[HPforGrownups] RE: Snape's and Black's grudges (was: Living with Sirius)

[Susanna Luhtanen]

No: HPFGUIDX 28358



Susanna Luhtanen
s_luhtanen at hotmail.com

>
>And Parker said something similar.
>
>First, I completely agree with this assessment of Sirius's disorder. He
>absolutely shows signs of PTSS, especially in terms of his violent
>outbursts. Every time he exhibits signs of murderous rage--slashing the Fat
>Lady's portrait, choking Harry--it is when he is denied his goal or when he
>encounters them as obstacles. As far as slashing Ron's curtains, I believe
>he was so close to success, he simply snapped for a moment. (Ron's scream
>not only shook him out of his rage, but made him realise Scabbers wasn't
>there. Could also have been a reality check: "Oh [expletive deleted!] I
>almost hurt someone who wasn't Peter!")
>
>As far as the "greasy-haired kid" remark, come on. It's a perennial 
>problem,
>on many levels. As someone else has pointed out, Sirius is frozen 12 years
>in the past, due to his imprisonment.

Though he did have access to the Daily Prophet to see Pettigrew as Ron's 
rat. (My guess is, that a wizard guard - only one, - was reading it with his 
back turned, and while Sirus' cell was a bit off - he took his eye into his 
hand and looked - which he could do due to being animagus. Dropping a finger 
I figure also an animagus trick...)

>So he has no new impression of Snape
>to balance the old (and let's face it, has Snape really changed that much?
>He would hardly be voted the "most changed" at the Hogwarts class of '76
>reunion). That's one.

Not much - Sirius did, though. Can't spend 12 years with dementors without 
changing - to be more responsible, I guess, from prankster to the caring 
godfather.

>Second, isn't it true for many people that the image of the child never
>quite gets replaced by the adult? What I mean is, people who've known one
>since childhood sometimes have trouble allowing that person to age and grow
>in their estimation--regardless of the evidence that they have done so.
>True, this is usually the case when those judging are older than the person
>judged, but again, it's not outside the realm of possibility.

Yes - I have that problem with some - like my little sister whose five years 
younger, some younger children from next door I've not seen...


>First off, we can conclude that he was 16 or thereabouts, if Snape's
>statement is accurate: "Sirius Black proved he was capable of murder at 
>16."

He was 16 when Sirius told Snape about Whomping Willow - as was Snape.
Hmm... I think that back then, (and after) - Sirius was unable to lie - or 
break his word. He was unable to keep the thing about Whomping Willow a 
secret when pressed by Snape (having never actually promised to keep THAT a 
secret) - but, he'd promised not to tell about Lupin... so that's, I think, 
what happened...

I think he, noting that giving away one secret nearly leading to someone 
discovering another secret, nearly causing death etc. and regretted it. He 
figured that he was unable to keep secrets when confronted about them.
So, when it came to choose Secret-Keeper, James would choose Sirius he knew 
as a loyal friend and one who kept his word.
Sirius refused. saying something like "I can't keep secrets, Prongs. I told 
Snape about Whomping Willow, remember. Besides, everyone would think I was 
your choice. Take Wormtail instead. Then they come after me and he won't 
even be questioned" or some such.

Then, when it turned out that Pettigrew was the traitor...

He blames Snape for making him feel so unable about keeping secrets - and 
thus, responsible of James' and Lily's death - though hating Peter even more 
for his betrayal, and, um... maybe Harry told Sirius how Snape was treating 
him, so it'd not be only past actions.

Weight of the past and the godparent's reaction on the teacher abusing the 
godson. If you heard a teacher was treating your child - or godchild - like 
Snape treats Harry - wouldn't you be angry?

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