Sirius Hestitates WAS (Sirius as Snape's bully was Snape and Harry)

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 114052

> Feklar wrote:
> >> 1981 Pettigrew confrontation--again, he didn't care that there 
were innocent bystanders. He had to take time to track Peter down, 
so he wasn't in the "heat of battle" when he found him, he could 
have followed and waited, but chose to attack without regard to the 
safety of others. <<
> 
> RL answers:
> > Are we sure SB attacked first? Strangely enough PP had the time 
to accuse him of killing J&LP and then blew up a whole street, while 
SB did nothing. For all we know he just wanted some explanation and 
PP took advantage of his presence to escape (no, I don't really 
think that's what happened, I'm just saying it's too early to accuse 
SB of irresponsibly attacking anyone). <
> 

Kelsey:
> On the note of Sirius vs. Peter: Remember that that day was a very 
emotionally upsetting one. > 
> In my very over dramatic mind, it was just that Sirius was so 
emotional that he wasn't even thinking of the people around him or 
the consequences of his actions. He stuttered for just a moment, 
hesitated in killing Peter (Peter was his friend for many years), 
was overcome, and it gave Peter the upper-hand for just a moment. 

Valky:
Romulus, I don't think you need to disclaim your suggestion, I am 
almost positive that Sirius first instinct was not to kill Peter but 
to find out from him what was going on but he underestimated Peter 
drastically. 

On the day of the attacks Sirius was probably confused about many 
things not least of all the loyalty of the people he called friend 
for so many years. Peter was a weakling after all, and Sirius didnt 
really know the whole story. He may have supposed Peter might have 
been framed and so hesitated to give his friend a chance to redeem 
himself of the situation. Sirius probably didn't *know* 100% that 
Peter was the traitor until Peter turned on Sirius in the alley and 
started accusing him. Then it would have been too late. 

Sirius does overestimate his reflex ability as shown in the OOtP 
fight with Bella, Sirius is quite sure he has it all under control 
and, well, *plays* with Bella, he deems himself champion enough to 
give her a *headstart* he probably did the same with Peter.
I wonder if it really was *mercy* with either of them. I think at 
least given the history between them that it might have been with 
Peter. Plus considering that Bellatrix was *family* it could well 
have been mercy he was showing there too.