Prank revisited. WAS: Harry begins to act like someone I know

[mnaper2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 99201

Dumbledore11214 wrote:
> > 
> > Ummm, hate to disturb the Prank again, but we don't know what 
> exactly 
> > went on in Sirius' head that night, we don't know whether he was 
> > happily planning to turn Snape over to werewolf, or scare him 
> badly. 

Ava wrote:
> OK - either he was aware of the potential consequences, in which 
> case his behavior was inexcusable, or he wasn't aware, in which 
case 
> he was an idiot (even if only 15).  And I don't think Sirius is an 
> idiot.  Of course, we have plenty of OotP evidence that he tends to 
> ignore the practical consequences of his actions, but I can't see 
> how that makes for a better alternative explanation for his actions.


Ally:

Ava, I agree with you on this one.  There are lots of Sirius 
apologists when it comes to the prank, and I don't think there's any 
way to justify it.  What would we think if some 15 year old pushed a 
classmate into the lion enclosure at the zoo and said, it was just a 
prank?  We'd think:  that kid's lying and should be in prison; or 
that kid has serious behavioral issues and needs to be in therapy.  
Either way, there's something seriously wrong with that kid.

I don't doubt that Sirius and Snape had a history or that Snape also 
engaged in some bad behavior towards the Marauders.  But in my mind, 
no amount of pranks and teasing and hexes justifies a kid engaging in 
what is basically attempted murder.

I'm also not saying that Sirius is a better or worse person than 
Snape, b/c undoubtedly, they have both made mistakes.  But Sirius' 
prank seems worthy of Draco in its utter arrogance and stupidity.  
Maybe its that Slytherin upbringing?