defense of Sirius and James

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 19176

Catherine wrote:
> 
> He is also very prepared to take responsibility for Harry - indeed, 
> he wants to - the smile which breaks across his face when he finds 
> that Harry wants to live with him touches me everytime.  He is also 
> not the kind of guardian who wants to just do what will keep him in 
> favour, something akin to a step parent trying to get a child to 
like 
> them, but he wants to do what is right for Harry.  There is more 
than 
> one occassion in GoF when Harry is slightly resentful of the way 
> Sirius is looking out for him and telling what to do and what not 
to 
> do.  This isn't taking the easier option, in my view.  Finally, as 
> Ron says, "Poor old Snuffles....he must really like you, 
> Harry...imagine having to live off rats."  Sirius has put himself 
to 
> a great deal of trouble, discomfort, and danger by coming back to 
> keep an eye on/help Harry.  This doesn't smack of someone who is 
not 
> prepared to face their responsibilities.
> 
I don't know why I keep posting these days - there are just too many 
good things people are writing, I guess!  Anyway, I agree with you, 
Catherine (and everyone else who does not think Sirius is 
irresponsible).  I think that if JKR intended to make Sirius studly, 
commitment-phobic and irresponsible, she'd have made him a much more 
comical character; perhaps like Lockhart was.  Sirius is someone who 
should be taken, uh, seriously (or should I say Siriusly?).  I think 
JKR has made a point of letting us know how committed to Harry Sirius 
really is - Ron's observations about Sirius eating rats is an 
excellent example of that.

--jenny from ravenclaw*********************************************