[HPforGrownups] The death and ghosts (Was Died Because of Hate, Love, Old Age, Low Self-Esteem

[yellows at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 75928

In a message dated 8/6/2003 8:14:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Alex Fox writes:

> Sirius died because he was bored, feeling useless, and he 
> was too head-strong. No other reasons. MHO.

Okay, here's something that's been bothering me. According to Nick, people only come back as ghosts if they actually *choose* to, right?

Now, here's how I see Sirius:

1 -- He's emotional. He's not a think-ahead kind of guy. When everyone else is telling Harry to consider the consequences before acting, Sirius is cheering Harry on. 

2 -- He likes to be in the thick of things. He doesn't do well cooped up. He needs fresh air and action. 

3 -- He feels a deep need to protect Harry and be close to him, whether it's because he misses James or because he feels guilty about James' death, or whatever.

4 -- He's the love of my life.  ;)

Okay, all of the above (but one) considered, does this really add up to someone who would die mid-battle and say, "Oh, I choose to leave the world behind and move on to the unknown"? 

Point 1 = Not thinking ahead. As far as I can tell, thinking ahead is pretty necessary for a decision to move on to be made.

Point 2 = Liking to be in the action. Moving on certainly doesn't promise him he'll get action. Especially when he died in the middle of an important fight, the action appears to be here on Earth.

Point 3 = A need to protect Harry. This (as far as we know and as far as Sirius knew) can't be done from whatever's beyond death. 

Point 4 = Er -- nevermind.  :)

What I'm getting at is, would the Sirius we know choose to move on instead of becoming a ghost? I don't think Sirius will come back, that's not my point at all. But I *do* think there's something fishy about the veil. Perhaps it prevented him from making that choice. What do you think?

Brief Chronicles