In defense of DD WAS musings on Dumbledore - Even Longer

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 158732

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Sherry Gomes" wrote:
> 
> Sherry:
> 
> Don't forget, Sirius did not have a trial.  This is probably why 
> people are uncomfortable with the entire episode.  It wasn't that he 
> was arrested and convicted with whatever form of due processes was 
> available.  He was sent to Azkaban with no chance to speak in his 
> own defense, with no chance to call witnesses, ask for someone to 
> perform legilimency on him or whatever. That's a pretty serious 
> crime in its own right.

Mike:

PoA is still my favorite book for content but is the most frustrating 
for logical continuity. When first reading it I had a real problem 
with the whole background story of Sirius Black. In fact, when the  
group was travelling back through the tunnel, I was still not 
convinced of Sirius' innocence, it all sounded like a likely story to 
me. Then, I came to understand that the likely story was how Sirius 
ended up in Azkaban in the first place.

I take you all back to a street in London with 12 dead Muggles and a 
big hole in it. The Muggle witnesses supposedly heard Peter say 
something like, "Lily and James. How could you?" Then the little guy 
gets blown to smithereens. What spell do you suppose the Ministry 
officials thought Sirius used? Peter probably used "Reducto", but does 
that spell do to a human what supposedly happened to Peter (by 
Sirius)? Not by what we've learned the spell does. Are these officials 
supposedly that thick that they don't know the forensics of a simple 
spell? Did they bother to ask Sirius what happened here?

And what about Sirius? Are we supposed to believe that this man bent 
on revenge against Peter said absolutely nothing about what happened 
here? Never even said Peter blew up the street and killed those 
Muggles? Held his tongue about Peter's duplicity? Well, Stan Shunpike 
told us that Sirius just stood there and laughed hysterically and 
continued that way while he was dragged off. Excuse me. Stan Shunpike 
is our source information!! Stan was what 3 or 4 years old when this 
was happening. Oh, and Stan never exaggerates, does he? Sorry, I'm not 
buying this story on logical reasoning. But that's what we're told and 
nobody else refutes this version of events.

But of course Sirius never got to tell his side of the story because 
he didn't get a trial, right? Barty Crouch was so mad that he just 
throws suspects into Azkaban on the word of Muggle witnesses who don't 
know anything about magic. He doesn't even bother to find out what 
happened from the accused, no 'Priori Incantatum' on Sirius' wand, 
doesn't even give him a show trial.

Wait ... he's trying to become the Minister of Magic and he doesn't 
use the chance to make a show of capturing *Voldemort's #2 man* to 
enhance his reputation, show what a good job his DMLE is doing? 
Because he never has show trials to show how tough he is, does he? Oh, 
and a 22 year old former Gryffindor is Voldemort's #2 man, is he? 
Yeah, these people are right on top of the situation. If this is their 
level of competence, how is it that Voldemort hasn't already 
overthrown the Ministry?

Before we even get to DD's complicity in the whole Sirius affair the 
degree of incredulity has surpassed my tolerance level for 
inconsistencies. IMO we just have to accept that Sirius was thrown in 
prison and was stuck there **because JKR says so**. It makes a nice 
story when he breaks out to save Harry from the Rat 12 years later.
Ugh!

Mike