Sirius vs. Snape: Azcaban recovery.

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 34769

I think that:

Sirius had more than one prime motives to escape from Azcaban. Both 
to save Harry and to make Pettigrew pay among others - like proving 
his innocence... Everything he might have wanted, needed and/or 
desired required his getting out of Azcaban. His entire being was 
momentuously aimed at a single goal: Out of Azcaban. This is so great 
a need, so great an emotional thought: "I must get out of here" - 
that it brings that non-wand, non-controlled magic out. That's how he 
escaped. (Being animagus helped, no doubt)

Once he was out, what is he to do?
Option #1: Go to Harry and see he's OK. "Hagrid said he's to live 
with Lily's sister. Go there." (as he did, remember the dog)
Option #2: Get Pettigrew from Weasleys (who at the moment were 
somewhere in Egypt - much too far!).
Option #3: Contact someone with the 'news' - but... Where is he to 
get parchment, ink etc. not to mention an Owl? Nor is Sirius likely 
to think that anyone would /believe/ the 'news' at all.
Under the circumstances, #1 is the only realistic option!

Sirius isn't getting better: He's focused on finding Harry and 
getting him to safety. He's too busy to handle the emotional after-
effect of his torment. He kept all dangers away from Harry (until 
Harry got into the Knight-Bus) while Harry was dealing with his 
emotions so busily he didn't notice anything.
Sirius heard where Harry was headed, I guess - so he went there, 
using some other method. Again, he's concerned of Harry, his own 
Azcaban-trauma is constantly put aside - until later.

Sirius propably saw Harry watching that Firebolt, wanting it so hard, 
but not buying it. Sirius gets a thought: "Poor Harry. I'll buy him 
that Firebolt if it's the last thing I do..." He goes to Gringotts 
(Goblins don't gossip about their customers) and withdraws almost all 
his money, buys some Polyjuice Potion(Knockturn Alley?) and gets a 
hair of some random (drunk?) person. Then he goes to the broom-shop 
and buys that Firebolt, telling the shoppers to send it for Harry 
Potter on Christmas-time. Possibly he also sends a letter to 
Lupin: "Protect Prongs's son".
No more. Lupin will know what it means and who sent it! Sirius sees 
Harry and Lupin going onto same car and gets on the train...

Halloween: Sirius knows that PP has his best oppurtunity with so 
little students around and desperately acts. AIR it was Lupin who 
broke Ron's leg, not Sirius. OK, now Sirius has Lupin to trust, along 
with the Trio. Sirius' acts on Fat Lady, etc. is partly unhandled 
post-traumatic stress from Azcaban, stress and desperation.

His attempt against PP is revenge, protecting Harry and more. He 
doesn't think Harry would get upset for this (wasn't Harry about to 
kill him for the things PP did?). Yet, all it takes is Harry's 
request to stop them both. That single thing shows that Harry's well-
being counts for more than revenge when it comes to Sirius.

And, um, no - Sirius isn't fully recovered yet. He offers Harry a 
home - but realises only afterwards that he might still need time to 
recover (you possibly don't want me to...).

His time in "some place warm with lots of sunlight" helps Sirius to 
recover from his time in Azcaban - at least, now he's able to do so. 
He sends regular letters to Harry, Lupin and Dumbledore. (Giving Ron 
the Owl as an apology with his first letter to Harry...) - Where did 
he get that little owl?

And, for other Person X ought to apologise to Person Y - well, the 
thing about Ron vs. Harry after the Dragon - he didn't need to hear 
it. Same goes with Ron & Harry. They know why - that's enough.

Difference between Snape & Sirius is that Sirius does one repaireable 
thing against Fat Lady, has a fight with Harry and Ron - but only 
once. Plus they were able to do something...

Snape continuously and repeatedly offends Harry, Hermione and Neville 
(and who knows how many others). He's constantly abusing his status 
as teacher, particularly on Neville who can't defend himself and 
punishes those who do - just for anyone not Slytherin having a mind. 
Even when Hermione answers correctly to his questions, he takes 
points! Poor students can do nothing. Nothing. They can't go to 
Dumbledore and complain, because they don't know the password and 
Snape could be there stopping them. It's just plain wrong.

About Hagrid recovering so fast - 1) He had good conditions to 
recover. 2) He stayed for two weeks - considerably lesser time than 
12 years. 3) Hagrid's half-giant (compare to Sirius' Animagi)...