[HPforGrownups] in defense of sirius black

[Carole Estes]

No: HPFGUIDX 14402


----- Original Message -----
From: "Magda Grantwich" <mgrantwich at yahoo.com>

>
> So Snape goes into the tunnel and is killed by Remus Lupin.
>
> Let's say for the sake of argument that a Snapeless world would be a
> better place and that getting rid of Snape in and of itself is an
> acceptable goal.
>
> But what was he going to say to Lupin when he resumed human form?
> "Hey, good going, you really mauled him!"  What kind of a friend sets
> up another friend to become a murderer when he's in no condition to
> stop himself?

A 16 year old who didn't really think that far ahead.  We've all heard
incidents of teenagers doing really stupid things that have turned out
horribly.  These mistakes don't necessarily indicate that the teen is a
violent git.  He definitely lacks foresight, and lacks maturity big time,
but does it indicate a rotten to the core calculating murderer...ready to
let a friend eat an enemy...I don't get that impression.

If Sirius had been mature enough to think through his actions (and remember
all he did was to tell Snape where Lupin went and how to get past the
Whomping willow...no one forced Snape to carry through on those
instructions) he probably would not have told Snape anything.  I see Sirius
blurting out where Lupon is and how to get there in a fit of annoyance at
Snape poking his nose in where it didn't belong for the thousandth time...I
don't really see him planning ahead of time to tell Snape then see what
happens.  The impression I get is that Sirius told Snape...then later that
night he casually mentioned it to James who (being much more mature)
thought...holy $%$# and dashed out to "save" Snape.

Lacking forsight is definitely a trademark of Mr. Black's pre-Azkaban days.
You can see it in his decision to switch secret-keepers.  If he'd thought
through.."what happens if the trick doesn't work and V finds out Peter is
the secret-keeper"...even if peter weren't the spy, he'd be an easier target
to break.  Its kind of like hiding your valuables in a fake coke can rather
than a safe.  The safe is the first place they look, but its hard to get
into...the fake coke can just might fool them, but if it doesn't you're up a
creek.  The coke can is clever, but probably not the best idea if you think
through all the consequences.  I see his decision to switch secret-keepers
in the same light.

And if he didn't have a lot of foresight at 21 (or whatever age they were
when lily and james were killed) he certainly wouldn't  have had much at 16.


>
> I'll start GoF on the weekend but I'd better see some way impressive
> stuff from Mr. Black before I change my opinion.
>

Its not going to be a dramatic change in that he's only in a handful of
scenes.  They are devoid, however, of any violence or otherwise unredeeming
behavior and much more paternal towards Harry.  I will be interested in your
impression when you get done GoF.

carole