Living With Sirius

[Amber ?]

No: HPFGUIDX 28285


I have a bit of the book that has always bothered me in a way and I'm hoping 
the list can help me sort it out.

The part specifically is in Chapter 20 - The Dementor's Kiss of POA. In the 
first bit, Sirius asks Harry if he will live with him since it looks like 
his name will be cleared. Harry, without even thinking about it, says yes. I 
will say that the first time reading it, it bothered me.

Why? Because a scarce couple of hours before, Harry had thought Sirius Black 
was out to kill him. Furthermore, Harry had a BURNING HATRED for Sirius (as 
is evidence in Chapter 11 - The Firebolt). And Sirius has frightened and 
hurt his dearest friends, even choked Harry a bit. Yet, in the course of a 
couple of hours, Harry was able to completely turn about his perception of 
the man.

I've thought of reasons why Harry would accept his invitation. Obviously, 
Harry will do anything to escape the Dursleys. Well, not everything but an 
awful lot. Apparently even agree to live with someone he doesn't know at 
all. Sirius, in my eyes, is practically a stranger. But when you compare a 
stranger to the Dursleys, I guess the stranger wins out. Anyone would be 
better than the Dursleys, right?

Another probable reason is that Harry is just able to change his view and 
emotions of a person that quickly. Er, that's not what I mean precisely, but 
close enough. In that case I commend him, he's a better person than I could 
ever be. I know that I would still have lingering shadows of doubt, 
regardless of how firmly Sirius' innocence is proved.

As to why Sirius would offer in the first place...well...guilt. Horrendous 
guilt that he wasn't there for Harry throughout Harry's previous years and 
he wishes to rectify the matter as soon as possible.

These are solid reasons to explain Sirius' offer and Harry's ready 
acceptance. But it still bothers me. If I were Sirius, I would've waited 
until my name was cleared. If I were been Harry, I would've asked to think 
about it (even if just for an hour!). The way Harry is able to accept Sirius 
wholeheartedly when scarcely before he was shouting "HE KILLED MY MUM AND 
DAD!" is puzzling to me.

So, can anybody explain any other reasons besides the ones above or perhaps 
explain those reasons better? Am I the only one who feels this way? I 
recognize that it could just be me not understanding but I'd like to be able 
to read that part of the book without feelings of misgiving. I've always 
been a bit suspicious of how EASILY Sirius has been able to slip into 
Harry's life despite all the obstacles. But then, I've always wondered at 
how Harry is able to accept anyone in his life after spending years and 
years in a cupboard. Exceptional doesn't begin to describe the boy...

~Amber

********
http://www.the-tabula-rasa.com

"Blessed are the shallow
Depth they'll never find
Seems to be some comfort
In rooms I try to hide"
- "Frail" by Jars of Clay


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