Did Sirius *ever* consider consequences? (was: Trusting characters)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 118969


> SSSusan:
> I definitely won't argue with you that Sirius was rash & reckless 
in 
> general, Carol, but I do believe that he did at times consider 
> consequences.  What about his decision to actually *answer* some 
of 
> Harry's questions in chapter 5 of OotP?  Haven't lots of us 
bemoaned 
> the fact that Harry's been kept too much in the dark?  That he had 
> proven himself capable of handling the truth by his actions in the 
> previous four years [retrieving the stone, duelling Voldy in the 
> graveyard, etc.] and yet no one would tell him anything, 
particularly 
> any "whys"?  Sirius *wanted* to fill Harry in and managed to do a 
> fair bit of it before being halted.  I think this was wise, 
actually.


Jen: Personally, I found Sirius to be pretty helpful to Harry in 
GOF. It's not like any of the adults were falling over themselves to 
help Harry get through the Triwazard Tournament. 

Some people may see Sirius returning to Hogsmeade as rash and 
reckless, but Harry found it helpful to have an adult around to 
explain some history to him, and answer a few questions during a 
very confusing time. Besides, the risk there was mainly to Sirius. 
What would the Ministry do if Harry were found consorting with 
Sirius at that point in the story? Nothing. Blame it on the 
Confundus Charm again and move on.

JKR makes a good distinction in OOTP about who Sirius was to Harry 
and it explains Sirius' behavior for me. He was helpful in 
situations where he was called on to be more like a brother to 
Harry, but was less successful when he needed to be a parent figure. 
Like Susan said, Sirius was the only adult in OOTP (and GOF too) who 
was willing to talk to Harry as a person and not just a 'kid'. JKR 
mentions that in interviews frequently, that she doesn't agree with 
talking down to children or assuming they can't understand complex 
situations.

So, overall Sirius was rash and reckless by adult standards. By 
Harry's standards he offered him some hope and help at the end of 
POA & GOF and even through the beginning of OOTP. That's where it 
ended.

Jen