Name- Sirius Black
Pronunciation- serious, not SI-ree-us.
Name meaning – Sirius is both a constellation and the brightest star in the sky. In legend Sirius was the name of Orion the Hunters faithful dog, when the Gods made Orion a place in the heavens, Sirius followed him, and can be found just below him. If you find the three stars of Orion’s belt, follow where they point to the left,just across from the belt than you will find a large bright object, that looks big enough to be a planet, but it will be twinkling rapidly, this is Sirius. Its name is Greek, and comes from the word “seiros” which means “scorching light”. The when Sirius appeared in the night sky (usually around June 21) it was blamed for the burning heat that arrived with it, this is where we get the phrase “the dog days of summer”. However in ancient Egypt it was worshipped, it was said to be the home of the most widely worshiped Goddess, Isis, and the spirits of the dead ascended to this star, and to Isis’ home. Sirius’ name is not only reflective of his Animagus talent, but also of his personality. His first name is the brightest star, yet his last name is black, this seems to reflect his extreme personality.
Age- 35 (Rowling has said he was around 21 when he went to Azkaban)
Birthday- unknown, but judging from his personality he is a textbook Leo, this would make his birthday anywhere between July 23 and August 22.
Hogwarts years – there are all sorts of dates flying around out there as the books are not specifically dated, to avoid confusion I’ll go with the dates most commonly used. 1971-1978.
House – Gryffindor (this has been confirmed)
Eyes – this is a tricky subject for Sirius fans. Rowling never clearly says, she describes them only as “deadened and haunted” , “pale” and “fathomless”. Rowling has said that they are in fact gray, but most fans tend to say ice blue or pale green.
Hair- Jet black. If he has any grays that Rowling would have mentioned it, as she does with all her characters. When his life his going well he seems to wear it short, but when he’s depressed seems to wear it long and unkempt.
Past relationships – James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew (friends), Rebus Hagrid (friend and possibly mentor.) Regulus Black (brother). No known romantic relationships, Rowling has confirmed that he never married.
Build: tall, probably around 6'1, and, since Azkaban, skeletally thin.
Appearance: very handsome back in his youth. According to the book illustrations, which for the most part are fairly accurate he has a very thin and angular face, with high cheek bones. But since Azkaban his beauty was robbed way and now is very gaunt and pale, and has waxy skin, each common trait for an Azkaban inmate. His eyes have sunken back into his head and peer out through deep shadows; his eyes are the only feature about him that ever seems alive. Has thin, claw like hands, probably with long, dirty nails. Wears only black and gray.
Tattoos/Scars: this is tricky subject, going by the book he dosn't have any known scars and tattoos. But if you go by the movies he's covered in tattoos. I decided to go ahead and list the ones I know about, as his character does seem like the type to get tattooed. There is the odd symbol pitchfork like symbol in the center of his chest, this could be some sort of arcane protective symbol, or perhaps a sign that all prisoners of Azkaban are marked with. Surronding this tattoo there look to be runes. On his right collar bone he had a series of runes and numbers, this is his prisoner number ( the rune Peorth, the rune Algiz, and the number 390) which raises the question as to if these tattoos are something all dangerous prisoners are marked with in case of escape. On the left side of his chest he appears to have runes in spiral shapes. A bit lower on his chest he has more tattoos that look to be runes but the only one I can distinguish is Feoh, the rune of the Gods. There are also tattoos on both of his hands but I cannot see them clearly.
Personality – There is no gray area when it comes to Sirius. He is one or the other, good or evil, love or hate, everything he comes across in life he categorizes into one of these sides, for example he loves Harry and would do anything, even risk being caught and thrown back in Azkaban, to help him, but as for Severus Snape, he hates and has even attempted to kill him (but as for weather or not he did this internally is up for debate.). Sirius is very quick tempered; you never know exactly what he’s thinking, and when he’s going to snap (this probably something he’s always had but got infinitely worse in Azkaban). He never thinks things through, never worries about the consequences or complications; he just acts on his impulses and emotions. He is quite contradictory, he says “If you want to know what a man’s like take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” But in the next book he treats Kreatcher like a slave, Sirius is quite good at observing and giving life changing advice, but the person he is giving it to cannot take it to heart as he doesn’t demonstrate in his life. He can be infinitely cruel, ruthless, stubborn, and in his youth haughty and egotistical. However the good in his character far out weighs the bad, as Sirius is, in my opinion, the most compassionate and loyal character in Harry Potter’s entire world. When he loves someone, than he is willing to do whatever that person where to ask of him, he would give the world to them. He becomes a fierce protector to any one he knows and respects, and more often then not he will play guardian to that persons other loved ones as well, he is more than willing to die for those he loves and what he believes in. To him there are plenty of things worth dying over. His determination, ambition and endurance reaches almost otherworldly levels, he is a natural born leader. He is also intelligent, and very powerful Wizard, not just anyone can become an Animagi. Most of this power he channels from his powerful personality. Although he does give advice he does not act upon himself he has only good intentions in mind, he’ll thinks of others before himself. Sirius is also very generous, rebellious, but for all the right reasons and a natural fighter. He loves to be around children and makes for a very strong father figure. Sirius is also a prankster at heart; he wreaked havoc while at Hogwarts, and delights in causing trouble, and making people laugh. The Sirius we know now still has traces of this playful spirit, occasionally he will provide some comic relief, the Marauder in him hasn’t completely died.
