"The Animagus Black!"

[wildfire_517]

No: HPFGUIDX 79953

>Jen Reese: 
>
>(snips) 
> So Bellatrix was trying to offer this to Voldemort in lieu of the 
> broken prophecy, hoping to stave off punishment. But, then it 
doesn't 
> explain why she didn't just tell him Sirius was dead instead of 
that 
> they fought. She'd want credit for that.
> 

My turn:

  Maybe the DEs know something we don't.  Maybe she really thought 
Sirius wasn't dead.  Maybe there is a way to come back from the other 
side of the veil.  Or maybe she was babbling because she was shocked 
her master was there and she really didn't know what she was saying.  
Personally, I hope it's the first option, but I have a hunch it's the 
second one.

>Jen Reese:
> OK, Second theory: During the three times the Potters defied 
> Voldemort, Sirius assumed his animagus form to help them, and 
that's 
> the only way Voldemort really knows him. Perhaps he doesn't even 
know 
> his real name, so Bellatrix has to refer to him that way so LV will 
> know who she's talking about.

Me again:

   While this one might possibly work, I would have to think that the 
information passed to LV by Wormtail would include the fact that 
certain members of the OotP were unregistered Animagi, including 
Black.  Plus, Sirius explains why he had the Potters switch 
secretkeepers by saying that he hoped LV would come after him and 
leave PP alone.  That, to me, implies that LV knew who he was, and LV 
doesn't seem like a person who would go into a potential battle 
without knowing as much as possible about his opponents, which would 
include knowing Sirius' Animagus abilities.

   Wyld