[HPforGrownups] Re: Sirius Animagus; Broomstick

[LD]

No: HPFGUIDX 40318

Alexander wrote:
>1.
>
>  I have re-read PoA, and now a question appeared: in the 
>Shrieking Shack, Lupin tells the story of the Marauders to HRH 
>and invisible Snape. He also mentions that three of Marauders 
>were animagi. Snape hears the whole story.
>
>  Yet in the GoF, ministry seems to be unaware of the fact
>that Sirius is an animagus. Surely Snape would squeal on
>Sirius if he was given a chance? If he didn't, then why?

Let's be honest, what's the point of telling the Ministry that Sirius is
an Animagus? They already want to suck out his soul with a Dementor,
what more could they possibly do? And would they believe Snape even if
he *was* petty enough to tell them? No, I think Dumbledore took Snape
aside and ordered him not to tell Not only would it have gotten Sirius
into more trouble, but Remus also. Dumbledore must have had plans for
Lupin and Black later on :)

>2.
>
>  A small investigation in the Quidditch information brought 
>the following results:
>
>  a. Harry's broom, Firebolt, accelerates to 150 mph in 10
>     seconds (PA).
>  b. Quidditch field/pitch is 500 feet long.
>
<snip>
>
>maximum speed that a player on Firebolt can 
>have in quidditch game, is about 60 mph.
>
>  But Firebolt has maximum speed of 150 mph. What the hell
>is the excess speed for?
>
<snip>
>
>Firebolt is NOT
>a sporting broom, it is a racing broom.
>
>  But then... why did Irish team choose that stupid broom to 
>use on Quidditch World Cup?

Great point, and one that's fairly easily resolved (for me at least).
Let's look at Ferrari for a second. Ferrari make very fast sports cars,
most of which could easily reach 200mph if given the chance. The fact
that the car can do 200mph is completely irrelevant though, because the
most you can do (on British roads at least) is 70mph. So just as with
the Firebolt, why is the excess speed there? 

Bragging rights.

Yes, it really is that simple. It's a show of power to your peers,
similar to the way that processor clock speeds on modern PCs are
spiralling out of control. You might only need an ancient 486 to type up
the occasional letter on, but you still want that 2GHz P4 with that
gorgeous flat panel monitor. It's a head-turner.

And just a thought on one other thing you said:

>
>Harry's broom, Firebolt, accelerates to 150 mph in 10 seconds
<snip>
>Wouldn't it be better to put more powerful accelerating/deccelerating
spells on it instead? 
>

Sure, the ability to stop and start almost instantaneously would be
good, but would the rider even be able to stay on the broom?
Accelerating to 200mpg in 2 seconds might *sound* impressive, but you
can bet that the rider would be tumbling towards the ground faster than
you can say "excessive power" <grin>