[HPforGrownups] Re: looong - musings on Dumbledore - Even Longer

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 158664

James:

> He does nothing about a man being sent to Azkaban without trial, he
does nothing to free said convict when he learns the man is innocent. 

Hickengruendler:

Sure he does. He tells Harry and Hermione to use the Time Turner. 
Granted, the best thing he could probably have done was using the 
Time Turner himself. But maybe *this* actually was some training for 
Harry's later mission, just like the tasks at the end of PS might 
have been. And again, I find it problematic to think that he's 
almighty. He might be the most powerful wizard, but he has not the 
power to overrule Barty Crouch senior's decisions. How many people 
did go to Azkaban without a trial? Why should Dumbledore help Sirius 
and not the other ones. Maybe Dumbledore wanted Crouch to give fair 
trials to everyone and Crouch simply refused. 


Sherry:

I would agree with you, except for one very important fact.  It was the mere
word of Dumbledore that kept Snape out of Azkaban.  All Dumbledore had to do
was to stand up and declare that Severus Snape was not a death eater, and
the whole wizengamut took his word for it.  Some of them may have continued
to suspect Snape, but noone dared speak against the word of Dumbledore.  I
find it impossible to believe that he could not have determined the truth in
the matter of Sirius Black and have spoken that one word on his behalf too.
It was not like in the Fudge Era.  Dumbledore was powerful and respected,
and apparently, everyone followed his lead and took his word on such
matters.  He did it for Snape but could not, would not do it for Sirius?
Hmmm.  Seems rather suspicious to me.

Sherry