Isn't it odd how different the experiences are depending on where you enter the fandom? That had to be so frustrating! Because 2003 was a pretty banner time for Snarry. But it's likely that most Snarry would have been at the after_class and SnapeXHarry yahoo MLs rather than on a generic Snapeslash group. I was lucky enough to find those early and then move right into the Dusk to Dawn and fuh-q-fests as well as LJ, so I was (happily) buried in Snarry during the same time period.