Why do we always gang up on Sirius?

[Theresa]

No: HPFGUIDX 105329

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:
> Theresa wrote:
> > > But I do think he was not the innocent victim all the time and 
> > > can be nasty too - he wanted to feed Sirius' soul to the 
> > > dementors afterall.
> > (snip)
> > > James is as bad as Sirius in the pensieve scene and in my 
> > > opinion worse in some ways.
> > (snip)
> > > Anyway, I guess my point is...I think both James and Sirius, 
were 
> > > cocky pinheads but basically loveable loyal good-hearted 
> > > pinheads. 
> 
> 
> Val:
> > Ok, I have to strongly support that. Why is everyone so against 
> > Sirius? Even after we have seen that James is the more arrogant, 
> > bullying, etc, one of them.
> > 
> > Yeah, James went to save Snape but I really doubt he did it FOR 
> > Snape, I think he did it to save Sirius's and Remus's behinds, 
> > think of how much trouble they would have been in! And Remus 
would 
> > never be able to live with it, I think that was James's 
motivation 
> > rather than Snape.
> 
> > I think people aren't blaming James as much as Sirius in the 
> > Pensieve scene because, well, he's dead and deserves some 
respect. 
> > If I wasn't in denial, I'd say so is Sirius, doesn't he deserve 
> > some respect?
> > 
> > Anyways, my point is: Sirius is not a bad person, he's not evil 
and 
> > I really wish people here would stop portaying him as a bad guy 
> > most of the time...
> 
> 
> SSSusan:
> I don't think "everyone" *is* against Sirius or portraying him as a 
> bad guy most of the time at all.  I don't see why pointing out a 
> problem, flaw, arrogance, whatever you want to call it, with Sirius 
> is necessarily being "against" him or portraying him as a bad guy.  
> Lots of us have been arguing for quite some time that these 
> characters are GREY and complex.  It's easy to "like" a character 
and 
> still see his failings.
> 
> I also don't see how James comes out as MORE arrogant and bullying 
> than Sirius.  In THIS scene, perhaps.  Overall?  No.  Whatever the 
> motivation for it, James stopped Snape; Sirius did not.  James also 
> managed to do *something* to win Lily over, and from what we see in 
> the Penseive scene, I think he'd have had to do a nearly complete 
180 
> in some areas to convince her he was worthy.
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan

Theresa again:
BTW I love your signature Susan. I too actually like Snape AND Sirius 
(Remus too). I find those three fascinating and Luna too. Just watch 
there is something really important about that girl.

I think what I was trying to say is that when people look at the 
pensieve scene in OotP and remember the prank, many folks say 'bad 
bad Sirius, no cookie for you' but forget there were others being 
just as naughty. I always imagined Snape was an ornery cuss while at 
school so his actions in the scene didn't surprise me. Sirius is 
impulsive and rather arrogant at times. So he too didn't surprise me 
in that scene. James, however, for me was a shock. I thought he was 
the guy everyone loved (except Snape), yet it was Sirius (and to a 
small degree Snape) folks were branding as the troublemaking bully.  
I long for the answer to the Prank and really will not be upset if 
Sirius was just having one of those 'stupid brain not engaged 
moments'. I am curious as to whether or not James was present (they 
were supposedly nearly always together) when Sirius mentioned the 
willow to Snape. And I too think he saved him more to keep Sirius out 
of trouble and Remus from becoming a murdering beast. (More so the 
latter, as the consequences would be worse for Remus.) Also, I agree 
he must have done some changes to his personality for Lily to have 
married him.

I also would love to know more on Snape and unlike JKR, I would have 
dinner with him just to chat and find out more about what makes him 
tick. Of course I would gladly have dinner with any of the HP 
characters if possible to ask questions. Most especially any of the 
marauders (except maybe Peter), Snape, Luna or the trio. 

Anyway, I still love these characters, flaws and all. I was just 
curious as to why it seemed like we were not pointing out James' 
flaws too. Of course I have been off this list for a while until RL 
calmed a little and I had time to read some more so maybe everyone 
bashed James already and it was Sirius' turn. As long as we leave 
Remus alone I'll be happy and won't throw tomatoes. (just kidding, I 
think the diverse opinions on this list of the books and characters 
are what makes this a fun group - at least we nearly always stay 
civil - I have seen many groups that do not always try to maintain 
proper decent interactions and I think it is pleasant here.)

Theresa