Lupin visiting Sirius in Azkaban

[kiricat2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 112085

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "hannahmarder" <
> > Hannah:
> > "Perhaps DD felt that it was necessary to have Sirius out of the 
> > way, so that he had control over Harry's fate himself.  It was 
> > best for Harry to go to the Dursleys, however nasty,"
> > 
> > DuffyPoo:
> > There's a world of difference between growing up at the Dursleys' 
> > and spending twelve years in Azkaban.  IMO.  If DD had left an 
> > innocent man - any innocent man, not just Sirius - in Azkaban for 
> > twelve years it would make him quite as evil as LV, in my mind.
> 
> 
> Hannah again: 
> But maybe in some senses he is.  

Marianne:

Well, maybe so.  He did imply that he somehow forced Kreacher to give 
him the correct story of why everyone at 12 Grimmauld Place, 
including Sirius, had dashed off to the DoM.  Somehow I doubt his 
methods included bribing Kreacher with piles of chocolate bars.

Hannah:
It's a bit like the discussion 
> recently on Hermione's behaviour towards Rita and Luna in OotP 
> chapter 25.  It's been pointed out that if Lucius Malfoy used 
> blackmail like this everyone would be horrified, but it's OK if 
> Hermione does it because her ends justify her means.  I don't think 
> Dumbledore is above using pretty unpleasant tactics if he feels the 
> end is worth it.  Perhaps he considered protecting Harry so 
> important he felt that imprisoning Sirius was justified? I'm 
playing 
> devil's advocate a bit because I don't really think DD is that 
> ruthless.  But if you are to accept the idea that he allowed Sirius 
> to stay in Azkaban while knowing he was innocent, I think that 
> protecting Harry is one of the few reasons he would do it.

Marianne:

I have a real problem with this.  It implies that this is the only 
alternative.  As part of protecting Harry, DD's only option is to let 
Sirius, whom he knows to be innocent, to rot in Azkaban.  Surely 
Harry could still have the protection of the Dursleys without Sirius 
being left in jail.  Some sort of shared custody, or whatever.  I 
know, I know, it's now a common interpretation of Sirius' character 
to paint him as so totally reckless, arrogant, irresponsible that 
really, all Dumbledore could do would be to leave him in prison. If 
he got Sirius out, the man would be such a total loose canon that 
he'd immediately destroy all of Dumbledore's carefully laid plans.  

Sorry, it doesn't wash for me. If DD can be so trusting of others, 
even former DEs, to give them second chances, then surely he'd show 
at least a modicum of trust in one of his own soldiers to explain why 
it was imperative for Harry to spend a certain amount of time, even 
the majority of his time, living with his blood relatives.  We know 
that DD can be somewhat manipulative - don't you think that Sirius' 
feelings of guilt over the deaths of James and Lily would have given 
Dumbledore a gigantic keyboard of buttons to push to make sure Sirius 
accepted his decision that Harry had to live with the Dursleys? 

Maybe I still have a naive, altruistic world-view, but I think there 
are things that are simply wrong.  Leaving a person in prison when 
you can prove their innocence is wrong. If presenting the evidence 
for their innocence and release causes complications in your plans, 
tough darts.  Find another way.

Marianne