. He's still a dick (I can get why he behaved that way to Harry, but the stuff he said to Neville was awful), but I can appreciate the tradgedy of his life.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to get to a place where I didn't hate him, but I got there in the end, and somewhere along the lines I started to genuinely like him. Alan Rickman helped with that though.
ALSO speaking of Remus--total lunar eclipse tonight (well, really early tom. morning, actually). First time in 372 years that it's happened on the winter solstice. (this has been history fun facts w/Kelsey)
ReplyDeleteOMG, rare lunar eclipse and TLAT update on the same day? Coincidence?
ReplyDeleteI think not ;)
ReplyDeleteKelsey totally just became the Remus of this conversation by bringing up history fun facts.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Bree, are you saying I only update once every 372 years? ;-)
LOVEEE Remus. <3
ReplyDeleteHate Miley. But not as much as Justin Bieber. xD
*cough*I kinda hate Snape as well*cough*
ReplyDelete@Jules: HAHA awesome, I'll take that as a compliment. That just reminded me of this inside joke my friend and I had about the third HP movie. So, you know how it has all those random Harry/Lupin bonding scenes? Well, we decided Remus should have his own show, called "Life Lessons with Lupin" (brought to you by the Association for the Betterment of Werewolves). Ah, good times ;)
ReplyDeleteNo, that's not what I meant at all, Jules. I... What I meant was... That was just...
ReplyDeletePleasedon'tsmiteme.
GASP
ReplyDeleteI was just reading this and when it came to the Snape part I remembered a question I've been meaning to ask.
At some point in the story, it was revealed that Lily was/believed herself to be in love with Snape. Now, I read LaT super-fast and may have not absorbed bits here and there, so I may have missed it. Does Lily at any specific point in time ever come to the realisation that she isn't in love with Snape, or is it a gradual conclusion?
~ MO
^oooh, yes, good question--I've been meaning to ask that as well!
ReplyDeleteBoth.
ReplyDeleteLol that doesn't make sense right now, but it will.
Isn't there a part before the end of the year where Snape asks her to trust him and Lily realizes she doesn't?
ReplyDeleteI know she's not exactly realizing she doesn't love him but it's a step closer...
Yes! That's the thing. She realises that she doesn't trust him, and that their friendship is already ended and it's not worth trying to salvage etc., but I don't remember her ever mentioning the word 'love' when she was coming to this conclusion, which confused me a trifle.
ReplyDelete~ MO
I think right now, Lily knows she's not in love with him. She's been forced to confront this fact via Snape APPARENTLY not giving a fuck about their relationship (Chapter 23, I believe?) and it was kind of referenced in Chapter 24. But on the whole, it hasn't really been an issue yet, so, in that sense, there will be a more definitive moment when Lily has to be like, "yes, world/self, I don't love him."
ReplyDeleteGood girl, Lily.
ReplyDeleteLol ok. Well, looking forward to that moment - or any moment, really. Any LaT = goodness. Even if I have to read James/Carlotta (Ugh. Though I think I might actually prefer to read Snape/Lily to that. I find Carlotta so repulsive; moreso, even, than Snape). MO
ReplyDelete^ THAT.
ReplyDeleteI missed like everything!!!! Oh well thats what I get for venturing into the outside world...
ReplyDeleteRemus: Love him.
Remus/Tonks: Could have been better developed but still love them.
QUESTION: What are they going to do for the next movie because they never mentioned Teddy. At the very beginning Tonks is about to announce something but then Moody shuts her up. And Teddy NEEEEEEEDS to be apart of the epilogue. That was like the only good part. (NAMES!!!! UGHHH NAMES!!! Btw if you ever want to do a blog post on the names I will gladly rant with you)
Miley: Sounds like a more dangerous topic than Lupin
Snape: Hate him. I can write a thesis on how terrible he really is. All the pity Snape people need to realize he dug his own grave.
Lily doesn't love Snape come to Jesus meeting: sweet. I really hope she tells it to his face.
@Kelsey (and whoever else wants to know) my tumblr is http://zz92.tumblr.com/ (but don't get too excited I'm still new to it and am still figuring it out.
:) Can't wait til the update!!!
I do understand why some people hate Snape. I too, hated him so unbelievably much... but I love his friendship with Lily, and when we find out his life story was one of my favorite parts of the entire HP series.
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose you guys who hate/dislike Snape would give this one fanfic a shot?
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3800204/1/Thirteen_Shades_of_Green
The sequencing and characterization is amazing. (It does follow cannon.)
It's one of my ultimate favorites, and it really made me appreciate Snape's character, and all he'd been through.
@Jules, I do await the moment Lily realizes she doesn't love him... but I would also really love to read about when Snape first conjures his doe patronus. I know you would write it absolutely amazingly!
I don't understand why anyone could hate Remus. It's unfathomable! :O
Btw, I totally love reading all the comments on the blog entries! It's really fun! I wish my friends in real life would discuss Harry Potter to this extent with me xD
I only have one "real" friend who I can talk about HP like this too...... I need some more.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I really dislike Snape as well. I mean, I feel bad for him, because he had a terrible life, and I love his character, because it has so much depth, but as a person... He made bad mistakes and even worse choices, and he paid for them. Aside from that, though, he's very bitter and holds too many grudges. And sure, he was in love with Lily, but being in love with someone doesn't make you a better person. Nor does helping the son of the person you loved... Had the circumstances been different, and Snape was in love with Narcissa, for example, he would have been helping Draco all along, and would that make him a good person?
ReplyDeleteI'm rambling. I don't know if that made any sense. But if it did, that's why I don't like Snape.
Man, you all should come hang out with my friends and I--we have in depth HP discussions all the time! haha
ReplyDeleteLUCKY!
ReplyDeleteMany of my friends have read Harry Potter, but whenever I start to rant about something HP related, they're like, "Dude. Calm down. It's just a book."
:O
It is DEFINITELY not just a book.
I can TOTALLY relate. i have one friend who is really into Harry Potter, but i still don't feel comfortable bringing up fanfiction or wizard rock with her. I don't feel like we've reached that point (haha just thought of AVPM)
ReplyDeleteEveryone else just doesn't get it. So it's really nice to let my inner geek out here and just gush about my love for all things Harry Potter.
So, thank you :)
-Sara
Lindsay- They cast someone for older Lupin so unless they cut his scene, he'll be in the epilogue :)
ReplyDeleteRegarding Snape...
*deep sigh* Here we go...
I agree with both Lindsay and silver_thunderbird. I used to HATE him prior to DH and even some time after but then it dwindled down to dislike. See, I recognize he died a brave person and he did spend his whole life attempting to redeem himself. Yeah, he risked his life to protect Harry. Yeah, yeah.
BUT what a lot of people fail (or don't want) to see is that it was all selfish. His love for Lily made him selfish. When he went to Dumbledore, begging him to protect her from Voldemort, he did so disregarding Harry and James. Who cared if they died as long as the love of HIS life would be spared. He only conceded to them being protected in exchange for his services because Dumbledore made it a condition. And then when he asked Voldemort to spare her, of course he never asked him to spare James (as if!). So long as Lily was alive. And even if Voldemort HAD spared her, he didn't even pause to think that she would be miserable, and in some sense, dead on her feet, without James and Harry. No, that was irrelevant as long as HE had the love of his life by his side. You could even argue that his assent to protect Harry was solely for Lily and the guilt/grief he felt because of her death (it certainly WASN'T because he cared to for the child).
And THEN he is an absolute wanker to Harry since the moment he first saw him. And all for reasons Harry didn't even KNOW about, let alone have any control over.
Don't get me wrong. I feel really sorry for Snape. I do acknowledge that his story was really tragic and my dislike doesn't diminish that. But just as undeniable is the fact that despite all the good he did, he was still an asshole.
And my blood boils just at the thought that Harry named a child after HIM-- out of ALL the people that died and helped him in his fight against LV, he had to name that poor child after HIM.
And with that, I will shut up on the subject lest we start a war on this blog post :-)
Yeah. Snape did a lot of things that were good. He was also DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF BOTH OF HARRY'S PARENTS BECAUSE HE RELAYED THE PROPHECY TO VOLDEMORT. He is a redeemed character, no doubt, but Harry completely disrespected his dead parents by naming a son after him.
ReplyDeleteOk... I really feel the need to post my argument with my cousin on here... i call it snape is a creeper. (it was written at like 2am the night before Part 1 opened) It was over facebook and my roommate told me no one should ever leave a comment that long... but here it goes.
ReplyDeleteHarry I hate you because I have this secret desire to be your dad. I wanted Lily Evans to love me so I decided to join a group that was dedicated to killing off her kind,even though she was supposedly my best friend and true love. So when I finally pushed her too far she gave up on me and eventually fell for my mortal enemy (as in the guy who was a jerk to me forever but saved my life anyways).
But I still loved your mom Harry, so when I found out that the information that I gave to Voldemort he was using to kill you and your family I begged for him to kill just you and your dad, that way your mom would come crawling back to me. Even though I was technically the reason the ones she loved died. Voldemort ended up killing my love anyways so I was pissed and turned to Dumbledore who promised me that he and I together would keep the only part of Lily Evans safe.
So ten years after she died you came to Hogwarts and you were a constant reminder that even though Lily Evans was your mom, James Potter was you dad. So I picked on you like your dad picked on me when I was in school(after all isn't that the best revenge), except you were still a little boy and I was a grown man so we were TOTALLY on an even playing field. But the entire time you were at school all I thought about was your dead mom, (like that's not creepy) who is dead because of MY actions. So I kept being a spy for Dumbledore to keep feeding him information on Voldemort and when I finally die at the hands of Voldemort all I want to see is Lily Evans so I grab you and stare into your eyes while spewing the only important memories that I have (how I was your mom's friend and was totally in love with her but screwed her over anyways).
I Severus Snape am the biggest creeper that was ever breathed.
So yeah bree we are pretty much on the same page
I do have a little bit of sympathy for Snape, though, in that he was completely manipulated and used by Dumbledore, whose plan was pretty much: "Harry def. has to die, but fingers crossed he won't stay dead."
ReplyDeleteLol, I'm not a major Dumbledore basher, but I'm also no great Mr. Weasley lover, and I still think Ginny should've gotten an "Arthur" before Harry got to name YET ANOTHER child.
Also, how in hell did Ginny feel about naming a kid after Snape? I mean, it's kind of implied he wasn't a sweetheart to her, Neville, and Luna during their sixth year (book 7).
Is Harry an abusive and oppressive husband? IS THAT WHAT WERE SUPPOSED TO GATHER FROM THE EPILOGUE?!?!?!
Prolly not.
Fucking hell, I'm on the child-naming rant. I'd better hop of quick.
HARRYS KIDS NAMES!!!
ReplyDelete***must think about something else***
deep breaths.
Albus severus, ALBUS SEREVUS?!?!?!
Don't go near this debate!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGAXg9dDGoA
@Jules: HAHAHA Abusive Harry! Oh wow. I think they should have at least put in like a Fred/Arthur/ HAGRID. I just hated that entire generation's names (except Teddy and Victorie).
ReplyDeleteOr maybe they could pull a Ron/Hermione and COME UP WITH THEIR OWN DAMN NAMES!!!! Haha. Sorry. I just think they went a LITTLE overboard with the naming kids after dead ppl thing. Even if it was in honor of them blah blah blah.
ReplyDeleteFred is George's sons name, which is fine, although, if I had it my way, EVERYONE WOULD NAME AT LEAST ONE KID 'FRED.' I also like the Ron/Hermione route of just giving the kids their own freaking names.
ReplyDelete"Hugo." L-oh-fucking-L
Damn it Kelsey, you beat me.
ReplyDeleteHaha, sorry. I was just going to say, mind meld?
ReplyDeleteVulcan shenanigans
ReplyDeleteor, perhaps...
ReplyDeleteINCEPTION.
lindsay, the snape post had me genuinely laughing out loud.
ReplyDeleteRubeus Potter.
ReplyDeleteOMFG.
@Jules: I totally agree everyone should be honoring Fred.
ReplyDelete@chubbypotato: :) thanks
and in general yes new names would have been ideal but if she felt the need to honor people she could have chosen better. I thought it was weird that Lily's middle name was Luna... she is still alive.
*I meant an older TEDDY was cast for the Epilogue.
ReplyDeleteRubeus Potter?
OMG LOL. Somebody change my FB status to "is dead" because that is what I am.
Ok I was really confused for a second. I REALLY want Teddy in the epilogue I feel like seeing him happy was the best part of whole thing
ReplyDelete@Sara: haha!! AVPM for the win!!
ReplyDelete"You can stop with this Dark King stuff. I watch you wipe your butt daily. You can call me Voldemort, we're there. We've reached that point."
:-))
Oh, I agree with Harry's sucky husband ways. Honestly, who had the kids? Not him, that's for sure. If I had to go through giving birth to 3 bloody children, I would like the chance to give them freaking NAMES rather than add in a Luna at the end of Lily.
-Charlie
@Lindsay Teddy will be in the pilot. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/13300000/Teddy-Lupin-harry-potter-13337630-320-400.jpg
^ This is the kid who's playing him.
I personally think they made a great choice, he's adorable.
Oh, and on the names thing... Abus Severus is one of the biggest insults ever. And don't get me started on the speech about Snape being the "bravest man he knew".
^Aw, he is cute!
ReplyDeleteAlso, (completely random) just going to throw it out there--I want a sonic screwdriver.
Yeah, it was pretty ridiculous when Harry said that Snape was the bravest man he knew... PSH!
ReplyDeleteBut I guess that's a very Harry thing to do, you know?
I do love the name James Sirius, though.
@silver_thunderbird: Yeh, I want to name my kid with the middle name Sirius, JUST so this conversation can play out:
ReplyDeleteRandomTeacher: Darren SIRIUS Criss the 2nd, what have you done?
D.S.Cthe2nd: I glued your stapler to your desk!
RT: My oh my, would it KILL you to be serious once in awhile?
D.S.Cthe2nd: HEY! Serious is my middle name!
:-))
Okay, so I started the Snape is love debate... and then went to bed. I feel like I need to balance all the Snape-hatred out, though, so here goes.
ReplyDeleteSnape was evil. I know this. While at Hogwarts, he befriended juniour DEs even though they probably called Lily mudblood and may have hexed her at some point or other (how Lily managed to stay friends with him at first, I don't know. Trying to relate this to real life - say I was Jewish/Asian/black etc. and my best friend was hanging out with neo-Nazis, would I stay friends with this person?). We also know that he called other muggleborns (specifically Mary MacDonald) a mudblood while he was still friends with Lily. He was interested in truly disgusting and sick things. AND he had the nerve to talk down James Potter for being arrogant and sneaking around - he has a million faults (reaching epic proportions) of his own, but he bitches about James' arrogance when James saved his life. Talk about ingratitude.
And then he joined the DEs and doubtless killed several people, and probably tried his sick inventions on them. Even when he came over to the Light Side, it was with an ulterior motive. He never did anything out of the goodness of his own heart, but all because he didn't want Lily to die. Even after she died, he never gave a shit about anyone or anything other than maintaining the one part of Lily that was left in the world. And even then he hated Harry - for reasons that were totally not his fault; I mean, it's not Harry's fault that he was conceived, is it? And even more than his horrible behaviour to Harry, I am disgusted with the way he treated Neville - that was truly unforgiveable. Okay, it's not Harry's fault that he exists, but atleast I get it; but Neville? Neville is probably the most innocent, kindest, softest and most vulnerable and fragile person in the whole series (initially, anyhow), and the way Snape, his TEACHER, bullied him is just... awful and inexplicable. If Snape had been my teacher and treated me the way he had treated Neville I would have gotten his arse fired.
And I totally agree with silver_thunderbird. If he wasn't in love with Lily, he wouldn't have done ANYTHING good. Had Lily been a DE herself (and, er, not muggleborn) or had he fallen in love with someone on the Dark Side, then he would ahve carried on as he was. He would have probably carried on in his evil ways and killed more people and such.
Snape is evil. I am not denying that.
BUT... he DID love Lily. And all the things he did, okay, they may have been for ultimately selfish reasons, but he still did an awful lot, didn't he? He devoted many years of his life, first for Lily's safety, and then for her memory. He put himself in the very heart of the war where he could have died a million times. AND Harry's safety was never even guaranteed; Snape knew that all his effort, all those years of his life, all the risks he took might have been in vein, but he still did them, didn't he?
Honestly, would I have done that? Even if it was for someone I loved? Doubtless I would have (maybe) had the intention of doing all that, but would have I been able to see it through? My nerves would have probably overtaken me and I would have given myself away in the process and gotten myself killed. It's impressive that Snape managed to keep at it though, right? His strength and courage do have to be admired. Even the Snape-haters have got to admit this.
And, really, don't you think it's a bit astonishing that he stayed in love with Lily all that time? It had been about twenty years since their friendship (which, may I point out, only actually lasted six or seven years) had ended; he likely had very little contact with her the rest of her life, and then she was dead for sixteen years... and yet he still loved her, he was willing to sacrifice everything for his love for her. For a love that was never actually returned.
(Carrying on from previous post (apparently it was too long))
ReplyDeleteAm I the only person who finds it romantic that his love for her didn't even dim slightly after all those years? Even after she married his enemy?
And let's not forget that even though he was evil, his love for Lily overrode his obsession with the Dark Arts, his ambition, his hatred for muggles etc. and he have up so much JUST for that ONE REASON.
He spent his entire life full of regret and sadness and ugh he was probably depressed. I would be. When I think of that, I want to jump into the books and hug him (you know, after he's had a shower).
Am I the only one who thinks it's sad and romantic? Please tell me I've swayed someone...
-- Lou
Oh, and by the way, looking back, I absolutely l-o-v-e the way he treated Peter. Makes sense, doesn;t it?)
(This post is ridiculously long. Shutting up now.)
Oh, and just thought I'd add - even I don't get why Harry named his son after him. That's just weird.
Yeah, I agree that his story is sad and romantic... but it doesn't make me like him even a little bit more.
ReplyDeleteReally? This depresses me...
ReplyDeleteI agree: Snape's story is sad and romantic. And I have said all along that I'm very sympathetic to Snape. I probably would like him a lot more if not for the epilogue, because I think he's a cool character, no doubt. He was brave, he put himself in danger, and ultimately he made the right decision (letting Harry die) even though it wasn't really what he wanted (and, lets face it, he didn't have much choice at that point). But taking the fall for Dumbledore's death and playing double agent all that time could not have been easy, so props.
ReplyDeleteMy big Snape issue, though, is that as much as his love for Lily transcended his love of the dark arts and his desire for power or whatever, it did not do so until AFTER Lily died. Sure, he asked Voldemort to spare Lily, which was probably pretty bold, but did he honestly think that would work? And he didn't physically try to stop Voldemort, which would have been stupid and ended in his death, but it really was his only option if he actually wanted to save Lily. IDK, I feel like Snape's double-agent-y-ness--awesome as it was--stemmed from guilt. He loved Lily when she was alive, but it wasn't enough for him to actually be a good person until he felt really about about getting her killed. And yes it was noble, but not as noble as it could have been, and NOT THIRD SON MIDDLE NAME NOBLE.
Can I just add, that Snape totally does not want a fucking Potter named after him. You know he's in the after life, sitting there, like: "Are you fucking kidding me, Potter? Don't name a son after me. Don't you... no... no... fucking hell, you just named your kid after me. James Potter's grandchild has my name. SHIT. I did not DIE so that James Potter's grandchild could have my name!"
Poor Snape. And I do love Alan Rickman so. The only times I'll really go on the offensive against Snape is when people try to get me to hate James... or the Albus Severus thing. The Albus Severus thing gets to me. NO ONE understands that.
(My little brother finished the seventh book yesterday afternoon. He walks in, puts the book on the shelf and just looks at me and deadpans: "Albus Severus? Really?" LOVE IT.)
**correction, SECOND SON MIDDLE NAME.
ReplyDeleteand.
ReplyDeletedumbledore has tons of shit named after him.
sirius's legacy lives on...in a middle name...
Okay, so I'm way way waaay late, but, er, yeah wanted to add my two sickles.
ReplyDeleteRemus is Hot. The whole werewolf thing? Total turn-on.
Okay, jokes. But, seriously, I think he's wonderful. I hadn't actually thought about the whole "Where was he the first thirteen years of Harry's life?" until I read chubbypotatos comments, but honestly, what did Remus have to offer Harry? Absolutely nothing. And he wasn't to know how Harry was being neglected. It's possible that he had never met Petunia, so he didn't know what she was like; he might have thought that she would be keeping James/Lily's memories alive.
And honestly, Remus had enough on his plate. The whole looking for a job, and trying to get money to keep above board was obviously an issue. If he KNEW the way Harry was being treated, I'm sure he would have done more, but without knowing, he really had enough porblems of his own to deal with.
And afterwards, when he did know that Harry needed him, didn't he make himself available?
As for Remus/Tonks, I prefer the Remus/Tonks-in-my-head than the Remus/Tonks in the books. It wasn't particularly well done, but I like them together. In my head, that is.
Oh and I want to join in on the Snape thing as well: I didn't need swaying. Half of me despises the things Snape did and the way he treated people, but the other half of me is fascinated with him, especially his relationship with Lily. I've tried looking for fanfics about their friendship or the unrequited love, but I've had a very hard time doing so. Most of the ones I find almost always involve Snape and Lily jumping each others' bones, and then I have to be sick. While I don't hate Snape, I am repulsed, literally SICKENED by the idea of something actually happening between the two of them.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people have such a hard time understanding the term 'unrequited love'?
Anyhoo, I don't hate Snape. Yes he was a horrible person, but he paid for his mistakes and spent his life trying to undo his wrongs. Didn't he tell Phineas off for saying 'mudblood'? Clearly, he learnt his lesson.
And you've got to feel sorry for him. Not just the Lily thing. His whole childhood as well. He was abused at home; it is implied that he was beaten, and he was most definitely neglected. He seemed to go through his entire childhood with no love or affection, only his friendship with Lily.
And no wonder he couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts. No doubt when he had thought of Hogwarts, he had probably built it up to be a wonderful place in his head, where he would fit in and be liked. But that wasn't the case. He was bullied by the marauders, from what we've seen, excepting Lily, he didn't have many friends (it's evident that he didn't become friends with Avery and Mulciber until fifth year), he probably spent the first five years worrying over losing Lily, what with her being so popular and admired, and no doubt he felt overlooked and ignored in general.
Yes I know that doesn't excuse his life choices - many people have overcome worse - but it does go some way to show WHY he made the choices he did. Finally feeling a part of something, finally feeling appreciated...
And I understand why he would hate muggles growing up (IF he actually hated them... I don't believe it was actually revealed one way or the other), if his dad was the only muggle he knew.
I'm not romanticisng Snape at all or making excuses for his actions. I think he was selfish, horrible, and in the beginning he was a coward. But I do feel a degree of sympathy for him. And he has funny lines - no-one can deny that.
Totally agree, Jules - SO not worth naming his kid after.
~ Nia
Well said, Nia. All of it. And I do want to give little, pre-Hogwarts Snape a hug.
ReplyDeleteBut I do love the AVPM Snape.
ReplyDeleteWhat the DEVIL is going on heeerrreee?
"The Albus Severus thing gets to me. NO ONE understands that."
ReplyDeleteI understand.
Oooh yay! Some non-Snape haters! I'm feeling much better now :)
ReplyDeleteBut toatlly agree with every single fault that can be found in Snape. BUT I still think that he went a fair way in redeeming himself.
Lol @ the middle name thing - honestly it's ridiculous, but the whole epilogue is ridiculous. DH would have been better without an epilogue at all, and as such, I prentend it doesn't actually exist. So the names - not just Albus Severus (which by the way, is the right name to give a chilf if you want them to be bullied), but ALL of them (Scorpius is even worse) - I can ignore. I just pretend none of it happened.
And I do get pissed off with James-bashing. Whatever faults James had, Snape had way way way more. Snape killed people and was partly responsible for James and Lily's death. James, on the other hand, never killed anyone (as far as we know), protected and maybe saved lives while working for the Order, and sacrfiiced himself for his wife and child. And he was sexy.
James pwns Snape. No competition. But, yeah I still like Snape. Not as much as James, but the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. That was really my point in the very very beginning. :p
-- Lou
@ Nia: I totally undersatnd what you're saying about being repulsed when Snape and Lily randomly get it on in fics. I hate it. While I think his love for her was beautiful and wondeful (even if initially it wasn't enough), I really don't like the diea of Lily loving him back that way. And there's absolutely nothing in the books that implied she did.
ReplyDeleteLily/James all the way.
--Lou
@Jules: Why thank you.
ReplyDeleteI want to adopt pre-Hogwarts Snape and feed him.
@Lou: There's nothing - NOTHING! - I hate more when I'm reading a fic and suddenly Lily and Snape are shagging (*BARFS*), or even if there is MENTION of them having done so before. It's not right. I click away soon as it happens, but the memory stays with me. I wish I could erase the memory of ever having clicked on those stories. I wish I could obliviate myself.
Nia
@Lou: Definitely agree about the epilogue--I mean, what did it even add, really? Oh, surprise, no one else randomly died after Voldy was defeated? Well, assumed that one. And I think the whole "I've had enough trouble to last a lifetime" was a much stronger ending than, "sweet, my scar doesn't hurt anymore."
ReplyDelete^ Precisely.
ReplyDeleteDidn't JK say one of the biggest reasons she wrote the epilogue was to show that Teddy was OK?
ReplyDeleteAren't there easier ways to do that? Couldn't she just have ended the book the way she did, and then, rather than have the "19 years later" part, just have a page that says, "Btw, Teddy was totally fine. He hooks up with Victoire. Go write your fanfiction."
ReplyDelete^ A little A/N, if you will ;)
ReplyDelete^ Yes, Jules (1:36 PM), perfect.
ReplyDeleteJust for clarification purposes, I am the Anonymous who wishes for the background music in life (and who doesn't have an iPod to pretend with). Let's call me...Elena. That's a good Spanish name.
I missed quite a bit, so I might be bringing up old topics, but...
Here's the thing about these characters: they're all so incredibly HUMAN. Snape, Remus, etc., they all have their problems. I love Remus, I do. But he was depressed the whole time. I don't think bonding with Harry or finding out Sirius was innocent is going to change that. The one time I can remember him being genuinely happy (before the Resurrection Stone scene, that is) is when Teddy has just been born. Other than that, he is an impoverished, lonely, depressed werewolf who doesn't have a whole lot to live for. I don't know how anyone can hate him.
Snape. Everyone knows a Snape, don't they? I know quite a few. The kinds of people who only learn by making mistakes? He was alone, guys, and bitter. He didn't care what other people thought of him (as an adult), and he didn't care about making people feel good. But that doesn't mean he's the epitome of evil. He went through a lot of shit throughout his life, as all the truly interesting people do, and he grew as a person.
Yes, he was selfish, incredibly so, to the point where you really do wonder if he can be human. Everything he does seems to be for an ulterior motive. Approaching Dumbledore to request the protection of Lily (and by extension, Harry and James), was definitely selfish, and when he says "I wish I were dead" when he hears of Lily's death is also quite selfish. But he grows as a person after that. He listens to Dumbledore and does as instructed for YEARS and stays in love with Lily for YEARS (although I really don't know what kind of love that was; how could he even truly know her after so long? I assume she changes and grows as a person too..or at least that's how Jules writes it. But I'm beginning to consider LaT the real story behind it all anyway...)He says it's all for her, and that he has no attachment to Harry, but he's lonely. Protecting Harry has been his purpose in life for too long. Even if he really does hate Harry himself, he doesn't want to lose him, because then his life really would be without meaning.
Snape is mean. He's a bully. But really, does he know how to be anything else? Can we truly hate him considering everything? Sure, he's an asshole to Neville, which really pisses me off, but when Dumbledore tells him that he must be the one to kill him, Snape can't accept it. This could be, again, because no one knows Snape like Dumbledore does, and he doesn't want to lose that. But when Dumbledore asks how many people Snape has watched die (chills!!!) Snape responds, "Lately, only those who I could not save." Sounds like being the bully is just a persona, an image, if you will, sort of like James before he grew up.
You gotta hand Snape his props: he had a shit life. I'm not going to reiterate some of the arguments stated above, because that would be pointless, but I agree. (Especially with the hugs for pre-Hogwarts Snape) Snape is the most complicated character in the HP series, I think, so you can hate him if you want to, but just know that there are people out there like Snape who need life and love too, even though they don't know what the tactful way of getting it is.
I feel for Snape..Think about it..the stupid choices he made when he was ages 14-20 changed his life and made him miserable forever.
But that does not mean Harry gets to name his kid Severus. Ew.
I just had the most brilliant argument defending Snape and everyone else in the world, but it was too large and now it's lost forever. Fuck.
ReplyDeleteGive Snape a chance, guys. I'm not spending another 40 minutes typing his defense.
I think everyone should just read The Prince's Tale again and then think about the Snapes in their own lives.
(Anonymous who wants life to have a soundtrack and who doesn't have an iPod with which I can pretend. Let's call me Elena. That's a good Spanish name.)
Oh, nevermind, it happened. Haha. Silly me.
ReplyDeleteElena