Molly, Snape and Sirius (was Re: OOTP observations

[kiricat4001]

No: HPFGUIDX 132714

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at m...> 
wrote:
> > 
> > Amiable Dorsai: 
> > I think jealousy may play a part in her feelings about Sirius, 
but I'm
> > also sure there's more than that.  Sirius, after all, broke her
> > youngest son's leg once.  His actions could have led to Ron's 
being
> > bitten by a werewolf or Kissed by a Dementor.
> snip 
> > And I think she shared your feeling that there was something not 
quite
> > right about Sirius.
> >
> 
> Potioncat:
> And something I've never put together before.  Molly berates 
Sirius, 
> and offers no "respect" for him. On the other hand, she seems to 
have 
> respect for Professor Snape, to the point of re-inforcing his 
title. 
> Snape has no respect for Sirius either. Do you suppose Molly and 
> Severus suspect something? 
> 
> I know Snape and Black have a history, but it's suddenly very 
> interesting to see that Molly and Snape treat Black in a similar 
> fashion.

Marianne:

I think there may be a combination of things going on here from 
Molly's perspective. First, she's had very little time to adjust 
what is probably a deep-seated, but incorrect view of Sirius.  She's 
been told for over a decade that he's this evil mass murderer who's 
actions led to the deaths of Harry's parents. And, now she has to 
take DD's word, along with several children and a werewolf, that 
he's not. There is still no concrete proof that Sirius is indeed 
innocent, so perhaps Molly finds it a little difficult to let go of 
what she's believed is true for so long. Add to that Sirius' 
attempts to assert his position as godfather/guardian to Harry, and 
I think it's no wonder Molly gets cheesed off.

Molly doesn't seem to have any issues with Snape, ex-DE, as part of 
the Order and as a teacher to her children, but he's been a known 
quantity over the years.  He's been vouched for by DD, not only as 
an Order member, but, since he's been allowed to teach at Hogwarts, 
he must be okay. The Weasley kids may have given her an earful of 
complaints about Snape over the years, but, hey, they all got 
through Potions, some of the kids did very well academically, so her 
view of Snape may be simply that he's a tough, prickly teacher, but 
ultimately trustworthy. 

I think Molly is also very aware of titles and position in the 
Wizard World.  Through Arthur's experience at the Ministry, Molly is 
fully aware of the need to curry favor with higher-ups at the 
Ministry. She's also aware that some areas of employment within the 
Ministry are better career paths than others. Snape carries the 
title of Potions Master at a prestigious wizarding school and has 
for years. Sirius carries the title of felon.  I'm sure, that in 
many ways, he is not deemed worthy, in Molly's eyes, of respect.

Marianne