Prank

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 80117

Sylvia wrote:
> I'm getting increasingly worried about the use of this 
word "prank". 
> It has such a light-hearted sound about it. My dictionary defines 
> it as "a sportive trick, a mischievous act".  I can see nothing 
> sportive or mischievous about an act that can lead to someone's 
> death.  I can't believe DD's casual attitude to it.  


I suspect Dumbledore saw it as an incredibly stupid action by a 
notoriously impulsive 16 year old [Unless Sirius was less impulsive 
as a child than he was as an adult]. But felt that said 16 year old 
(Sirius) had never realised that what he was doing might actually 
kill Snape.

Further, if Dumbledore had punished Sirius, the whole story about 
Lupin being a werewolf would have come out. There would have been a 
huge outcry, and no doubt many parents would have insisted that this 
*proved* Lupin wasn't safe to have at Hogwarts. 

Lupin, who was as much an innocent victim as Snape [unless you 
support Pippin's Evil!Lupin], would have been punished as well. He 
would have had to leave Hogwarts. 

So I suspect it was mainly for Lupin's sake that the matter was 
hushed up. 

It's also becoming obvious that Sirius's parents weren't the type to 
complain if their son accidentally murdered someone -  Mother 
would've probably given Sirius a few hints on doing it better next 
time. ;-) Dumbledore was left with very few options.

As to the word 'prank' - try saying it with an ironic British 
inflection in the voice [grin]. 

Pip!Squeak