Dumbledore's role in Sirius' death was Re: ESE!Snape (Was loads of other stuff)

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 98923

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> wrote:
> 
> Sirius was more heroic than we realize. By keeping himself safe, 
> much as he hated doing it, he protected Harry until Harry had 
> strength enough to survive the confrontation with Voldemort at 
> the MoM.
> 


Really?

This would imply that Sirius knew in advance that Harry would be 
meeting Voldemort in the Ministry, or at least that he would be
meeting Voldy fairly soon. That's post facto rationisation IMO.

Regular readers of my burblings will know that I am not a great
fan of Sirius; I don't consider him to be a hero at all. Last year
there were a series of threads that covered this and I  stated
that Sirius is a rotten role model for Harry and that  he would
not be considered an admirable character by most *males*. The
distaff side may  regard him differently, but they always seem to
have a soft spot for flawed 'heroes'. 

Let me present the case for the prosecution by considering just
what Sirius has done, achieved or inspired.

If our first view of Sirius had  been the one shown in 'Snape's worst 
Memory' what would our impression of him be? Not nice at all.
Consider the passages in which he is described:

"Sirius stared around at the students milling over the grass, looking
rather  haughty and bored,  but very handsomely so."

"Put that away, will you," said Sirius finally, as James made a fine
catch and Wormtail let out a cheer, "before Wormtail wets himself
with excitement."

Lupin-"We've still got Transfiguration, if you're bored you could
test me. Here.."
But Sirius snorted. "I  don't need to look at that rubbish, I know it
all."

Then Snape appears. The passage indicates that of the quartet he 
sees James and Sirius as his chief tormentors; naturally  they attack
him before he can  get his wand out and Sirius (so brave!) hits him
with an Impedimenta! spell after James has disarmed him.
So, a conceited, patronising bully.

Then there is the Secret Keeper debacle. Rotten planning by Sirius.
Now he's a bungling, conceited, patronising bully.

Follow this up with his massively stupid confrontation with Peter.
Somehow (and there's debate on how and why) he gets out of
Azkaban. Having learned nothing, his aim appears to be another
attempt at homicide in the Shrieking Shack.
Up-grade to a rash, bungling, conceited, patronising bully with
recurring homicidal tendencies.

And so  we reach Grimmauld Place.
Where he leaches on to Harry as his sole salvation. Very astute.
His entire credibility now rests on his association with James, Lily
and Harry. He pushes his position of Godfather to the limit, even
though in the UK this title does not confer any authority over the
Godchild or his up-bringing and is normally a purely honorary
connection. Indeed, he tries to actively interfere with the plans
that DD has for Harry, has a confrontation with Snape (Snape the
winner on points), is dismissive of Kreacher and caps it all by
accompanying Harry to  the station (despite instructions/warnings)
and is promptly recognised by Malfoy.
Wonderful! With friends like these, who needs enemies?

What's left  for Sirius? A rush to the Ministry and involvement in a 
fight where he dies while showboating (Yah! Can't touch me!)
Typical. Posturing to the end.

A fitting climax for a stupid, rash, bungling, conceited, whining,
patronising bully with recurring homicidal tendencies.
I'll  repeat  a sentence I've used before -
"Much better for all concerned that Sirius should be a poignant 
memory to Harry than be an active influence." 
And that's probably why he died.

Kneasy