Why Sirius had to die

[erised_straeh]

No: HPFGUIDX 73186

This topic has probably been covered ad nauseum, but as everyone 
knows, this list is so active and I just can't keep up. Still, I 
wanted to voice my thoughts before feeling totally defeated by the 
volume and being inexorably pulled back into solitary lurkdom. 

OK, JKR said she _had_ to kill him. Why?  

Yes, the structure of myth requires Harry to be without his father 
figures and be alone in his fight and so on, but I don't think that 
was a reason to kill Sirius here.  After all, how many people does 
she have to kill for Harry to be truly alone and without mentors?  A 
lot. 

So, I am thinking three things.  First, Harry now has a better 
understanding of the consequences of his actions. I think he _had_ 
developed a bit of a hero complex and now he's been brought back to 
Earth and been reminded how being Harry Potter, the boy who lived, is 
a heavy burden and one he doesn't want.  Also, now he truly 
understands how it feels to lose someone you love.

Second, it occurs to me that Sirius could have been a bad influence 
on Harry. I've never seen this mentioned, but it occurred to me that 
Sirius spent 12 years in Azkaban, not 12 years turning into a mature 
adult.  Azkaban may have hardened him, but it couldn't have matured 
him. He is still, I think, in a lot of ways, that 20 year old who 
went after Peter.  He picks a fight with Snape; he tries to get Harry 
to meet him in Hogsmeade because it's risky.  Yes, I know he's 
trapped in Grimmauld Place and so on, and is depressed and feeling 
useless, and I sympathize, but some of that is because he hasn't 
grown up and is having trouble seeing the big picture. For another 
example, Dumbledore says he told Sirius he should be nicer to 
Kreacher, but Sirius wouldn't listen.  

Third, and I put more stock in this one, getting rid of Sirius was 
the only way to put Remus in the spotlight. Remus is now the only one 
of Harry's parents' generation that Harry has left and I believe 
Remus has a great story.  Since the books are always from Harry's 
POV, I think it would have been very difficult for us to learn much 
about Remus with Sirius around. Harry would not go to Remus when he 
could go to Sirius.  He's not going to ask Remus for advice or ask 
him questions about his parents when he has Sirius. That being the 
case, as long as Remus was still working outside of Hogwart's, there 
would be little opportunity or reason for Harry to be privy to any 
information about Remus, unless Sirius or someone else happened to 
mention it. So, I think that to a large extent Sirius had to go to 
make room for Remus. 

And, that's all  Sorry for rambling.

Kristina 
Who is once again trying to keep up with the HP fandom, and is, once 
again, failing miserably.