OK... theory I read while I was gone

[Alison Williams]

No: HPFGUIDX 56927

That weird Lupin = James theory got me thinking.  The main flaw in it -
and it looks like a big one to me - is why has Lupin/James not taken any
interest in Harry in the last 12 years?

If there was such a switch isn't it much more plausible that Sirius was
the one James switched with?  After all *he's* been locked up in Askaban
for the last 12 years.

He was James' best friend so he would have been prepared to take the
greatest risk in trying to protect him.

If it had happened as a last resort once they'd realised that Peter was
the traitor it would explain why Sirius was first on the scene after
Voldemort had killed Lily and James and why he tried so hard to persuade
Hagrid to let him take Harry.

It would help explain why he was desperate enough to find a way to break
out of Askaban on seeing the news that Harry was in danger from Peter,
and why he went straight to Privet Drive/Magnolia Crescent rather than
going straight after Peter.  As he says in his letter to Harry at the
end of PoA, "I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my
journey north."

It would explain why he risked sneaking past the Dementors just to watch
a Quidditch match!  That is one I've often wondered about.

Some other evidence from the text.

In PoA when Harry attacks Sirius it says, "Perhaps it was the shock of
Harry doing something so stupid, but Black didn't raise the wands in
time."  Perhaps!

Also in PoA when Sirius is explaining how he escaped from Azkaban he
says, "I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was
innocent.  That wasn't a happy thought, so the Dementors couldn't suck
it out of me... because it kept me sane and knowing who I am...  helped
me keep my powers..."

In GoF after Harry returns from his encounter with Voldemort.  "Sirius
was standing there, his face was as white and gaunt as it had been when
he escaped from Askaban."   "His hands shook as he helped Harry to a
chair"  Then throughout Harry's story Sirius keeps his hand on his
shoulder and when Harry speaks about his parents "Sirius' grip on
Harry's shoulder was now so tight it was painful."

Of course, all of this *could* be explained by Sirius being a very
devoted Godfather, but it makes more sense to me than Lupin/James.

Alison