How Did Sirius Black Get the Firebolt? Unraveling the Mystery of Harry’s Gift
The burning question of how Sirius Black, a fugitive wizard on the run, managed to procure the coveted Firebolt broomstick for his godson, Harry Potter, has fascinated fans for years. The answer, while straightforward, highlights both the unique aspects of the wizarding world and Sirius’s deep affection and guilt for his missed years with Harry.
Essentially, Sirius Black ordered the Firebolt through a wizarding mail-order system, utilizing owl post. As a wanted criminal, he couldn’t simply walk into a shop. Instead, he entrusted the task to Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks, a creature with remarkable intelligence partially due to being a Kneazle. Sirius penned a letter, attached the order and payment to Crookshanks who, as he explained to Harry in a subsequent letter, delivered it to the Owl Office. The money for this extravagant gift was taken directly from Sirius’s own vault at Gringotts, the wizarding bank. This illustrates a key point: the Goblins, who manage Gringotts, appear to prioritize a customer’s right to their money regardless of their legal status in the wizarding community. This implies a complex understanding of ownership and rights within their unique society.
The Significance of the Firebolt Gift
More Than Just a Broomstick
The Firebolt wasn’t just an ordinary broom; it was the most advanced and fastest broomstick on the market, a significant upgrade from Harry’s Nimbus 2000. This extravagant gift from Sirius was deeply symbolic. He felt profoundly responsible for the thirteen years Harry had spent without his parents and therefore without a godfather’s presence. By gifting the Firebolt, Sirius tried to make up for that lost time and express his love and regret. It was, in a way, a symbol of his commitment to protect and support Harry in his new life.
Furthermore, the Firebolt was specifically a professional Quidditch level broom. In addition to acknowledging Harry’s prowess as a seeker, the gift also showed Sirius understood Harry’s interests and what he needed. A less extravagant gift would have perhaps been met with gratitude, but not the type of awe and excitement that the Firebolt elicited, a true representation of Sirius’s desire to be a proper, meaningful godfather.
Why the Mystery?
Hermione’s Suspicions and McGonagall’s Intervention
The mystery surrounding the delivery of the Firebolt was caused by Hermione’s intense suspicion. At this point in the story, Sirius was still believed to be a dangerous and wanted criminal. Hermione, concerned for Harry’s safety, immediately suspected the broom was cursed by Sirius, an act that reflects her dedication to Harry’s safety, but also highlights her cautious nature. She alerted Professor McGonagall about the anonymous gift, who then confiscated the broom to conduct thorough safety checks. This precautionary measure ensured that Harry would not use a potentially harmful broom. McGonagall’s actions also demonstrate the school’s commitment to student safety above all, even when it involves delaying gratification.
Sirius’s Clandestine Operations
The very nature of how Sirius acquired and gifted the Firebolt demonstrates the desperate measures he was taking while on the run. Using a cat and the wizarding postal system was necessary given his fugitive status. This also emphasizes the fact that while the wizarding world had the ability to catch him, Sirius was clever enough to operate within it without getting noticed and, when necessary, going undetected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Sirius Black and the Firebolt:
1. Why didn’t Draco Malfoy buy a Firebolt?
While the Malfoys were undoubtedly wealthy, Draco Malfoy didn’t have the same level of freedom over his family’s fortune as Sirius. At Hogwarts, Draco received gifts from his family, but the decision about a major purchase like a Firebolt was likely not his to make. Additionally, Firebolts were expensive, and many parents, regardless of wealth, might hesitate to spend such a large sum on a school-aged child.
2. How much did Harry’s Firebolt from Sirius Black cost?
The exact price of a Firebolt is never explicitly mentioned in the books. However, it’s commonly understood to be exceptionally expensive, making it a luxury item even for wealthy families. It’s often described as an “international standard” broom, further signifying its high value and high quality.
3. Is a Firebolt better than a Nimbus 2000?
Absolutely. The Firebolt is significantly superior to the Nimbus 2000. While the Nimbus 2000 was once the fastest broom in production, the Firebolt surpassed it with its enhanced speed, manoeuvrability, and overall performance. The Nimbus 2000 was the best of its time, the Firebolt was at a whole other level.
4. Is Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks, an Animagus?
No, Crookshanks is not an Animagus. He is, however, part Kneazle, a magical creature known for its intelligence and independence. This explains his ability to deliver mail and his uncanny understanding of human actions, but not due to being able to transform into an animal form.
5. Who gave Harry the Nimbus 2000?
Professor McGonagall gifted Harry the Nimbus 2000 after witnessing his exceptional talent in flying. She made the decision to break the rules regarding first-year students playing on the Quidditch team in order to make him the Gryffindor team’s seeker.
6. Why did Hermione tell McGonagall about Harry’s Firebolt?
Hermione’s concern for Harry’s safety was paramount. Because she believed Sirius Black to be a mass murderer, she suspected the gift to be cursed and thus she informed Professor McGonagall of the anonymous delivery to ensure it was safe, rather than confront Harry with a theory.
7. Why did McGonagall buy Harry a Nimbus 2000?
McGonagall was impressed by Harry’s natural flying ability and keen on having Gryffindor win the Quidditch cup. She bent the rules to secure Harry on the Gryffindor team after seeing him fly during a class. This is why she got him the best broom available to her at the time – the Nimbus 2000.
8. Was Sirius Black rich?
Yes, Sirius Black was incredibly wealthy. As the last remaining descendant of the House of Black, he inherited a substantial fortune, including ancestral homes like 12 Grimmauld Place and funds left to him by his uncle, Alphard.
9. What did Harry inherit from Sirius?
Upon Sirius’s death, Harry inherited all of Sirius’s possessions, including the house at 12 Grimmauld Place, the house-elf Kreacher, and the Hippogriff Buckbeak.
10. Why did Harry love Sirius so much?
Harry’s love for Sirius stemmed from a deep connection, fueled by Sirius’s close friendship with Harry’s father, James. Sirius often treated Harry as if he were James, creating a strong bond, and as his godfather, Sirius was meant to protect and care for him. Additionally, Harry had never had a true parental figure who loved and cared for him, making Sirius’s love a very important thing.
11. What is Hermione’s secret in Prisoner of Azkaban?
Hermione’s secret is that she had been using a Time-Turner to attend all her classes. She was instructed to keep the Time-Turner a secret by Professor McGonagall.
12. Why doesn’t Hermione use a broom?
Hermione doesn’t enjoy flying on broomsticks. She is openly very uncomfortable with the concept of flying on a broomstick. She has a clear fear of flying, making the idea of being on a broom extremely unnerving to her.
13. Why did Umbridge take Harry’s broom?
Dolores Umbridge confiscated brooms as a form of punishment. In this instance, she did so after Harry, Fred, and George Weasley attempted to attack Draco Malfoy on their brooms. This was part of her controlling measures in Harry’s fifth year, aimed at stifling any form of dissent or rebellion.
14. How did Harry Potter’s dad get the cloak of invisibility?
James Potter inherited the Invisibility Cloak from his father, Fleamont Potter. It had been passed down through generations of their family, originating with Ignotus Peverell.
15. Did Snape jinx Harry’s broom?
No, Professor Snape did not jinx Harry’s broom during his first Quidditch match. Professor Quirrell, under the influence of Voldemort, was the one jinxing the broom. Snape, in fact, was trying to protect Harry by casting a counter-curse that looked like he was jinxing it. This misunderstanding created a very negative impression of Snape for Harry at that time.
In conclusion, the acquisition of the Firebolt by Sirius Black is a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of the wizarding world, highlighting the complexities of love, loyalty, and the burdens of guilt. It’s also a reminder of the unique rules governing their society, the determination of the individuals within it, and the enduring themes that make the Harry Potter series so captivating.