I feel like the movies had a lot to do with the whole "Snape is creepy" thing. Not just because they miss a lot of detail and add the bit about Snape cradling her body, but also because, in that scene which is so prevalent in people's minds, they look so much older? In the films, Lily appears to be in her thirties, and even aged down a bit Snape is still I would say thirties/forties. They're well into adulthood, creeping up on middle age – the age where highschool friendships should be well out of mind. To be still apparently hung up on adolescent relationships at that age is, to many, weird.
However, in the book timeline they are only 21. They were friends for longer than they were estranged – about ¼ of their lives. If people saw a smooth faced 21 year old, still barely able to drink in the US (where so many of the most influential voices of the HP fandom are situated) and obviously distraught, would they have the same reaction? I don't think so.
jily’s seventh year pining era will never not get me.
them looking at each other during meals and lily thinking james doesn’t like her anymore while james is just aching because she’s still so beautiful>>>
them going to sleep after a gryffindor common room party only to realize they spent the entire night together talking and laughing>>>
james trying his hardest to just be lily’s friend and respect her wishes while lily has been sending signals at him for weeks>>>
lily drooling over james after quidditch practice>>>
james being in awe of lily when she gets a question right during class after trying to compete with her a moment before>>>
them all of a sudden having inside jokes and being the first ones to look at each other when something funny happens>>>
my heart is always so warm thinking about them.
(btw remus and marlene were the most excited out of everyone)
People try to put down Jily because James was horrid to Sev and yes I agree.. but imagine being Lily.. your best friend betrays you for your oppressors who hate your very existence, your sister too hates you for your very existence and you seem to have no place where you are fully accepted. And then there's this dude who has always been an immature ass.. but who stands by you like a rock against those discriminating assholes.. this guy you've always hated is the one guarding your back as you guard his on the battlefield where you're outnumbered 20 to 1... this guy who could have carried on his shitty bullying habits into the future, but instead chose to fight against the monsters who want to eradicate you when your own best friend left you for them... this guy who loves every bit of you from the magic to the non-magic and to your very bones he worships the hell out of you... he will die for you and he does.
I don't know man, but that level of character development is an understandable reason to marry a dude ❤
ship james with whoever you want but nothing is gonna hit as hard as jily does. bc james chose to walk right into war, james chose to risk his life because being with lily was worth risking everything.