Sirius and Molly...

[lmbolland at earthlink.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 71454

Mela wrote: 
"I just wonder what all of your thoughts are?  Why do you think Molly was so hard on Sirius? "


Dear Mela,

I believe we have canon for Molly having mother-bear type reactions when those she loves are in real (or perceived) danger.  Book 2 when the boys took the car.  Book 3 when she argued w/Arthur about whether to tell Harry about Sirius Black.  In book 4 she was angry with the Twins for the wizard weezies - possibly because she thought they would be ruining their lives and futures, and putting their schooling years to waste with this particular pursuit.  We also have canon for the idea that Molly can really let loose on those she loves!  She appears to have high expectations for her children.  Arthur seems to really like his children, and accept them just as they are - I really love that about his character.  

Soo... in book 5 we see Molly's shouldering some heavy fears.  She's petrified everyone will die - to the point where she regularly has nightmares about it.  (Woes of Mrs. W.)  In the middle of fearing for the very lives of those she loves best, she worries about feeding and clothing everyone (no mean feat considering the hellish place they're all living in and the sheer number of people involved) she's also doing some high security guard duty AND worrying about those little things like getting school supplies and getting everyone to Hogwarts on time.  She is under a tremendous amount of stress, and, as a woman & mother it seems to take an emotional toll.  She has become a woman of today who is expected to do it all and do it all well, but underneath she still has female (motherly?) emotions and weaknesses.   

To top it off, in walks the least likely of godfathers for Harry.  A man who's spent 12 years in prison, who is criminally reckless (POA and GOF) who seems (by Molly) to have been stunted emotionally a bit (she says Sirius believes Harry is James) and who NOW suddenly wants to exert parental authority over Harry.  Molly has been taking a motherly interest in Harry since book 2, at least, and as a parent could possibly feel eminently more qualified to decide what is best for a 15 yo boy than an emotionally-stunted, convicted murderer.  (Again, trying to take it from canon - what the characters motivations might be!)  Why does she hit him below the belt with that Azkaban remark at dinner? I think she's trying to win the discussion (she knows she's right) and pulls out every last stop.  

As for the dog remark at the train station - it's possible that she *cares* for Sirius and doesn't want him caught. (Could this be the motivation behind her not wanting him to leave Grimmauld place, even as a dog?)  However, I see her main motivation for being - as you said - so hard on Sirius, is because she sees Sirius' recklessness as a danger to Harry's safety, which brings out the mother-bear in her.  

Lauri