Did the Marauders Regularly Bully Students Besides Snape?

Many theories and speculations abound regarding the Marauders' behavior at Hogwarts, particularly their alleged bullying of students. While there is no concrete evidence that the Marauders systematically mistreated their peers, several events and instances have led to questions about their conduct. Let's delve into the evidence and explore what we know, and what we can infer from the information provided by the wizarding world's literature.

Speculation and Evidence

There is no hard and fast evidence that definitively proves the Marauders regularly bullied students outside of their notorious tormenting of Severus Snape. However, their behavior is often characterized by arrogance and recklessness, which could suggest that they went beyond basic bullying into more troubling territory on occasion.

Reckless and Arrogant Behavior

(According to interviews and fan analysis) The Marauders, particularly James and Sirius, are known for their arrogant and sometimes reckless behavior. Their bullying of Severus Snape is well-documented, but it's not clear if they targeted other students in the same way. For instance, James and Sirius once hexed a boy to make his head swell, which indicates that they did cross lines with other students from time to time.

The Case of Bertram Aubrey

(Excerpt from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) One student who did face their brunt of mischief was Bertram Aubrey. Sirius Black and James Potter reportedly used an illegal hex on him, causing his head to swell to twice its normal size. Lily, one of the Marauders' contemporaries, even corroborated this, stating that James hexed people in the corridors, implying he targeted multiple individuals over the years.

A snippet from the Marauders' school records reads as follows:

"James Potter and Sirius Black. Apprehended using an illegal hex upon Bertram Aubrey. Aubrey's head twice normal size. Double detention."

Describing the Marauders

(From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) When questioned about the Marauders' behavior, Professor Dumbledore used a particular phrase: 'nice people of the right sort.' This terminology is often used to describe individuals who align with one's values or beliefs, but it's not without controversy. When questioned, Remus Lupin elaborated that the Marauders only bullied individuals who they considered 'not of the right sort.' Since Severus Snape was known for his dark-leaning behavior, this might explain why the Marauders didn't discriminate against him as much.

Harry's Research

(From the same book) Harry, driven by his curiosity and perhaps a sense of familial kinship, delved into the Marauders' records. Each entry he encountered revolved around typical "petty misdeeds," often ending with the stomach-jolting realization that he was reading about his father, Sirius, or both, usually in reference to their pranks and misbehaviors. However, even in these entries, there is an acknowledgment of instances where the Marauders crossed lines, such as the infamous incident with Bertram Aubrey.

For example:

"She started going out with him in seventh year" said Remus.

"Once James had deflated his head a bit" said Sirius.

"And stopped hexing people just for the fun of it" said Remus.

"Even Snape" said Harry.

"Well" said Remus slowly "Snape was a special case. I mean he never lost an opportunity to curse James so you couldn’t really expect James to take that lying down, could you?”

The Great Achievements Debate

(From Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) Snape's characterization of the Marauders as having their "great achievements" recorded, implies that there was much more going on beyond just their pranks. While their mischievous acts were undoubtedly a significant part of their legacy, their bullying and aggressive behavior is also a crucial aspect to consider.

One of the more controversial excerpts is the part where Snape relates the story of Bertram Aubrey and reiterates the idea that after the Marauders were gone, their actions were still remembered, denoting an endurance of their impact even beyond their time at Hogwarts.

"It must be such a comforting thing that though they are gone a record of their great achievements remains."

Harry, feeling a familiar boil in his stomach, contemplates the legacy of the Marauders, acknowledging both their positive contributions and the negative aspects of their behavior.

The Difference Between the Marauders and the Twins

(From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) In comparison to the Marauders, Fred and George Weasley were known for their humor and, unlike James Potter, their pranks often had a comedic twist, reflecting a more light-hearted and casual approach to mischief. James, on the other hand, was described as the most unfunny character in the series, suggesting a darker, more aggressive bent to his behavior.

This contrast further highlights the varying nature of mischievous behavior among different characters, with the Marauders and the Twins showcasing distinct motivations and outcomes.

Conclusion

While there is no explicit confirmation of the Marauders' systematic bullying of other students, their behavior does suggest that they went beyond simple pranks and engaged in bullying practices. The evidence, while not conclusive, paints a picture of individuals who, while not always intentionally mean, did exhibit behavior that could be perceived as harmful and exclusionary towards their peers.