[HPforGrownups] Living With Sirius

[Calypso8604 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 28287

Well, there are a number of factors as to why Harry trusted Sirius so easily 
in my opinion.

First of all, there's the Lupin factor. Harry trusts Lupin completely and saw 
him as a father-figure, sort of. Lupin trusted Sirius and calmly was able to 
explain to Harry everything and answered all of his questions and doubts 
honestly. Harry was very upset and for a moment he was suspicious of even 
Lupin but then he began to calm down and was able to see the situation 
logically.

Then, of course, all the proof was given; Wormtail. If I saw a man I thought 
to be dead suddenly change from a rat, which he was hiding as for no apparent 
reason my opinion of the situation would certainly change.

Lastly, there's the fact that Harry *was* just a thirteen-year old boy. He 
wanted to leave the Durselys and trust the man who was his father's best 
friend. He jumped at the chance for an alternate story other than his dad's 
best friend and his godfather betrayed his parents. Any boy his age would 
probably do the same

~ Calypso




In a message dated 10/27/01 1:25:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
inviziblegirl at hotmail.com writes:


> 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
> 




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