Sirius revisited

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 103916

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> I don't think so anymore, although it is subject to correction, of 
> course. For now I am convinced that  whoever practices Dark Magic 
> in "Potterverse" is evil, period)
> 
> With that attitude in mind, I give Sirius major credit for breaking 
> away from them.
> 

Kneasy:
Being a bit unforgiving aren't you?
By that standard Harry is "evil, period" for casting a Crucio! in the 
Ministry.


> Kneasy:
> > Whatever, his personality is set. At Hogwarts he's known to indulge 
> > in bullying and will without compunction put the lives of others at 
> > risk out of spite - with little evidence of regret or  remorse 
> > afterwards. 
> 
> 
> Alla:
> Just a quick question. Who are those "others"? I am afraid I can 
> remember only one name, whom Sirius bullied in Pensieve Scene.
> 
> If you know any others, let me know, please.
> 

Kneasy:
Of course. Don't you think both Snape *and* James were at risk from
Lupin in the tunnel? DD  certainly thought so.

I also consider it typical of Sirius that it is James that tries to save the
situation that Sirius caused. Sirius does nothing, apparently. Quite
willing for his friend to go into danger to pull Sirius's coals out of the fire.
Creep or coward? You decide.

> 
> Alla:
> 
> We don't know whether Sirius was punished or not. We only know that 
> he was not expelled. It is a pure speculation that he would 
> definitely told Harry if he was punished. Maybe the punishment was so 
> embarrasing for him that he did not want to mention it to Harry.
> 
> I understand that for person, whose initials are SS any punishment of 
> Sirius short by death would not have been enough, but who knows maybe 
> Dumbledore saw some mitigating circumstances in the Prank. (Could it 
> be? :))
>  
> Maybe dumbledore decided that... I don't know a year of detentions in 
> Forbidden Forest with Mr. Filch will be enough for Sirius.
>

Kneasy:
This topic was discussed at length last year, if you remember. I haven't
had time to go back to it, but the general consensus, backed by DD 
having told Snape never to mention the incident again, leans towards no
punishment being handed out. There may be more definite evidence;
I'll have to do a search.


> Alla:
> 
> This is the only moment, where I confess I am not quite clear about 
> something. No, I am not questioning Sirius' motives. I suspect it has 
> more to do with Rowling's not fully explaining the situation yet.
> 
> Why, why why was he so sure that Voldemort will never come after 
> peter? Did he consider Voldie to be stupid? 
>

Kneasy:
It's my opinion that he wasn't  thinking about Voldy, he was thinking
of himself, how clever he was. Playing the brave friend, leading Voldy
on a dance. Stupid.
If, of course, things were as he says they were. 
There is no confirmation that James knew the Secret Keeper had changed.
DD certainly didn't, he says so. And if anyone should have been informed,
it was DD. So why didn't Sirius tell him? Being clever again, or covering
his tracks?

> Alla.
> Two of your best friends were just killed. You learn that your other 
> friend just betrayed them to Voldie.
> 
> Yes, shock is the most realistic reaction I would think of.
>

Kneasy:
Perhaps. But see post 103903, no point in repeating myself. 

> Alla:
> 
> Oh, could it be that Sirius as one of the brightest students in his 
> class, who managed to become animagus at fifteen or sixteen , indeed 
> escaped by himself.

Kneasy:
No.
There is no evidence that he was particularly bright. By all accounts the
Animagus spell doesn't require brains, just practice to get it right.
If  he was bright, it wouldn't have taken him 12 years to escape.
No, he was helped. Probably by Fudge who 'just happened' to give
Sirius the newspaper with the photo containing Scabbers and again
'just happened' to be at Azkaban the night Sirius got out. And as
a result 'just happened' to let loose a load of Dementors who 'just
happened' to be more interested in Harry than in Sirius.
All a most regretable and unfortunate series of events, of course. 

That tale of Dementors being confused by animals just won't work.
The whole point of being an Animagus is that you retain your human
mind and intelligence. Since Dementors don't have eyes, they're
not going to be confused by shape. They go for minds.

The only question is, did Sirius cooperate or was he a catspaw?