Sirius' declaration of loyalty in the Shrieking Shack

[carodave92]

No: HPFGUIDX 139633

> > Alla:
> > I agree, he obviously did not know Peter very well, but are you 
> > saying  that fact makes Sirius' gesture less worthy, whether 
Peter 
> > deserved it or not?
> 
Magda:> Yes, I am.  Because Sirius should have put way more 
consideration
> into what kind of person Peter was.  If he was telling the (rather
> tactless) truth when he said that they thought it would be perfect
> making Peter the SK because no one would have suspected such a
> "talentless weak" thing to be the SK, then he should also have 
known
> that "talentless weak" people can break under pressure.
> 
> And let's remember: it's not primarily his own life he's gambling
> here, it's also the lives of James and Lily and Harry.  If Sirius
> wanted to play dice with his own life, that's his business; but 
this
> was a bigger deal entirely.
>  
> 
>  
<snip>

Now Carodave:
This is the essence of everything we know about Sirius - he has a 
big heart but is rash and acts on his feelings without always 
stopping to consider the consequences.  This is exactly how he was 
erroneously caught as the murderer of James and Lily - had he 
alerted the authorities instead of going after Peter on his own, we 
would have had a different book.  Harry is almost killed (twice) 
when Sirius, as Padfoot, shows up just to see him, with no thought 
to how frightening he may appear to a boy.  And of course, this is 
how Sirius is AKd by Cousin Bella at the MoM, when he was supposed 
to be cooling his heels in Grimmauld PLace.  

Sirius acts out of love.  He has an immense capacity for loyalty.  
He is quick to act, and relishes action. However, he does not stop 
to analyze.  

Sirius *would* have died before betraying his friend Peter.  Had he 
stopped to examine Peter's character (or lack thereof) more closely, 
maybe he would have realized that Peter (the rat!) did not have the 
heart and bravery required to reciprocate.  However, it wasn't 
stupidity - just Sirius being rash.  

And don't forget that no matter what Sirius takes responsibility for 
out of guilt, James and Lily ultimately made the decision to use 
Peter as their Secret Keeper.  By any description, they are both 
bright and have Harry's best interests at heart.  

Carodave, who sincerely hopes all her snipping didn't offend the 
authors, or the post elves!