Why Sirius was Chosen as Godparent & Sirius' sacrifice

[catimini15]

No: HPFGUIDX 105186

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jen Reese" <stevejjen at e...> 
wrote:
> In post #103685, Kneasy said this about Godparents in the UK:
> 
> "The Godfather bit I consider to be a red
> herring. In the UK 'Godfather' is a purely symbolic title and 
confers
> no rights nor places responsibilities/obligations on the 
recipient."
> 
> I've been thinking about this one, because I don't agree it's a 
red 
> herring. I think this is another point that was supposed to be 
> misinterpreted in POA when we first find out about it, just like 
> Padfoot is mistaken for the Grim, only to discover the true 
> signigicance later on.
> 
> While I trust Kneasy's explanation of Godparents in RL UK, here 
are 
> some thoughts about it in the WW. 
> 
> First, the term seems to imply guardianship. Sirius is considerd a 
> legitimate guardian when signing the form Harry needs to go to 
> Hogsmeade. In OOTP, during the fight with Molly over Harry's 'need 
> to know,' Sirius feels he has a legal right to make decisions for 
> Harry, much as the Weasleys do for their children. Notice Molly 
> doesn't dispute that Sirius has some claim on making decisions for 
> Harry, only that his fitness as a guardian is in question.
> 
> Taking that information, I started thinking again about Lily & 
James 
> choosing a guardian for Harry. This wasn't a hypothetical 
situation 
> in their case, as it is for most of us with children. We don't 
> *really* expect both parents to die at the same time, but for 
James 
> & Lily this was a very real possibility. 
> 
> Not only that, they are choosing a guardian for Harry, a baby with 
a 
> Prophecy hanging over his head. A child who will undoubtedly be 
> targeted by Voldemort & live a life of danger. Anyone agreeing to 
> guardianship of Harry is agreeing to a life of possible danger and 
> death themselves, not something your average citizen will take on!
> 
> Looking for someone to fulfill these qualifications leads James & 
> Lily to Sirius. Who better? He possesses all the negative traits 
> Kneasy lists (at a drop of a hat, I might add <g>), but also has 
> some unique qualifications in this case: Loyal to James & Lily? 
> Check. Brave? Check. In the Order and safe to tell about the 
> Prophecy? Check. Willing to take on the task of guarding the One 
> with the Power? Check. Willing to die for Harry? Check.
(SNIP)

Now me (Nadine) :

I found these lines in PoA ! Chapter 26, The Demetor's Kiss, Sirius 
says (to Harry) : «I don't know if anyone ever told you - I'm your 
godfather.» Harry (to Sirius) : «Yeah, I knew that !» Sirius (to 
Harry again) : «Well... your parents appointed me your guardian 
(...) If anything happened to them...»

I agree with Kneasy that Godfather is probably a purely symbolic 
title but it seems Sirius was, indeed, Harry's official Guardian. 
Because he has been considered a dangerous murderer for the last 14 
years, Sirius never could fulfill his duties as a guardian. Well, he 
did, as best as he could, when the truth came out about his 
innocence (in the very secret cirle of the Order). I think it would 
have been possible for Harry to live with Sirius if Sirius' name 
would have been cleared before the unfortunate events in OotP and if 
Harry did not need the blood protection of Petunia. Everything is 
ruined now that Sirius is dead...

Hope that helps !

Nadine