Sirius - who is right?

[tania_schr]

No: HPFGUIDX 73559

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mkaliz" <kai_z at o...> wrote:

 -snip-

> Unfortunately, Dumbledore underestimated the depths of Sirius'
> frustration, depression, and emotional vulnerability.
> 
> Snape's constant taunting wasn't 100% the cause of Sirius' 
decision to
> head to the Ministry (no matter how sane/mature Sirius might have
> been, I can't see him hesitating for one second to go to Harry's 
aid,
> no matter how nicely he was asked to wait for Dumbledore!), but I
> think it certainly contributed to Sirius' screwed-up emotional 
state.
> 
> But then, Dumbledore has always seemed to place individual's 
physical
> safety ahead of their emotional welfare/needs/vulnerabilities. 
> 
> --kai

  I agree that Dumbledore didn't realize what harm Sirius' new 
captivity was doing to him.
 I think the Sirius we saw before this book wouldn't have cared at 
all about Snape's comments.  Maybe he would have even had fun 
throwing comments back at Snape.  But in OoP Snape is hitting on 
the one thing that is bothering Sirius tremendously (his feeling of 
worthlessness).  Sirius had had hours upon hours (days, months) to 
dwell on this horrible feeling only for it to be pointed out to him 
over and over again by someone he disliked, and who was in a 
position he might have liked to have been in.  (Let's see, would 
Sirius have enjoyed teaching at Hogwarts where he is surrounded by 
some activity and can daily chat with Harry . . . ?)
  
Tania