[HPforGrownups] Sirius in Azkhaban

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 41926

SMiller writes:

> Why did Sirius stay in Azkhaban those 12 years if he could transform
> into a dog and escape, apparently easily, at any time?

The general impression that I got, whether it's correct or not, was that
while in Azkaban with the dementors your mind can't focus clearly enough to
think of escaping.  Sirius said that the only thing keeping him from
completely going insane was the thought that he was innocent.  Not a happy
thought to be innocent and stuck in Azkaban, so the dementors couldn't take
it.  However, when he saw Fudge's newspaper he found something new to live
for--justice!

> He knew that Peter was alive and would have been motivated to clear
> himself and find Harry, who, as his godchild, he had an obligation to
> take care of.

Well, as long as everyone thought he was guilty, Harry wouldn't want
anything to do with him.  As far as knowing Peter was alive, if he even
suspected Peter was alive he had no possible way to find him.  However, when
he saw the photo and recognized the rat he knew exactly where to find him.
Wherever Ron was he would find Peter.

Richelle