[HPforGrownups] Sirius Black-What a Guy!

[millergal8 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 44278

I
Marcus said: 
   As to Sirius, I have a serious problem (no pun intended) with his 
   temper.  Slashing up the Fat Lady was just pathetic.  <snip>
   Seeking to take the law into his own hands with
   Petigrew is not the trait of somebody I want to get to know.

Me:
I completely agree, for Carol's post, I think both these cases are evidense 
to the passionate and "living on the edge" aspect of of Sirius personality.  
Why in the world would someone who wants to eventually clear his name, 
violently slash a painting when you couldn't get what you want?  This is not 
something that a rational innocent person would do.  Seems to me that Sirius 
didn't exactly think before he slashed.  Much the same way as a small child 
acts w/o thinking the consequences through.  
And I am sorry, but the last thing Sirius wants for Peter is justice.  His 
motivation, and I can't say I don't see where he coming from here, is 
revenge.  Pure and simple revenge.  Not only just revenge for himself, but 
for Lily, James and Harry.  Justice for Peter would be being brought up in 
front of a trial and carted off to Azkaban.  Again, Siriur didn't think 
through his situation.  By killing Peter, he would indeed be guilty of 
murder, putting him right back at square one.  How could he care for Harry if 
he was shipped right back to Azkaban for truly murdering Peter.  And keep in 
mind that it is essential to have Peter alive so the whole story can work 
itself out at a trial.
Another little aspect of Sirius' personality proving his passionate nature is 
his treatment of Snape.  I cannot believe in my heart that Sirius wanted to 
kill Snape.  He was merely playing a "school-boy" prank.  Good ole Sirius 
just was the short term benefits of his little joke.  The long term 
consequence being that Snape is dead.  Fortunatly for Sirius, James is 
pragmatic enough to rescue Snape before something dire happens.  
Now, after saying all this, let me add that Black is one of my favorite 
characters.  I can relate well to his implusivness.  And I can't help but 
love Harry's long lost guardian.  I almost wept when I learned that Harry was 
being cheated out of a loving home and would once again have to face the 
dreaded Dursley's for holiday.  But I think there are many who would agree 
that Sirius is not without his faults.  

Christy