SB's sanity

[Zarleycat at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 13628

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Amy Z" <aiz24 at h...> wrote:
> 
> The worst thing for Sirius himself seems to be his guilt.  It is 
> positively suicidal for him to say to Harry (when H first accuses 
> him), "I don't deny it," but he does it because he is so tortured 
by 
> guilt about their deaths.  This is one thing the Dementors seemed 
to 
> be able to inflict on him that he found impossible to shake.
> 
> Sorry, that was kind of rambling.  I can't quite work out 
> myself what I'm trying to say.

Snip

Your overview of Sirius' sanity was not at all rambling.  I think you 
summed up the subject quite nicely.  

The guilt Sirius feels regarding the Potters' deaths doesn't seem to 
have lessened in GoF.  I'm thinking of the scene in Dumbledore's 
office where Harry recounts his experience with Priori Incantatem.  
At the beginning of this scene, Sirius has his hand on Harry's 
shoulder, a gesture of support and comfort.  By the time Harry 
mentions his parents' appearances, Sirius has released his grip on 
Harry and has hidden his face in his hands. 

This guilt is a huge motivating factor for Sirius.  Not only does he 
want to help and protect Harry because Harry is his godson, but I 
think he also feels that there is a debt to be repayed.  Sirius feels 
he failed James and Lily, so he's going to make damned sure he 
doesn't fail Harry.

Marianne