Let's start at the end. While Dumbledore is talking to Harry, after Lupin leaves Hogwarts, they discuss Professor Trelawney and Dumbledore says "bless her". This is a statement similar to one made by Gilderoy Lockhart in the previous story about one of his admirers. This statement is a way of wishing someone good fortune, someone who may especially need it. Dumbledore knows secret things about Professor Trelawney, and yet knows that she can be a difficult person for the students and staff to get along with, so he makes says "bless her" when Harry brings her up.
Now, there is another common phrase that makes an appearance much earlier in the book. Just before the return to Hogwarts, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are having a debate in the Leaky Cauldron about Harry and Sirius Black. Mrs. Weasley says "for heaven's sake" when talking about Harry.
What does this statement mean as a Christian reference within the context of the wizarding world? Well, as a phrase, it seems to be used as a way of expressing frustration. Mrs. Weasley expresses frustration towards her husband, who wants to reveal secrets about Sirius Black to Harry and her frustration is caused by her desire to protect Harry from horrible knowledge about Black. The phrase itself, outside of any context, may sound like "for the sake of heaven", meaning that the person saying it would be making a statement for the sake of Heaven, the eternal good paradise with God. However, in the context, it seems to follow that Mrs. Weasley is just simply bringing the name of eternal paradise into the conversation as a way to make her frustration known.
God
At the first Care for Magical Creatures lesson, Malfoy says "God, this place is going to the dogs". Later, while talking to Harry and Ron, Hagrid says "Gawd knows". Both of these uses of "God" lightly make use of the name. Malfoy uses the name of "God" in a way to express his frustration while Hagrid uses the same name to express his confusion on a matter. Both usages demonstrate that the wizarding community is incredibly familiar with God, familiar enough to be able to use His name in conversation without anyone being confused about what the wizard means when they say "God".
Godfather
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| I know this is from the fifth movie and not the third. There's just wasn't a good picture of these two from the latter. |
The first time that Harry, and the reader, learns that Sirius Black is Harry's godfather is when he eavesdrops on a conversation in the Three Broomsticks and Minister Cornelius Fudge says "Black was best man when James married Lily. Then they named him godfather to Harry".
I think that brings up several questions concerning the nature of Sirius' role as godfather. Was he made godfather just to kind of be a non-related uncle or a possible future guardian? Like, did James say "Hey, Sirius, just in case my wife and I end up dead, do you wanna be first in line of being Harry's guardian? We'll even call you godfather just to make it official. Our only other option is Lily's sister and her husband, and...we'd rather it be you."? Or is this a religious title? Was Harry baptized and by his baptism Sirius was made godfather, to help raise Harry and bring him up in the faith? What denomination was Harry baptized in?
Next time we hear about Sirius as "godfather" is while Sirius invites Harry to come live with him on their return to Hogwarts castle. This helps us understand that the role of godfather in this context is like the first scenario. Sirius was expected to become something of an uncle to Harry and help raise him up if Harry's parents were ever gone. There does not seem to be any religious responsibility when it comes to being godfather. It just seems to be a man outside of a family to be given a title to connect himself with the family.
Compare that with the Catholic Christian title of "godfather". As a godfather, I also take on the responsibility of helping to raise my godson as if I were an uncle or a guardian (I'm technically a cousin once removed, so I'm not called Uncle Keeler or anything like that). However, I'm also given responsibility to help bring up my godson faithfully and to watch over him spiritually. I am called to model my life in a way that brings my godson closer to God and help him along his faith journey. Sirius Black, in the wizarding world, does not seem to have any of this kind of role in his position as godfather.
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