Exorcizing the Prank

[ladjables]

No: HPFGUIDX 38774

Hi all,
It seems to me that the Prank haunts the list,
rattling its chains around like Marley.  I was
wondering if I could help lay it to rest, until the
Grand High Medium Jo does the job properly, that is.

A common complaint seems to be that Sirius thought
nothing of Remus when he set about tricking Snape. 
Well, what if he WAS thinking of Remus?  Apart from
the fact that canon offers little on the prank, since
Sirius and Remus are not the most forthcoming of
characters, and Snape has a tendency to spew rather
than actually impart information, we do know Sirius
hated Snape and vice versa.  We know Snape was
prowling around, trying to find a way to get the
Marauders in trouble. And we know Remus had a very big
secret that had to be protected.

This leads me to extrapolate that when Sirius told
Snape about Lupin's hideout, he only meant to scare
Snape to death, without actually considering that
Remus would zealously oblige him in that endeavour. 
Sirius may have believed the sight of the werewolf
would frighten Snape into silence, and therefore solve
all their problems.  If Snape threatened to tell,
Sirius would just say, "try it,and we'll sic the
werewolf on you."

I like this theory because it shows Sirius was out to
get Snape as well as try to protect a friend.  The
theory is also full of holes, in this case a plus. 
Hotheaded Sirius wanted to punish Snape and save
Remus, but did not think through his prank carefully. 
He used the kind of short-term logic that quickly
withered under the glare of hindsight.  Snape could
have been killed, Remus could have been hauled away to
suffer God know what.  Sirius made a terrible mistake
and almost destroyed his friend.  Tragically, this was
a harbinger of things to come.

So, can prank-haters and prank apologists hold hands
now and skip into the sunset together?  Or will those
chains keep clanking?  I'd like to hear your thoughts
on the matter.  Of course, if a prank war ensues, I
plead the Trelawney defense.
Ama


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