Lily's Letter was Epilogue (was Re: Ron and Parseltongue)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 183525

> zanooda:
> 
> If Sirius was on a long mission and only just returned in October, 
> why didn't he bring the present himself? He was back, wasn't he?
> Why not come and check on his friends after such a long absence? It
> still seems to me that Sirius couldn't come to Harry's birthday,
> but he sent the broomstick instead, right then, in August, and not
> three months later.

Jen: It could be a situation where Sirius sent the broom because he 
couldn't be there for the party but Lily didn't get around to 
thanking him until Oct.  I don't find it hard to believe a new mom of 
an active one-year old didn't get her thank you letter out until 
three months later. :D  She was busy cleaning up messes made by Harry 
learning to ride the broom & dealing with her restless husband, who 
she was stuck with non-stop, hehe.  Plus, bachelor Sirius was likely 
in his element on Order missions and wouldn't wonder why Lily never 
wrote that thank you note!

Evidence against that idea is why Lily didn't mention the thank you 
coming 3 months late.  Not that she had to explain it but it would 
make the timing of the letter match up with other evidence.  And 
wouldn't Sirius have had more contact with them?  He'd at least like 
to know how the Potters were faring and that Harry received the 
broom.  Unless the thank you letter was a formality only after Sirius 
was thanked earlier in person. 

My last thought is why should one detail take so much discussion from 
readers to figure out?!?  It shouldn't imo.  The letter should be 
clear, having a date on the letter for instance to signify to the 
reader when events are occurring, since what's in the letter is 
important for backstory (among other things).  Then nothing in the 
letter or after should refute the date.  It seems easy enough to me 
speaking as an armchair writer/editor/copyeditor! ;)

Jen