Sirius and Prank again? Fools Rush in where Wisemen Fear to Go

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 130357

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Alla wrote:
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> Lexicon places Prank in the sixth year. Is it  because of "Sirius 
> Black showed that he was capable of murder at the age of 16" or 
> other obvious quote which I can't remember now?
> 
> What if Sirius turned sixteen in their fifth year? I sort of share 
> the speculation that Prank may have occurred right after pensieve 
> scene, but if it indeed happens in their sixth year, Severus would 
> have even more time to do a  little research on Remus. :-)

Potioncat:
You know, in spite of the fact that we're missing pieces, we've done a 
pretty good job of getting this puzzle together. I mean, after all, the 
pieces didn't come in one box, but were scattered out over several 
boxes, erm books. 

We learned in SS/PS that James Potter saved Severus Snape's life. Did 
anyone think for a moment that it happened at Hogwarts? Then in PoA we 
learn that according to Snape 16-year-old Sirius tried to kill Severus; 
and later in PoA we learn that there was a joke played by Sirius that 
could have caused Severus to be killed. Finally in OoP, we get a closer 
look at the true animosity between the boys.

At last, via JKR's website, we learn that both Severus and Remus were 
16 by OWLs. Now, if the age is specific--a clue tossed out by JKR--then 
the prank could have happened in 5th or 6th year.(Depending on when 
Sirius' birthday is.) By Harry's time, there was a week of school left 
after OWLs were finished. So if the DADA OWL had been the first test, 
it's possible there was still two weeks of school left, and there could 
have been another full moon before the end of school. There is time for 
the  prank to happen those last two weeks.

Now, what if Severus did suspect Remus was a werewolf? He studies on 
the ways to subdue a werewolf (or maybe even to kill one, that's part 
of the essay he will assign) and he goes after Remus with the intent to 
discover whether he is one, and to kill him if need be. Sirius doesn't 
think Severus knows. Who knows what James thinks? But James pulls 
Severus to safety. Maybe it's really Remus' life James saved, but Snape 
has put a different spin on it. Or, perhaps DD knows that Sirius put 
Severus in danger on purpose, but that Severus was putting Remus in 
danger on purpose and both 16 year-old boys were "capable of murder". 
And perhaps he knows how impulsive a 16-year old boy can be.

The fact that DD downplays the "murder" aspect tells me that he doesn't 
see it the same way that Snape does.
Potioncat