Sorry if this has been asked before. I don't think it's been asked in here though. Just want to get actual snape fans perspective on it.

yes, I do. I'm not excusing Snape of course, he was no saint after all, but most of the time he was defending himself against 4 of those pricks plus it was James who started it all.

So your options are kinda unfair, but still, I'm on the Marauder's side for this one.
Except if they use stupid excuses. Which is when it's just stupid.

True. I notice though, that Snape gets called every name in the book because of how he treated Harry, but still James is a fucking saint regardless of what James did to Snape. I don't even excuse Draco for it. I like Draco because he's cute and that's it.

You're either for bullies or you're not.

I never said James is a saint, now did I? Sure, he's one of my favourite characters - that doesn't mean I think everything he did was 1OO% right. In fact, while I understand why he treated Snape like he did, I don't really approve of his... methods.

I wasn't saying you did. I'm saying in general.

Fair point. It annoys me too, actually... but like I said, I get why. Just not how.

It tells me a lot about our society that it's okay to excuse an act that is pretty much harmful to another. With Snape the damage was already done and his childhood wasn't all that great to begin with. James has no excuse for it in my eyes. You have the choice to do what you do, you have control to leave it alone or to torture someone because "Oh, they annoy me." I'm just talking through experience is all.

It's obvious I'm not gonna win this, so how about we just agree to disagree?

Um, okay...

"'I'm bored,' said Sirius. 'Wish it was full moon.'
[...]
This'll liven you up, Padfoot,' said James quietly. 'Look who it is…'
[...]
'Excellent,' he said softly. 'Snivellus.'"

[...]

'Leave him alone,' Lily repeated. She was looking at James with every sign of great dislike.'What's he done to you?'
'Well,' said James, appearing to deliberate the point, 'it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean…'

those are direct quotes from OOTP. Without a reason, without being provoked, they just decided to bully Snape because he just simply was there and they were f*cking bored...

What really annoys me (and cracks me up and makes me sad at the same time) are the people who blame Severus for loosing Lily, but then turn around and make excuses for James: "Oh, he changed. Oh, he was young."

'Cause, ya know, Severus was a fifty year old man when he called Lily a mudblood, stayed faithful to Voldemort his whole life and never regretted anything *rolls eyes*

What was that quote Severus said at the end of HPB after Harry called him a cowered? Something like: "[...]your father never attacked me unless it was three (or four?) against one. I wonder what you'd call him?" Yeah, I can totally see why you'd excuse that :/

James' a w*nker!!!

Exactly Marie.

He never did anything to them when they first meet they just bullied him and I don`t understand why what ìs to make fun of?????

If James lived, he would be sorry for what he did. Then again...Sirius and Severus never really made up, either...

i have problem even watching that part!

Me too.

Yes. They had no reason for what they did. granted, Snape was never nice to them, but only because of how they treated him.
I completely agree with what lilith84 and bri-marie said ^

Lilith & Bri- I Love your answers. They are so spot on! I love how you call things like they are, good examples too.
It definitely annoys me. AND I don't believe that if James were still alive that he would treat Severus any differently. Whereas Severus has grown up and matured (for the most part- aside from defending himself - as usual), James never did AND his Gang still snipe and insult Severus at any opportunity.
Severus is definitely the bigger person here.

I believe that too snowwhite2.

DITTO Snowwhite2, Lilith84, and Bri-Marie. Couldn't have said it better. >:(

" No, I like to defend bullies " LOLץ
I actually hated James ever since.

I did too actually. I liked him before as well.

Jame's an idiot.

James... doesn't really have a whole lot to do with the overall (1-7) storyline, does he. Aside from being Harry's dad...
He was a bit of a twit really... I love Snape for not retaliating :)

There was no reason for James and his friends to bully Snape. Theres never an excuse for bulling.

I get more than annoyed I get angry. I had a friend in school who was born with health problems who was bullied and teased. She was so depressed that not by suicide but by the effects on her health gave up the will to live. My first funeral ever someone my own age of 14.

Other than fathering Harry, what was so great about James? He sounded like the typical jock who was a total prick and could do what he wanted, but people liked him because he was popular. Idk, I'm probably biased. *Waves hands in air* But he and the other Marauders only bullied Severus because they were BORED. That's it. 'True. I notice though, that Snape gets called every name in the book because of how he treated Harry, but still James is a fucking saint regardless of what James did to Snape.' Yeah, that's the ugly truth, Vixie79. I don't get it, at all.

Aw I'm so sorry frostydragon. That's so horrible. People can be so ignorant and with not even trying to understand why. I had a friend that was bullied in school and he later became more to me and we started dating, but he committed suicide shortly after. He was just a little older than me. It's real and it shouldn't have any excuse, but unfortunately it does for some reason, in our society.

OMG! yes. If James would rise up from the dead, I would kill him again!

It surprises me when people try and defend James' actions. If you've ever read enough about Severus, then it would be a disgrace not to be just a little bit touched. He's one of my few role models, and I look up to the way he loved Lily. James didn't have any good reasons to bully Snape, and for me, that settles it.

Lily's distinction was that James and Sirius didn't use Dark Magic when they bullied people. Really? Perhaps Lily should have acquianted herself with the Wiccan Rede. Ultimately, James and Sirius *did* use Dark Magic; they used their spells with harmful intent. Sirius' comment "wish it was a full moon" indicates a desire for entertainment at Remus' expence. And that just makes me sick. James' reason for torturing Severus was simply the fact that he existed (and that he loved Lily). And that's just thoroughly disgusting to me. I can't imagine anyone being able to honestly defend what James and Sirius did to *anyone* they bullied, but especially Severus.

And here's something ugly to ponder: to what lengths might the bullying have gone if Severus had been female? Would Lily have been able to excuse & defend *that* later on?

You are so very correct Black Hound. I do believe Mad Eye Moody covered this. Physical, Mental or Death. Bullying falls under mental harm.

As much as I like Snape. No.

At worst Snape was a Death Eater
At worst James was a bully

James of course should not be excused but come on Snape is not innocent here.

^ That's exactly what I find annoying. James didn't know that while they were at school yet spent seven years bullying Snape. I'm not saying Snape is perfect, what I'm saying is James is not perfect, in fact he's very far from perfect!

James Potter was far worse than just a bully. Even Harry, his own son, was disgusted by what he saw his father do, so much so that he even wondered if James had forced Lily into the marriage.

You know what gets on my nerves?
James' change from a buly to a matture man (According to some) counts and excuses what he did.
Severus' change from a Death Eater to a useful spy that helped greatly does not seem to count for nothing.
Are some people insane?
And also; who started on the train the very first time?
Who started the humiliation at their fifth year?
Who minded his own business both times?
Answer that and you get who should be excused;)

^ Exactly! Everyone loves to talk about how mature James became but I never really saw any proof of that. Anyone can get married and have a kid, it doesn't mean they're mature. James may have been a good father, a good husband, and a good friend to the few people he took a liking to, but it doesn't mean he ever stopped bullying people who didn't make it into that select group. I can forgive Snape's bitter actions because he had a truly horrid life and was constantly being rejected, but James had everything handed to him and he still made a point to torture people who were weaker or less fortunate than him. His actions were inexcusable and there's no real indication that he ever regretted the way he treated Snape or anyone else as a student. He got older and married and had Harry, but that certainly doesn't mean he matured or became a better person.

WHAT SUCKS IS THAT PEOPLE SAY "JAMES GREW OUT OF IT." BUT SNAPE CAN'T BE FORGIVEN BECAUSE OF SAYING 'MUDBLOOD.'

AND HE LIVED HIS LIFE AS MISERABLE AS IT HAD BEEN.

nothing about what james did to him was right and nothing about his life has been fair i like james he defended his son but i dont like that he was a bully but i think scores were settled in the end

You are so correct Black Hound.I'd never understand why people try to excuse James actions.Even Lily,later his wife,was disgusted by what he did.His own son,Harry,once or twice even wondered whether James had forced his mother into marriage.

True,James and Sirius didn't use Dark Magic,but what they did was out of evil intentions,what should people call this?

And I hate people say that James bullied Snape because he loved Lily or/and because Snape liked Dark Magic.In fact,he bullied other innocent students just for entertainment--

OOTP: 'walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can'.

HBP：'“James Potter and Sirius Black. Apprehended
using an illegal hex upon Bertram Aubrey. Aubrey’s head twice
normal size.Double detention.”’

I really get annoyed with it especially as its usually the same people that defend james to the bitter end that are ragging on Draco for bullying Harry!!!!

It warms my heart reading most of your answers here guys :) James started it, James continued it, James was the bully. When you think about it, who knows if Snape would have become a Death Eater if it wasn't for James and his friends and Lily's rejection. So using the 'Death Eater' card isn't really valid here.

@ dottzie36: I know right. Can we say hypocrisy?

@ lilith84: I was thinking the same thing. Like I said before, with Snape, the damage was already done long ago, even before he became a Death eater. There SHOULDN'T EVER be an excuse for what James did what so ever PERIOD!

Also, just want to add that I do believe that James really wouldn't have changed that much if he would have lived. Just seeing Sirius' attitude toward Severus in POA gave me the answer right there. Now just add James to that situation and BOOM instant bully ville.

When I first saw that scene I feel sorry for Snape & I hated James .. >< Luv snape alott <3