Sirius' Innocence

[Cathy Drolet]

No: HPFGUIDX 112762

IIRC, at the end of PoA, the following people knew Sirius was innocent:
Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lupin, Pettigrew (always knew)
Snape knew but didn't believe it
Fudge may have known but didn't believe it

Also, the following knew Sirius was an animagus:
Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lupin (always knew), Pettigrew (always knew)

By the end of GoF, Snape and Molly also knew Sirius was an animagus (Bill had already left the hospital wing).  Snape still believes Sirius is guilty.  It is also believed that Pettigrew has, by this time, informed LV who has informed his DE's.  I would have thought Pettigrew would have told during the first Voldy War.

But, Dumbledore sends Sirius - in animagus form - to Lupin (who already knew both innocence and animagus), Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher and 'the old crowd' who, I think we can assume meant Dedalus Diggle, Emmaline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, Elphias Dodge, and possibly Aberforth.  Mad-Eye Moody, of the old crowd, was at the school so I presume DD told him.

Wouldn't any of these people be a little more than alarmed if a mass murderer, Azkaban escapee showed up on their doorstep?  The person they believe betrayed the Potters?  In the form of a dog? And transformed in front of their eyes?  Most of these people are magical, would none of them think to stun (at the very least) Sirius until the Magical Law Enforcement Squad could come and get him?

Also, within two weeks (approx. Ron says "It was the first week back after term ended.  We were about to come and join the Order.  Percy came home and told us he'd been promoted.") somebody has convinced Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Kingsley (who is the MoM employee in charge of the search for Sirius the murderer/escapee), Tonks, and Hestia Jones, as well as the 'old crowd,' that Siris is not only innocent, but that Voldemort is back and they need to join (or re-join) the Order to fight him, and that Fudge is a little deluded because he doesn't believe Voldie is back and also convinced Tonks, Arthur, and Kingsley to 'spy' at the Ministry.  

All a little too slick, easy and quick IMO (but what do I know).

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