Sirius Black is introduced in the 3rdHarry Potterinstallment every bit the titular Prisoner of Azkaban, a dark and menacing figure feared past the Wizarding World nearly as much equally Voldemort himself. Anybody believes he's a mass murderer who betrayed Harry's parents to the Dark Side. Only equally the story unfolds, Harry slowly learns that not all is as it seems -- because, in actuality, Sirius was framed and wrongfully imprisoned. The truth of what happened on that Halloween nighttime in 1981 is devastating and one of the most tragic events inHarry Potter.

Like many characters in the Harry Potteruniverse, Sirius had a deeply unhappy childhood. Born into an ancient Pureblood supremacist clan, he grew up as the blackness sheep in his family, especially after beingness sorted into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin. Though his nativity family scorned him and he felt no love for them in return, he found a true dwelling with his swain Gryffindors -- especially in the embrace of his all-time friends, the Marauders: James Potter, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.

Harry Potter Marauders

Remus was secretly a werewolf, a burden that brought overwhelming stress and fear to his young life. Luckily, his new friends in Gryffindor proved steadfast companions, fifty-fifty condign Animagi together in social club to keep him visitor on full moons. Their group overflowed with large personalities; James and Sirius were untouchable gold boys -- handsome, talented and roguish types who enjoyed great popularity amongst the students; Remus, whose lycanthropy had cast a dark shadow over his childhood, was more than subdued and scholarly and generally the group'southward vocalism of reason, and then at that place was Peter, the follower and tagalong, never quite as accepted in the group every bit the other three.  Under the surface of this complex dynamic, tensions and resentments quietly festered for years before somewhen exploding with heartbreaking results.

The brief happiness of Sirius's schoolhouse years ended when the Marauders graduated in 1977, at the height of the Starting time Wizarding State of war. The newly minted wizards immediately joined Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix, throwing themselves into the fight without hesitation. Just the horrors of war took their price on the bail between the four young men, and mistrust crept in -- especially betwixt Remus and Sirius, who had previously been closer than brothers.

When Sibyl Trelawney'due south prophecy near the babe who would destroy Voldemort was unearthed, James and Lily Potter were forced to go into hiding nether the protection of the Fidelius Charm. Originally, the plan was for Sirius to be the couple'southward Underground-Keeper, as in that location was no one in the world James trusted more. But Sirius worried that Voldemort would quickly target him, as his closeness with James was no secret. Without telling anyone, including Remus or Dumbledore, Sirius and the Potters fabricated Peter the Undercover-Keeper instead, reasoning that no one would suspect the mousey little man of holding such an of import part. And this proved to be the nearly fatal mistake of Sirius's life.

Peter, it turned out, was a coward who folded the instant Voldemort turned an middle towards him. Fearing for his life, he betrayed the Potters, leading to their death and the orphaning of infant Harry. Of course, the assault on the Potters' house had famously devastating and unexpected consequences for the Night Lord, leaving Peter in a rather awkward position. With his true main unable to protect him and his betrayal on the verge of existence exposed, he fabricated the desperate decision to frame Sirius for his crimes.

In the hours later the Potters' deaths, an enraged Sirius confronted Peter on a street full of Muggles, only Peter was prepared. He loudly excoriated Sirius for betraying James earlier casting an explosive spell that killed 12 Muggle bystanders; at the aforementioned time, he transformed into his rat Animagus form, escaping unseen and leaving a severed finger behind as proof of his demise. Sirius was left with a dozen bodies, witnesses who had seen the whole affair and nowhere to run.

Peter's plan worked, and Sirius was sent to Azkaban, where he stewed for thirteen long years. The just affair that kept him sane during this menses was his ability to transform into a dog, which immune him to withstand the effects of the Dementors and the noesis that he was innocent. Though he finally escaped in Harry'due south third yr at Hogwarts, managing to reconcile with Remus and form a meaningful relationship with Harry, his life would never return to its former country of true happiness and camaraderie. He was regarded by the Wizarding world as a deranged mass murderer and had to spend his remaining years in hiding, though he itched to contribute to the fight against Voldemort.

The story of Sirius's framing and imprisonment is one of the most heartbreaking plot threads in the serial. Though his name was never publicly cleared while he was live, those closest to him -- Harry, Remus and the remainder of the Order of the Phoenix -- knew the truth and protected him throughout his final years. Through all his trials, he remained loyal to those he loved, displaying moral integrity and stunning internal strength. Information technology's no wonder he's ane of the most love characters in theHarry Potter universe.