We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.
„
~ Sirius Black teaching his godson, Harry Potter, about the sides of good and evil.
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I DID MY WAITING! 12 YEARS OF IT! IN AZKABAN!
„
~ Sirius's rageful breakdown in the Prisoner of Azkaban film as he swears to kill Peter Pettigrew — His most famous quote.
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We'll see each other again. You are — truly your father's son, Harry...
„
~ Sirius to Harry.
Sirius Black III, better known by his nickname Padfoot, is a major character in the Harry Potter franchise. He is the eldest male Black, one of the four Marauders, and Harry Potter's godfather. He is an also a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
At first, Sirius was supposedly responsible for the murder of Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles, as well as having an involvement in the deaths of James and Lily Potter, which led him in becoming a prisoner of Azkaban. It is then revealed that he was set up by Pettigrew, who betrayed the Potters and framed Sirius so he could escape from his crime. Ever since escaping Azkaban, he's been keeping an eye on Harry to keep him safe from Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
He was portrayed by Gary Oldman, who also portrayed James Gordon in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, voiced Ignitus from The Legend of Spyro and Viktor Reznov in the Call of Duty series. James Walters portrayed the character younger.
Sirius is described as a tall man with long, black hair and grey eyes. Several times during the series, Sirius is stated to be very good-looking and "carelessly handsome" prior to his imprisonment. Harry also noted that as a teenager, Sirius always had a slightly spoiled, haughty look on his face.
His long years in Azkaban made his face gaunt, and lack of grooming resulted in long, dirty hair and yellow teeth. Harry's first impression of Sirius is of a corpse.
Personality[]
As a student at Hogwarts, Sirius was well-known for being a troublemaker, and once mentioned to Harry that he, James, Lupin, and Pettigrew "were all idiots." He said he was not appointed a prefect because he spent too much time in detention with James. Sirius is protective of Harry, but also encourages him to take unwise risks and sometimes — inappropriately — acts with him as he used to with James.
Rowling has stated that though she likes Sirius, "I do not think he is wholly wonderful." According to her, despite being brave and loyal, Sirius is also reckless, embittered, and "slightly unbalanced by his long stay in Azkaban." When asked if Harry has a godmother, Rowling replied that "Sirius was always too busy being a big rebel to get married."
Unlike his parents and brother, Sirius detested the Dark Arts and did not believe in the so-called purity of blood. Rowling has said that Sirius has also proven to "be very good at spouting bits of excellent personal philosophy, but he does not always live up to them." This primarily has to do with his treatment of Kreacher the House-Elf; because Kreacher was a reminder to Sirius of the home he had always hated (and also due to Kreacher's parading of the attitudes and views of Sirius's parents), Sirius is hateful to Kreacher and consistently mistreats him. This in turn comes back to bite him, as Kreacher eventually betrays Sirius to Voldemort, leading to Sirius's death.
Rowling has also stated that unlike Lupin, who is the same age as Sirius and appears more mature in nature, Sirius never really grew up, as he was placed in Azkaban during his early twenties and therefore had not had a very normal adult life. Despite all of this, Rowling states that Sirius's "redeeming quality is the affection that he is capable of feeling. He loved James like a brother and went on to transfer this attachment to Harry."
Abilities[]
Sirius was described as a powerful wizard by Minerva McGonagall, his former teacher.
Sirius became an Animagus at only age fifteen, and was able to turn himself into a large black dog. As he is unregistered, he is able to take advantage of his ability to continually elude the Ministry of Magic. In his fifth year, Sirius held his own against Severus Snape, who "knew more jinxes in his first year than most seventh years."
During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he survived a duel against Antonin Dolohov. However, in the following fight against his cousin Bellatrix, he underestimated his opponent and even openly mocked her, before being hit by an unknown spell that blew Sirius backwards and he disappeared through the veil in the Death Chamber.
Gallery[]
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban[]
Sirius Black's first appearance as a dog.
A new Daily Prophet article reporting where Sirius had been sighted by several witnesses.
Sirius in a photograph with the Order of the Phoenix in 1981.
A teenage Sirius with his friends.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2[]
A young Sirius with Lily and James after they're sorted into the Gryffindor house together.
Quotes[]
Novels[]
“
He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see. Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black.
„
~ Peeves describing Sirius's explosive temper.
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I thought you'd come and help your friend. Your father would have done the same for me. Brave of you, not to run for a teacher. I'm grateful ... It will make everything much easier...
„
~ Sirius greeting Harry Potter for the first time.
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Believe me. Believe me, Harry. I never betrayed James and Lily. I would have died before I betrayed them.
„
~ Sirius's loyalty to James and Lily.
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I don't know how I did it. I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was innocent. That wasn't a happy thought, so the Dementors couldn't suck it out of me ... but it kept me sane and knowing who I am... Helped me keep my powers... So when it all became ... too much ... I could transform in my cell ... Become a dog.
„
~ Sirius explaining how he survived Azkaban.
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If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.
„
~ Sirius's advice to Harry.
“
I don't like being back here ... I never thought I'd be stuck in this house again.
„
~ Sirius's dislike of being forced to remain at 12 Grimmauld Place.
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I hated the lot of them: my parents with their Pure-Blood mania, convinced that to be a Black made you practically royal ... my idiot brother, soft enough to believe them ... They thought Voldemort had the right idea, they were all for the purification of the wizarding race, getting rid of Muggle-Borns and having Pure-Bloods in charge.
„
~ Sirius's dislike of his family and their bigotry.
~ Sirius taunting Bellatrix Lestrange — His last words.
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Harry: Does it hurt? Sirius: Dying? Not at all. Quicker and easier than falling asleep.
„
~ Sirius's spirit comforting Harry through the Resurrection Stone.
Films[]
“
No, only one will die tonight.
„
~ Sirius during the standoff in the Shrieking Shack.
“
You should have realized, Peter, that if Voldemort didn't kill you, then we would! Together!
„
~ Sirius to Peter Pettigrew regarding his betrayal.
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One day, perhaps. For some time, my life will be too unpredictable. And besides, you're meant to be here.
„
~ Sirius desiring Harry to remain safe.
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If anyone has a right to know, it's Harry. If it wasn't for Harry, we wouldn't even know Voldemort was back. He's not a child, Molly.
„
~ Sirius asserting that Harry has earned the right to stand with the Order of the Phoenix.
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Sirius: I had to see you off, didn't I? What's life without a little risk? Harry: I don't want to see you get shut back in Azkaban. Sirius: Oh, don't worry about me. Anyway (pulls out photo and gives it to Harry) I wanted you to have this. Original Order of the Phoenix, Marlene McKinnon, she was killed two weeks after this was taken. Voldemort wiped out her entire family. That's Frank and Alice Longbottom. Harry: Neville's parents. Sirius: They suffered a fate worse than death, if you ask me. It's been 14 years and still a day doesn't go by I don't miss your dad. Harry: Do you really think there's going to be a war, Sirius? Sirius: It feels like it did before. (Harry tries to give him the photo) You keep it. Anyway, I suppose you're the young ones now.
„
~ Sirius to Harry regarding the increasing dangers approaching.
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I was always welcome at the Potters'. I see him so much in you, Harry. You are so very much alike.
„
~ Sirius commenting on the kind nature within Harry.
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Get away from my godson!
„
~ Sirius as he punches Lucius Malfoy during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
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Nice one, James!
„
~ Sirius complimenting Harry — His last words.
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*Pointing at Harry's heart* We're here, you see.
„
~ Sirius's spirit comforting Harry through the Resurrection Stone.
