*SPOILER ALERT*
If you’ve ever read the Harry Potter series, you have probably mourned the tragic death of Harry’s godfather in The Order of The Phoenix. Despite dying shortly after being introduced into the series, Sirius Black’s character is a fan favorite. His intimate relationship with his godson, despite momentarily, satiates Harry’s desire for connection with a parent-like figure. However, the details of his demise are difficult to follow as they are shrouded in mystery.
During a battle in the Department of Mysteries, Sirius and his cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, engage in a fierce duel. At one point, Sirius falls backwards through a mysterious veil, separating him from everyone else in the room. Later in the scene, Remus Lupin restrains Harry from going after him and reveals that he has gone to a place where they can no longer help him.
This is where things get even more confusing. At first, it seems as though Sirius had died when he fell through the veil. However, Luna Lovegood (one of Harry’s classmates who had endured the battle with him) mentioned that she had seen him in the Department of Mysteries after the battle had concluded. Her claim led to speculation that he had somehow survived his fall through the veil.
Unfortunately, this theory was quickly debunked. Dumbledore later explains to Harry that the veil is a one-way gateway to the afterlife and that Sirius has indeed passed through it. Despite this clarification, readers still have many unanswered questions surrounding Sirius’ death. For example, why did the veil exist in the first place? What exactly happens to people who pass through it? And perhaps most importantly, could Sirius have been saved if someone had acted differently during the battle in the Department of Mysteries?
These questions may never get answers but nonetheless will continue to intrigue and fascinate Harry Potter fans worldwide. Despite being a tragic and confusing event, it is also a testament to the enduring power of J.K. Rowling’s storytelling and fans’ love for this beloved series.
By Lilly Rose Madani ‘27, Staff Writer
27Imadani@montroseschool.org
