Sirius's Will

[lls_mutant]

I've posted about this before as comments and such, but never as a "formal meta".



So Sirius did have a will, and Harry got everything. I've seen various theories bandied about, because let's face it- when Sirius has an impoverished friend who's pretty much starving to death from the sounds of it, there'd better be a good reason for why he left Remus nothing. I've seen the "werewolves can't inherit" theory, which may not be far off, because JKR is pretty restrictive legally. I've seen the "everything has to go to Harry to make the magic work" theory, which I'm okay with, too. I've seen the "Sirius wrote the will pre-Azkaban" theory, but that one doesn't work for me as much. And finally, I've seen the "Sirius and Remus weren't really good friends" theory, which I think is bull. Even though JKR's given them a difficult friendship at times, I believe we are meant to read MWPP as a Band of Brothers that went sour, and Sirius and Remus are The Last Two with some sort of unbreakable bond. So for the purposes of this essay, we don't need to assume lovers, but can we at least assume that the "like a brother" part is true?

Anyway. The will.

The question is not "why did Sirius leave Remus nothing?", because after all, even people who like Remus-Sirius friendship are asking that. The real question is "why did Sirius leave Harry everything?", and when you ask THAT, well, the answer to the first one becomes patently clear.

Look at it from Sirius's perspective. Back in the 1980, he made a promise to James and Lily that he would watch over Harry if anything happened to them. Given the political climate of the time, I'm sure Sirius realized that there was a very good chance he might actually have to live up to this promise. Then, in an effort to protect his very best friend and his wife, Sirius devises the Secret Keeper Switch... and it leads to James's and Lily's doom.

Was it Sirius's fault that Peter betrayed the Potters? No. But did Sirius play a role in the tragedy? It's not just Sirius playing the martyr when he says he did. Forget trusting Remus- if Sirius himself had stayed the Secret Keeper, the Potters might have been safe. Harry was orphaned, not just because of Peter and Voldemort, but via Sirius's own mistake. And if hadn't been for Lily, Harry would have died.

Sirius carries a lot of guilt for that action. That's why he didn't try to escape Azkaban earlier- some part of him believed that he deserved it. And when he does escape, look at the lengths he goes to for Harry. He sends him a Firebolt, which is by all accounts a hideously expensive broom. He offers to let this child he doesn't even know stay with him. He lives in a cave eating rats, when he could be on some tropical island drinking pina coladas (or whatever he was doing when he was hiding). He moves back into his former home, something he accurately equates to a prison, and the only reason he stays there is because he knows that his safety is important to Harry. In the end, Sirius gave his life to protect Harry. Sirius is not one for half measures.

So he has a deep loyalty to Harry. He also carries a massive amount of guilt. I think that Sirius left Harry everything not because Harry needed it, but because Sirius needed to give Harry everything he could to atone for his mistake. The fact that Harry has forgiven him doesn't mean anything to Sirius: Sirius has not forgiven himself. He doesn't leave everything to Harry for Harry's sake, he leaves it for his own.

But what about guilt over Remus? one might ask. What guilt? Yes, Remus lost his friends during the first war. BUT the only reason that Remus was left alone was because he was a werewolf. Remus is a personable, likeable guy. (Let's also consider that Remus seems quite adjusted to his life.) Yes, Remus had a hard 12 years, but is that Sirius's fault, or would Remus have had a hard 12 years regardless? And then there's the little matter of Sirius thinking Remus was the spy. In canon, Remus shows absolutely no evidence of resenting that. And why should he? Remus was likely doing something during the first war that made Sirius believe he was the spy (like hanging out with werewolves, perhaps?), and understands why Sirius believed it. Finally, while you might make a case that Sirius had a hand in some of Remus's misery, Remus was an adult, fully qualified as a wizard and far from defenseless. Harry was a one year old child. Harry trumps Remus, no matter what Sirius and Remus's relationship to each other.

So yes, no matter what the relationship between Sirius and Remus, Sirius would have left Harry everything.



Also, from the newest JKR interview: "She made up the rules for quidditch in 30 minutes after a fight with her ex-boyfriend" Hehe, that so makes me laugh, because YES! I'll bet she was ready to play Beater, too. And I so want to see fic where Molly plays Quidditch when she's at Hogwarts, and is a Beater to rival Fred and George. Because you know they had to learn it from somewhere....

Comments

[thistlerose.livejournal.com]

100% agreement.

Also, it would have made little narrative sense for Sirius to have left a portion of his fortune to Remus. Dumbledore would have to have mentioned that in his talk with Harry and the Dursleys, and that would have been awkward, at least in terms of the flow of the scene. If I were Rowling's editor, and given the task of shaving off the inessential, the portioning off of Sirius's fortune is something I'd have red penned.

Secondly, since Remus was living with Sirius during much of OotP, it's very possible he was around for the writing of the will. Remus strikes me as being self-sufficient, and content to be so. He's a loner. I can see him being uncomfortable with Sirius's offer of financial help. I think Remus would insist that everything be left to Harry.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

TOTALLY agree about the narrative sense, which I think is the real reason Harry got everything ;) Sirius's will is a plot device more than an expression of Sirius, therefore it does what it needs to do, which is gives Harry 12GP and essentially the locket.

I also agree with you about Remus, and that's a point I usually make when arguing this. Remus would totally understand Sirius's position, and probably encourage Sirius to do what Sirius needs to do. Plus, let's face it- Sirius can't change the world, as much as he might like to. Any money he leaves Remus is going to be a stopgap, not a solution.

[snorkackcatcher]

Sirius's will is a plot device more than an expression of Sirius

Doesn't that contradict your original point slightly? :) I thought it was spot on the first time -- Sirius feeling guilty and writing a will that gives Harry everything as an act of expiation fits pretty much exactly with his character.

I still think he should have left Remus something, but again not doing so because of the above feeling is very much in character -- he tends to act impulsively and sometimes 'selfishly' in these circumstances without always thinking things through.

Mind you, I don't think it would have interrupted the narrative flow to add a note about Remus -- all it would need is about half a sentence. "I must tell you that Sirius's will was discovered a week ago. Other than a modest legacy for Remus Lupin, he left you everything he owned." Flows just fine. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Doesn't that contradict your original point slightly?

Erm, maybe :) How about that it was a necessary plot device that also fit in well with Sirius's character? :)

I do agree he should have left Remus something. Heck, I had this discussion- or was prepared to- with my husband's best friend. I mentioned something about the will and how "if Howard was wandering around in rags, wouldn't you-" and he just looked at me and said, "he wouldn't be." So really, the whole question goes back much further, I guess.

I also wondered that, aside from money (which would be a stopgap, not a solution), what does Sirius have that Remus could possibly want? Everything Sirius had before Azkaban is long gone or already in Remus's possession. Everything after was either in incredibly bad shape, from his family, or both. And maybe Remus ran off with an article or two of Sirius's clothing, which is all I can really think of, but I doubt Harry wants to know that Remus held on to a pair of Sirius's boxers as a memento, y'know? (I somehow doubt Dumbledore would want to know that, either. And heck, I don't want to know that.)

[shaggydogstail.livejournal.com]

You already know I basically agree with all of this, although I don't think it's wholly about guilt. I also think it's about Sirius' sense of responsibility as a godparent, independently of the guilt he felt about Lily and James' deaths. Lily and James wanted Sirius to act in loco parentis in their event of their deaths, and though Sirius was never able to fully take on this role, he still took it very seriously. Making Harry the sole beneficiary of his will was as natural to Sirius as it would have been if Harry were his own child.

Harry's wealth is neither here nor there. Besides, he may well feel extraordinarily wealthy for a schoolboy, but he speculates that the Firebolt would wipe out most of his money. What seems like a fortune at 16 might not be so if he's disabled in the war an unable to work at 30. Not that it really matters anyway--I mean, parents usually leave everything to their high-earning kids. It's more about what feels right than what's actually needed.

Also, Molly Weasley would be a killer beater.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I'm totally willing to agree about the issue of Sirius's responsibility, too. I just wish people would see that it is totally in character for Sirius to do what he did, and it's not OMG SO HORRIBLE! to Remus, but Sirius putting Harry at the center of his life at this point in time- as he well should, regardless of his relationship with Remus.

And that's a really good point about the Firebolt!

(And she so would. I'd run in fear!)

[medicinal-mirth.livejournal.com]

He doesn't leave everything to Harry for Harry's sake, he leaves it for his own.


I agree completely. It makes total sense to me. I doubt I could have ever articulated it, but I can sit here and nod my head. *g*

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

[sambethe.livejournal.com]

This makes sense to me and is the first time I've seen it articulated as such. It would seem to me that by doing so JKR allows Sirius' property/wealth to be dispensed in an in-character manner (since when does Sirius do anything by halves?) and do it in a narratively concise fashion.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks. And yup- onward and forward, because HBP is long enough! And yeah, Sirius doesn't do anything by halves- he gives everything his all. :)

[krisomniac.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAA I would DEFINTIELY read the story of Molly, Quidditch beater extraordinare!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking I'm gonna have to write that. Maybe for femgenficathon.

[krisomniac.livejournal.com]

Also (I hit reply before looking under the cut) I think that of all your meta, this completely unrelated sentence really made me think:

That's why he didn't try to escape Azkaban earlier- some part of him believed that he deserved it

I don't think I've actually heard anyone voice that oppinion, but it makes perfect sense, of course. So sad...

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I've wondered about that. I mean, he's known he's innocent all this time. He could have escaped. He's known Peter's out there, and been fairly certain he's alive. He didn't escape for his own sake- he escaped for Harry's- he flat-out says so. Why didn't he get out and try to find Remus or Dumbledore and explain? Given how quickly they both believed him, I'll bet he could have convinced them. So yeah, I think he thought he deserved it. Definitely sad.

[thistlerose.livejournal.com]

I've been arguing that for a while, too. Though I guess I never wrote meta. :)

Sirius is a bright boy. He must have figured it out pretty quickly, that, as a dog, he could fool the Dementors and escape. I mean, he says, when Harry accuses him of killing the Potters in PoA, that he doesn't deny it. And later he talks about "What Peter had done...what I had done..."

Poor guy. :(

[lady-nimua.livejournal.com]

Thanks for writing this. the whole leaving Remus nothing really bothered me, and now I understand. I knew there must have been a better explanation then 'he's a thoughtless ass!'. It still sort of bothers me, because I know Harry wouldn't mind to split everything with Remus, and Harry is rich, and Remus has nothing! and if werewolves can't inherit, I know Sirius is smart enough to bypass that law somehow-he's been breaking rules all of his life!

about JKR-She also said she took a great pleasure in creating beaters after the fight!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks- I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yeah, Sirius is way too smart to not let Remus inherit if he so chose. (Really, how hard would it be?) And Harry would probably give Remus most of it if he had the choice. Interesting that Harry doesn't comment or offer, either. That might partly be due to Harry being a typical teen and not really thinking to help an adult (not that that's bashing teens- it's just the way people are at that point in their life, for the most part), but also I suspect Harry understands Sirius's decision on some level.

And I'll bet! There have been days where playing Beater sounds gooooooooood.

[wickedevra.livejournal.com]

Very interesting meta! No time to comment now, but is it okay if I include it in the next sirius news?

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Please feel free! :)

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

Just popping in to say word, especially about the extent of Sirius' guilt. Maybe his family also has something to do with it? Trying to prove that he was never a Black.

And oh word to Beater!Molly! She probably made the other teams tremble in their boots in her time...

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

The family thing is interesting, too. I tend to dismiss that more than I should!

Hehe. Could you imagine a team of with Molly and Augusta Longbottom as Beaters? England wouldn't have gotten flattened in the semifinals if they were on the team!

Hi! I'm new

[(Anonymous)]

Hi!
I'm new, I was browsing around and I read your essay.
I completely agree that Sirius would have give everything he owned to Harry out of guilt, or at least to amend what he thinks was his mistake, the fact is: has he?
In the book Dumbledore said Harry that Sirius left him an inheritance, i.e. the Grimmauld Place House, some money and Kreacher. Dumbledore didn't say that this was all Sirius owned.
Sirius was the last Black, a family with an 'almost royal' lineage. Even if Sirius'cousins, uncles and aunts are still alive and, probably, had inherited something from Sirius' parents' death, is likely that he owned more than a place and some money.
Even so, though, it's hard to believe that Sirius left something value to Remus, unless it was something of an emotive value, isn't it? Maybe he left the rest directly to the Order, or to other relatives... or who know maybe it was paid to the wizard Exchequer as a succession tax! ^___^
My point is, maybe he left something to others than Harry (i.e. Remus) - Well, unless JKRowling hasn't said otherwise (I must confess I don't know what she said about this)
Thank you, and forgive my intrusion.
Moko

[lupinspatronus.livejournal.com]

This is a great articulation. I agree completely with you about Sirius' guilt, and how this explains why he didn't escape from Azkaban earlier. However I also think that finding out exactly where Pettigrew was (when he took the Minister's newspaper) contributed in a great way because he finally had a real, concrete goal and a focus. It wasn't 'I'm going to get out and FIND him' it was 'I know where he is and this time I'm making no mistake.' I guess finding out that Pettigrew was living a relatively comfortable life, albeit as a rat, instead of being on the run from the Death Eaters, might have angered him too and all the more fuelled his motivation to get out of Azkaban.

I agree with you about Sirius' need to atone himself too (in fact I think that he'll never believe anything he did was enough to pay for Harry's loss), but I think it's not entirely about guilt, either. Sirius never leaves anything half-baked. The decision to leave Harry everything seems to me, on first impression, as an impulsive one, and very typically Sirius. Also there is the matter of Remus' pride, which I think Sirius respected deeply. Probably the respect for this even increased after his 12 years in Azkaban, and Sirius knew Remus well enough to know that he'd never accept any monetary help from his best friend.

-rambles-

[yma2.livejournal.com]

Mmm... I like that as a theory I must admit. It does make a lot of sense and besides Sirius must have had enough faith in Harry that he'd share the cash with Remus if it looked like he needed it. He knows that Harry is a generous sort of person 'cos he gave his Tri-Wizard cup winnings to Harry and George (and I don't think it too be a stretch that he would have known about this event. He seemed to be hanging out with those two a lot in the fifth book and would have guessed they HAD to have gotten the money from somewhere.)

[tesseract-5.livejournal.com]

would Remus have had a hard 12 years regardless? probably yes, I'd have to agree

Great logic here, it really makes sense.

[krabapple.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to step in and say that I agree completely, especially regarding your interpretation of Sirius' character.

Also, regarding leaving Harry everything being a plot point, if you are speculator like me, I think it's going to prove to be important that Sirius left Harry Grimmuald Place. There's been much speculation about R.A.B. and the locket found in OotP, and there's something in me that doesn't doubt that Harry being the owner of Grimmauld Place is going to be an important plot device necessary for book seven, even if it's just what gains him access to the house. Which you did say in the comments above, I just wanted to mention it again. :)

[runiebug.livejournal.com]

I think this is an excellent analysis and am only chiming in to offer a side thought: why does everyone assume Sirius did not take care of Remus in some fashion just because Remus was not in the will? Maybe he did not include Remus in the will because he had already made provision for him in a way that passed outside the will and therefore was not subject to public scrutiny? The obvious way in the Muggle world is life insurance, but assuming Wizards do not purchase anything so prosaic, Sirius could have done any number of things: e.g., his flat might have been in both their names, so that Remus automatically inherited the whole title when Sirius died. Sirius might have had some of Alphard's money in trust, and made Remus the beneficiary. He (and James-- or even Dumbledore) might have set up the mechanics for a trust for Remus right out of Hogwart's when Remus couldn't find work. That way money could be funneled to him without anyone knowing it was going to a werewolf. The point is: Remus may live the way he does in part to escape scrutiny and Sirius, knowing him better than anyone else, may have been equally attuned to keeping support for him low profile.

Here are more good and pragmatic reasons:

[myfatbudgie.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed your essay, and it gave more reasons for me to firmly believe that Sirius was still a good friend to Remus even if he didn't leave him a knut.

I'm a little late to this, but I wanted to add that there are pragmatic reasons that absolutely forced him to leave Remus out of the will. Sirius had no choice about leaving everything to Harry.

As I understood Albus Dumbledore's explanation in HBP about how the Blacks passed on their wealth from generation to generation, it was an all or nothing proposition, with the eldest son of the previous heir getting everything and everyone else getting nothing. Even though Sirius used the fact that Harry was his godson, and left everything to him as though he were his son, Dumbledore expressed doubts (which Sirius probably shared) as to whether or not Grimmauld Place and Kreacher would recognize the legitimacy of Harry's claim to the Black estate.

For a start, not only is Harry not Sirius's biological son, Harry isn't a pureblood; he's a quarter muggleborn. Plus, they and everyone else in the Order wanted Harry to inherit the Black estate to prevent Narcissa, Bellatrix, or any other Deatheater or DE sympathizer from inheriting it. Possibly Andromeda could have, but she was blasted off the tapestry. So was Sirius, but he was still the eldest son, and with Regulus allegedly dead, the position was rightfully his. Andromeda never was in direct line the way Sirius was, and even if she were, he'd still be faced with the fact that she was every bit as dicey a proposition for inheritance as Harry for the above reasons.

Considering the importance of Grimmauld remaining under the control of the Order, and the already high risk that despite Sirius's best efforts that the House and Kreacher wouldn't recognize Harry, it make absolutely no sense for Sirius to risk ruining Harry's chances to inherit by leaving anything to Lupin, who was not only a halfblood, but a half-breed! Remus's claim would NEVER have been recognized by the House of Black, and Sirius was smart enough to recognize it, and realize he'd have to accept that fact to reach the goal everyone-even Lupin-wanted, even if Sirius didn't like it. Sirius would naturally want to follow the correct procedure in as many ways as he could when writing his will, considering the necessary risks he already had to take to insure Grimmauld Place stayed out of deatheater control. I don't see this as just a plot device. It fits perfectly with the viciousness of poor Sirius's ancestors and their equally vicious philosophy.