Old Question (probably already answered) about Black and wands

[Cathy Drolet]

No: HPFGUIDX 113005

macfotuk said:
"Are there any theories out there I haven't seen about why Sirius 
laughed? It certainly seems to have been what damned him, in the 
mind'seye of the WW, to all those years in Azkhaban (see Ernie Prang 
and Stan Shunpike's convo on the Knight Bus). 

Could Pettigrew have hexed Sirius just before blasting a hole into 
the sewer by which he escaped as scabbers? (I don't recall a mad 
laughter spell), but there is a mad/uncontrollable dancing 
(tarantallegra) spell after all."

DuffyPoo:
Well, there are Cheering Charms.  "Professor Flitwick did indeed test them on Cheering Charms.  Harry slightly overdid his out of nerves, and Ron, who was partnering him, ended up in fits of hysterical laughter and had to be led away to a quiet room for an hour..." (PoA)

I think Sirius was laughing because he realized "weak, talentless" Peter had really got one over on him.  Accused him of betraying James and Lily Potter (to a streetfull of Muggles.  Why would they care?  There is something all too weird about this and Fudge being "Johnny-on-the-spot" as well - showing up while Sirius was still laughing.), then cutting off his own finger, blowing apart the street, transforming into a rat and disappearing all before Sirius had a chance to draw his wand.  

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