Debatable ethical issues in OotP and HBP

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 142424

> Carol responds:
> I'm not saying that his decision to go to the MoM was a bad one in
> and of itslef; just that Snape told him to wait for Dumbledore and
> had he done so, he would not have been killed. <snip>I'm sure that
> he felt he was doing his duty and finally getting a chance to help
> Harry and the Order, but it's unclear whether his presence made any
> difference. 

Jen: Oh, Sirius going to the MOM (and showing up back at Hogsmeade 
in GOF) made a huge difference, we just haven't found out why 
yet. ;) He was acting on an even greater loyalty in those events, I 
suspect, than his loyalty to Dumbledore and the Order.

Not only did JKR promise there was a reason why he died, she also 
dangled this little tidbit out there: "At the time that they 
christened Harry, they were in hiding. This was not going to be a 
widely attended christening, because he was already in danger. So 
this is something they were going to do very quietly, with as few 
people as possible, that they wanted to make this commitment with 
Sirius. And — yeah. Can't say much more." (TLC/MN interview)

Sirius being named Godfather could mean so much more than just a 
ceremonial title, and actually more than being a guardian as well. 
James and Lily didn't have the luxury most of us have when choosing 
a Godparent/guardian, of never really believing the job will be 
fulfilled. And Harry wasn't just *any* baby, he was already 
considered to be one of the Chosen Ones and in great danger, and 
Sirius wasn't just any guardian, he was magically powerful as a 
young man, completely resistant to the pull of the dark arts and 
intensely loyal to James, Lily and Harry. 

So I think that Godparent ceremony will turn out to be yet another 
magical security blanket Harry received, activated when Sirius died 
defending him. Dumbledore wouldn't even have to be aware of it, 
although if he was, it might explain why he wanted Sirius to stay at 
Grimmauld and alive. Dumbledore probably would have felt Harry's 
bond with Sirius was more important to his power than any magical 
protection offered by Sirius' death. My best guess is DD just didn't 
know. Lupin does though, I'd bet and will be the one to fill Harry 
in. Possibly he will even go with the Trio to visit Godric's Hollow? 
(That would please me immensely, to see Lupin have a chance to put 
some of his painful past behind him). 

I do think Sirius was thinking of his loyalty to the Potters rather 
than defying Dumbledore when he went to the MOM that night, FWIW.

Jen