Characters

Dumbledore is not infallible, but it really is a little out of character for him not to have thought to search the shack. Even if he did not know Sirius knew about it. He did know the story of Sirius tricking Snape into following Lupin there, so it should not have been too much of a leap. Could Dumbledore have suspected Sirus' innocence? Then again, that would be a little strange. I'd imagine he'd have spoken up about it.


Snape is thoroughly deranged. It is delightful. He really has snapped. Compared to the earlier books it is a little out of character, but I think that is because we have only seen him in conflict with children (where he is the one in power, indisputably), and disagreeing with Dumbledore, where he must submit. This is Snape faced with old enemies from school, people who are on a more or less level playing field, but who had a higher status than him then -- and he has clearly looked forward to enjoying the reversal in status (he is professor, Sirius is prisoner on the run). When this is taken away, or at least not accepted as readily as he would have liked…. I suppose it is also compounded by his having looked forward to saving Harry, thereby getting "revenge" on James, and here too his ideal set-up is thwarted. It is rather well written.

Hermione's reaction to attacking a teacher is very in character. She has been on a bit of a rule-breaking high, I think, but this seems to take her down a little.

Harry… God, I wish Harry would stop shouting. And I know it is a bit early to get fed up with that particular part of his personality (and I know I said I liked it in the beginning of this book), but seriously. I am never having children if they could grow up to become teenagers with issues.

Peter is predictably an unpleasant lump of unpleasantness. But of course that only serves to highlight how wonderfully cool both Lupin and Sirius are (sorry, if I can't go all fangirl at these scenes, when can I?). Lupin silences him with a look, Sirius' contempt is overpowering. I would like to have known what made Sirius think Lupin (rather than Peter) was the spy. I know I am terribly influenced by the Shoebox Project when it gets to this, but it always did seem odd.

But yes. They are both lovely. "Then you should have died" and "What is to be gained" is also very good, I love heroes with integrity and a history. And I suppose it is emblematic of the good vs evil. Good guys don't ask what's in it for them. And as Sirius replies "only innocent lives"… Definite good guy. It is a very clear distinction. Lupin's "Goodbye, Peter" is also very good. Very menacing.

I also like how Sirius bums Snape's head against the roof. I said I like my heroes with integrity and history, but I also like when they occasionally get petty and childish because of that history. People who are too perfect are never really interesting.