Who Knows of the Death of Sirius

[staceymateo]

No: HPFGUIDX 112703

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mhbobbin" <mhbobbin at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> mhbobbin writes:
> 
> I was rereading the end of the OotP, and what struck me this time 
> was that there were numerous Prophet articles that announced the 
> return of Voldethingy, the revolt of the Dementors, the vindication 
> of Harry, the appearance of DEs at the Mom but not a word about the 
> presumed death of Sirius Black. Not a word.

Stacey here:
Well, according to the MoM and the Prophet, Sirius was still a wanted 
felon.  His status at no time during OoTP changed from wanted 
fugitive with his whereabouts unknown.  By releasing that Sirius 
died, that also opens up the information that Sirius was IN the 
Department of Mysteries and that he was working with the Order and 
Dumbledore.  Since Pettigrew is still "Missing in Action", so to 
speak, Sirius is not considered "not guilty" of the street incident 
in which Pettigrew "died".  Better to not make it a public 
announcement which creates more questions than gives answers.
> 
>  I tried to determine who knew already about the death and it was 
> only the kids who were there or the members of the Order.Draco and 
> his gang don't mention it and they've never passed up a taunt 
> opportunity. So it seems only like a very close circle of people 
> know.
> 
>  With one exception. Nearly Headless Nick knows.  So I'm wondering 
> if Nick was briefed personally by DD, in preparation for Harry to 
> discuss death  with him, or if there is more information available 
> that JKR has just omitted. Like the obituary on Page 6 of the 
> Prophet.
> 
> I suspect it was just DD telling Nick and in confidence. 

Stacey here:
I don't suspect that Nick found out from Dumbledore about the death 
of Sirius.  Without having my copy with me here at work, I am working 
from memory, and in Nick's conversation with Harry, they discuss how 
someone becomes a ghost.  Nick plainly states that the person has to 
be afraid of dying to cling to the living world as a ghost.  Nick 
also states that the person has to unhappy with their life to become 
a ghost.  I can't think of anyone (save Harry) who was more unhappy 
with their life than Sirius.  I think Nick knows this about Sirius 
because he has seen him, and Sirius will become a ghost.

My theory - We will see Sirius return in the final books, but as a 
ghost.  JKR has stated that Sirius is dead.  She has not given any 
information though that Sirius is completely out of the story.