[HPforGrownups] Re: Responsibility for the prank (was the Veritaserum theory)

[Porphyria]

No: HPFGUIDX 34969

> > "Sirius here played a trick on him which nearly killed him, a trick
> > which involved me--"

> > To which Sirius replies that it served Snape right for sneaking
> around always trying to get them expelled.

> > Lupin continues, adding "Sirius thought it would be -- er --
> amusing, to tell Snape all he had to do was prod the knot...

In characterizing Lupin's description of the prank, I said:

> > Lupin clearly lays the blame for this on Sirius' peculiar sense of
> > humor. He sounds annoyed here, as well he should be since he was an
> > unwilling participant.

And Marianne asked:

> Why do you think Remus sounds annoyed?  There is nothing in canon to
> indicate that his tone of voice, actions or expression show any
> indication of annoyance or anger as he tells this story.  I read it
> somewhat differently - that "-- er-- amusing" seemed to me to
> indicate that Lupin was struggling for a word to use to slide this
> whole thing by without revealing any more than he had to. 

I agree there is no indication of his tone of voice. I based my 
interpretation partly on the fact that Lupin has just finished 
expressing his guilt and remorse for being potentially dangerous in his 
antics as a teenage werewolf. Then the way he phrases his description, 
with "a trick which involved me--" sort of jutting out from the end of 
the sentence; I read this as being a little accusative.

As to the "-- er --" I think normally Lupin is pretty eloquent and 
tactful, so my take was that he seems like he's trying to gloss over 
something unpleasant here. I interpreted that as his frustration with 
Sirius. Lupin doesn't want to bring up a hostile memory, especially now 
that he knows his good friend is probably innocent, but he can't quite 
tell this story without stumbling.

Plus, why wouldn't he be annoyed? He's not the type to want someone else 
to use him as a weapon, or even a source of terror.

And why would he be trying to keep from revealing something 
incriminating about Snape if his sympathies lie with Sirius?

> I always
> felt that he wanted to keep everyone's focus on Pettigrew in the
> Shrieking Shack and that discussion of this incident would have taken
> a lot more time to fully explain to the Trio.

I agree that this is a weird time and place for the two of them to be 
reminiscing over their school days. Nonetheless, Lupin goes on for most 
of Chapter 18 explaining various things. Sirius is at parts eager to get 
on with it, but that doesn't stop him from interjecting his own 
editorial remark in the middle of Lupin's story and thus prolonging it. 
Lupin himself seems inclined to talk on and on.

> But if there were extenuating circumstances,
> > wouldn't Sirius admit to them, if only to excuse himself in Lupin's
> > eyes?
>
> He must have found some way to explain or excuse himself in Remus'
> eyes, as the prank did not seem to destroy their friendship.

Maybe he apologized to Lupin? I can see Lupin forgiving him for a little 
recklessness, especially since he was guilty of the same thing in other 
circumstances.

> I do think there is more background to this incident.  I dont' think
> Sirius was tricked, potioned, charmed, imperioused, or somehow forced
> into this because he was the victim of some sort of magic.  I'm of
> the opinion, and I have no canon basis for saying so, that Sirius did
> this of his own free will, but the reason he did it was because he
> had some sort of provocation, some sort of incident involving Snape
> that set him off at this particular time. 

Well, I know I can't change your mind. :-)

> And, yes, Sirius can't get past the slimy Snape figure, just as Snape
> can't get past the arrogant, strutting James figure. These two are so
> much alike in some respects...

True, I think the text wants us to read them as parallel.
~~Porphyria




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