[HPforGrownups] some questions about Sirius Black

[artsylynda at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 54129

Briony:

> 1 - At the end of GoF, why does Dumbledore tell Sirius to resume his
> human form while Snape and Mrs Weasley are in the hospital ward?  Is it
> more than just to let them know the truth about Sirius?  Could
> Dumbledore have some plan to clear Sirius?

I'll try to answer some of these questions, but I can't manage all of them!  
Great questions!!  Anway. . .Everyone with a grain of sense in the Wizarding 
World (that is, those not with Lord V. or those like Fudge who close their 
eyes to reality) knows Dumbledore is a very wise person, and if he trusts 
someone, that person is trustworthy (even Harry tries, from time to time, to 
trust Snape despite his grave misgivings, because Dumbledore insists Snape is 
on "our" side and he trusts Dumbledore).  Dumbledore "exposed" Sirius, I 
believe, to start the process of clearing his name and to make the Order of 
the Phoenix truly viable -- Sirius will have an important part to play there, 
as will Snape and the Weasleys, from indications given in that scene.  They 
will HAVE to trust each other, because they will be doing "undercover" work 
together, working against the hierarchy of the Ministry of Magic to bring 
about the fall of Voldemort.

> 
> 2 - Now that Mrs Weasley knows about Sirius, what is she going to do
> with this piece of information?  How do we know she doesn't go to the
> Ministry?

She trusts Dumbledore -- and Harry.  She won't go to Fudge because she lost 
all respect for him over the Dementor giving Barty Jr. the "kiss" before he 
was able to give more testimony, and because he refused to believe Harry.  
She hasn't had a lot of respect for Fudge in the past because of his lack of 
respect for Arthur Weasley (who could've gotten higher office in the MoM if 
he didn't enjoy his Muggle work so much).  Molly Weasley is as firmly in 
Harry's corner as it's possible to be, IMHO, considering him one of her own 
children (I don't know what she's going to do about Percy, though!), and 
Sirius is Harry's godfather.  She can probably tell there's a bond between 
Harry and Sirius (which constantly amazes me how quickly Harry went from not 
trusting Sirius to being delighted to have him as "family" -- Harry's an 
amazing guy).  Since Molly knows Harry wishes he had a family of his own, I 
think she'll be more accepting of Sirius as a good guy, for Harry's sake, and 
because Dumbledore told them he's innocent of the charges against him.

> 
> 3 - Rita Skeeter must also know, since she was in the ward at the time
> (Hermoine caught her on the window sill).  What's to stop her from
> blabbing (apart from Hermoine's blackmail)?

That's actually a great question.  Wonder if her dentist parents will squash 
Hermione's pet bug during the summer holiday???  heehee

> 
> 4 - Could Mad-Eye Moody testify that Pettigrew is alive, and a DE?
> Remember, Pettigrew was with Crouch Jnr when they surprised him and
> stuffed him into that trunk.  

Also an interesting question

> 
> 5 - If word gets out that Dumbledore and Harry are protecting Sirius,
> what could happen to them, and Sirius?

You're just full of interesting questions!  I don't know the Wizarding World 
laws, but I suspect they could get in serious trouble (no pun intended).  But 
with Dumbledore's reputation and skills, I think they're pretty safe for now 
on that count.  And Sirius seems to be good at staying hidden when needed.

> 
> 7 - Doesn't Sirius have the right to any form of appeal, especially
> since he didn't have a trial?  They must have an appeal system since
> Buckbeak got one.
> 

Sirius didn't even get a trial -- how could he get an appeal?  Their 
"justice" system seems to be rather "loose" in many ways.  And Buckbeak's 
appeal was worthless -- it didn't happen, they were going to execute him no 
matter what.

> 8 - Finally, have those imprisoned DEs been given some sort of special
> power that would enable them to survive Azkaban with their minds and
> powers intact?  The Lestranges could not apparate to Voldemort's side
> because they were locked in Azkaban, but this also means that they can
> still apparate.  In other words, they still have the powers they should
> have lost while being exposed to Dementors. 
> 
> And what of their minds?  Have they gone mad or what?  If they are
> insane, what use would insane DEs be to Voldemort?  But Karkaroff and
> Crouch Jnr. were still sane after a year or so in Azkaban, while "most
> go mad within weeks."  
> 
> So do the DEs have some special capability that would enable them to
> withstand Azkaban?  
> 
> 
I have no idea -- great questions, it will be interesting to see the answers!


Lynda 
* * *
"Don't let  the Muggles get you down." Ron Weasley PoA


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