OoP clues? Dumbledore's Statement

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 158347

---  Kemper <iam.kemper at ...> wrote:
>
> > Abergoat writes:
> >
> > ... it continues to baffle me that so many readers
> > aren't bothered by the fact that Dumbledore, head of
> > the highest wizarding court of law, gave 'evidence' 
> > that Sirius was the Secret Keeper. Dumbledore 
> > wouldn't use hearsay, wouldn't say "Sirius had been
> > their Secret Keeper" ...
> 
> Kemper now:
> I don't recall that Dumbledore gave 'evidence' to the
> Wizengamot that condemned Sirius.  I do recall that he
> gave 'evidence' that to pardon Snape.
>
> Will you site passages for me, so that I can look it 
> up? I would like to re-read those sections.
> 

bboyminn:

I think we need to keep Dumbledore's comment in context.
When Dumbledore made his statement that he gave evident
that Sirius /had been/ the Potter Secret Keeper, it is
during the scene in the Hospital Wing just before Harry
and Hermione time turn. That is the time for quick 
summaries, not elaborate and precise explanations of
secondary matters.

- - - Quote PoA - - -
"It is your turn to listen, and I beg you will not 
interrupt me, because there is very little time," he 
(Dumbledore) said quietly. "There is not a shred of proof
to support Black's story, except your word -- and the 
word of two thirteen-year-old wizards will not convince 
anybody. A street full of eyewitnesses swore they saw 
Sirius murder Pettigrew. I myself gave evidence to the 
Ministry that Sirius had been the Potters' Secret-
Keeper."
- - - end quote - - -

Dumbledore is not giving testimony at a hearing, he is 
given a quick explanation long after the fact for the
purpose of getting Harry and Hermione to shut-up and 
listen both to reason and to his suggestion.

One again, I feel that people are taking a generalization
as an absolute all-defining statement, when it is not.

When Dumbledore says 'had been' is he indicating the 
conclusion that was reached based on his testimony or is
he reflecting what he literally said in that testimony?
I say his statement reflects his the conclusions reached
by all.

To the best of Dumbledore's considerable knowledge on 
the matter, every stated and implied intent to make 
Sirius the Secret Keeper was given by the Potters. 
Dumbledore only needs to state with certainty that the
Potters /planned/ to use Sirius for the Ministry to reach
the conclusion that the Potters /had/ used Sirius. 

Also note this earlier conversation in PoA -

- - - Quote PoA - - -
"So Black was the Potters' Secret-Keeper?" whispered
Madam Rosmerta.

"Naturally," said Professor McGonagall. "James Potter 
told Dumbledore that Black would die rather than tell
where they were, that Black was planning to go into 
hiding himself... and yet, Dumbledore remained worried.
I remember him offering to be the Potters' Secret-Keeper
himself."
- - - end quote - - -

'James Potter told Dumbledore that Black' would be their
Secret Keeper. How many times to you have to hear it
before you believe it? And that's what Dumbledore did, 
he told the Ministry what he believed, what he had 
personally been told by the Potters themselves. The
Ministry reached the conclusion that he was right.

Just passing it along.

Steve/bboyminn