The Death of Sirius

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 81585

I got a direct mail from someone on the list who, in the course of the
letter, asked me why it had to be Sirius that died.

I thought I would like to post my reply on that question to the list as a
whole.  (Please forgive if someone already posted something like this...
*chuckle*)


As for why it had to be Sirius... Well, the only alternatives of people who
were as close to him would be Ron, Hermione, and Dumbledore.  Do you REALLY
think JKR would be willing to sacrifice one of them at this point?

*quirks an eyebrow at you.*

The relationship with Sirius was that, in essence, Sirius was to be Harry's
salvation from the loneliness of never having known his parents, and someone
who would provide him with a real family, rather than just shelter as the
Dursleys do.  Having that salvation ripped from him, especially as sudden
and traumatic a manner, effected Harry deeply.  So deeply that, in the midst
of LV almost managing to defeat him, the one person he thought of wasn't
himself, but Sirius.  This shows a deep and intense love (in a son to
father/friend way) for Sirius... so intense that LV couldn't overcome it.

You will see that, in most of her books, it's not his willpower that's
Harry's most potent weapon against LV.. it's love.

Love of his mother, that she sacrificed herself for him... it protects him.
Love he feels for his friends, that he is willing to protect them.
Love he feels for Dumbledore, that he exhibits such loyalty as to call
    Fawkes to him in a time of need.
Love he feels for all people, that grants him the compassion to spare the
    life of Peter Pettigrew.
Love he feels for his schoolmates that gives him the strength to return
    Cedric's body to his parents.
Love he feels even for the memory of his parents that gives him the strength
    to trust they will protect him in the duel with LV.
Love he feels for Hagrid that makes him willing to risk his own life to help
    clear his friend's name.

and, ultimately

Love he feels for Sirius that, even in the face of death, allows him to
think of nothing but that he will be with Sirius again, and thus, purge the
influence of LV from him.



Well, there it is...  Feel free to comment.

Iggy McSnurd
the Prankster

"And now, in the center ring of the Weasley Brother's Circus,
  we have Draco Malfoy, the Amazing, BOUNCING FERRET!!"

-- Iggy McSnurd, clown and ringmaster.