Who stuns Sirius

[Josh Warren]

No: HPFGUIDX 111127

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "samnanya" <yswahl at s...> wrote:
> Samnanya
> ----------------------
> I had posted on this matter extensively late last year.
> The arguments for Sirius being hit by Lupin's jet rather
> than Bellas are (briefly) as follows -
> 
> 1. Simple use of pronouns. Why didn't JKR just say "Her"
> rather than "the" in "THE second jet of light hit him
> squarely in the chest" ?
> "HER jet of light"  would have been clear and there would
> not have been any question as to who did the damage.

More dramatic... like the light should have been seen previously... 
why was Sirius wasting his time mocking her? Then again, some people 
will question anything. As the original jet of light was described 
more as being 'from Bella' and not 'at Sirius', the definitive nature 
of the arctle 'the' refers to that antecedant--Bellatrix's
 
> 2. Lupin was on ground level below the dais, which is
> raised.  Sirius was ducking. If he had not straightened up
> yet, and there is no indication that he had, Bellatrix
> could not hit him "squarely" in the chest since she was
> level with him ON the dais. However, Lupin, from BELOW
> the dais could. {this is a visualization exercise}

A mocking laugh and statement is delivered straightened up... more so 
than normal and certainly poor dueling positioning, as it would imply 
the head thrown back somewhat. Also, a duck is momentarily, as 
opposed to dropping into a crouch, or something along that nature. 
Furthermore, Harry, on the step, was watching Sirius, below him on 
the dais. If Lupid was in such a position, he'd be within Harry's 
view... Harry would have seen it.

> 3. When Bella felt she was about to be punished by
>  Voldemort for not procuring the prophecy orb for him,
> she says "Master I am sorry. I knew not. I was fighting
> the Animagus Black!" (oop 812)
> She doesn't mention KILLING him, just fighting him. Why
> would she be shy with her accomplishments when she is about
> to be punished by her master? 

Killing was momentary... the fighting itself was drawn out, involved 
dodging curses and focus, and therefore is the point of her being 
distracted from the prophesy.
 
> 4. JKR spends many paragraphs describing who was where
> in the battle. Everyone else was preoccupied in the battle, 
> incapacitated, or getting lassoed by Dumbledore.
> EXCEPT LUPIN, who as I said, was in perfect position to act 
> anonymously.

Hadn't Lupin jumped between Malfoy and the two boys? Lack of book, 
but Lupin's whereabouts were noted more recently than Shacklebolt's, 
for example... and placed him near Harry. One would presume that 
Lupin was fighting Malfoy.

> 5. Sirius' look of shock, fear and SUPRISE. That is a lot of
> adjectives. Most writers stop at two (or even less). Why did 
> JKR use so many adjectives? Getting hit by a spell that might
> result in death would merit shock and fear. Getting hit by a
> spell by an assumed friend would indeed be a helluva suprise.  

Um, the word was 'shock' which I assume would be the case from being 
hit by an unfriendly spell... and this was just his eyes. Also, it 
was used as a noun, but I'm just being silly. During this timespan, 
these various descriptors were applied to Sirius: 'laughter had not 
quite died', 'eyes widened in shock', 'graceful arc', 'mingled fear 
and surprise', 'wasted, once-handsome face'. To JKR (and to kids) 
this was supposed to be a very dramatic moment... and in slow 
motion: "It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall..." This is an image 
that will be burned in Harry's brain, and thus all the descriptors.
 
> Some of you might feel that this is yet another example of
> JKRs lack of skill as a writer, or inattention to detail,
> addiction to adjectives as Stephen King had commented
> (methinks)or just a plain ol' mistake by her or her editor...
> You're entitled to your opinion.

Nah, just the hopeless ramblings of someone needing to find 
conspiracy in every corner of a round room. Aren't all you screwy ESE 
people forgetting that Remus is the token werewolves-are-people-too 
character, _and_ he's a half-blood. His lack of wealth is a testement 
to his principles (see the Weasleys) and would be his only motive, 
not being as intimidatable as Wormie.

*rolls eyes* I shouldn't even bother... I'll end up with an ESE label 
next!

Josh