Some Dumbledore ranting/ some Sirius WAS: Re: Harry as godfather

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 179237

> a_svirn:
> Exactly. If it is an ancient wizading ceremony, like, say, 
handfast 
> marriages in real life they it is legal and binding, and no way 
out. 
> Assuming that you could produce witnesses, of course. And Harry 
was 
> names a godfather, not a guardian.  

> Besides which, Black said clearly that he was "appointed", not 
named. 
> Appointed has somewhat more official ring to it.
> 
>  "Well... your parents appointed me your guardian," said Black 
> stiffly. "If anything happened to them..."
> I'd say that the Potters didn't have the luxury of being carefree 
> where their son's welfare was concerned. After all, they did know 
the 
> risks. So it's safe to assume that they took necessary legal 
> precautions. (The alternative is that they were irresponsible 
fools, 
> but that's somehow doesn't look plausible.)


lizzyben:

There's apparantly a wizarding legal system, with a system of 
probate, criminal justice, etc. Dumbledore's will bequests were 
carried out by the MOM, & Hermione quotes very specific probate laws 
on the subject. So, if people can make wills, people can also 
appoint a guardian in that will. "Godfather" is a religious term, 
but "guardian" is a legal term, meaning someone who was appointed & 
chosen to raise the child until the child reaches 18. Usually, 
parents with minor children will appoint a guardian in their will, & 
it sounds like that's what happened here. Sirius says that he was 
appointed to be Harry's guardian, & I believe him. If the Potters 
did apporint Sirius as guardian in their will, they would have 
discussed that with him.

So if guardianship legally vests in Sirius, Dumbledore was actually 
*kidnapping* Harry when he took the child & placed him with the 
Dursleys instead. He did not have the legal right to do *anything* 
with that child. He wasn't the guardian, godfather, or even next of 
kin. He was just the Potters' boss. Of course, it was very 
convenient for DD that Sirius was imprisoned before he could 
challenge DD's illegal actions. 

So, yeah, I think DD was quite happy that Sirius ended up in 
Azkaban. Maybe he even pulled some strings in the Wizengamot to 
ensure that Sirius wouldn't get a trial - in a trial, Sirius could
offer a defense, and maybe the truth would come out. This way, it's 
all neatly swept under the rug, and the Plan can continue without 
obstacles. The proof to me is how DD reacted when Sirius got free - 
he promptly imprisoned him again! Whether in Azkaban or 12 Grimmauld 
Place, DD wants Sirius kept out of the way. He said it was to 
protect Sirius from the MOM, but it's funny how those MOM charges 
were cleared the moment Sirius died. 

And that's not the only person DD let languish in Azkaban. In COS, 
Hagrid was falsely charged & imprisoned in Azkaban for setting loose 
the Basilik. DD didn't lift a finger to help exonerate Hagrid, 
instead he.. uh... dissappeared. (I wonder where DD goes on these 
sabbaticals?) DD never exonerated Hagrid of the original false 
charge, either. Instead, he let Hagrid be expelled & later hired him 
as Groundskeeper. For this DD gained Hagrid's total gratitude and 
loyalty. DD has this way of giving people enough freedom to 
earn their loyalty, but not enough to gain their independence. 


lizzyben