Character Summary: Remus J. Lupin

[sarvalsha at dellnet.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 11858

Each of Harry Potter's previous DADA teachers had been different. 
Different in the sense of being separate people and different in the 
sense of being unusual. His 3rd year teacher is no exception; but it 
isn't until the end of the year that Harry finds out how unusual.

But even their first meeting is different. Professor Remus J. Lupin 
travels to Hogwarts on the train with the students. None of the other 
professors had ever traveled this way. Then, when confronted with a 
dementor, Professor Lupin proves to be what the previous DADA 
teachers had not: knowledgeable about the subject. He chases the 
dementor away and provides an antidote to the students.   

When classes start, it is obvious that not only does he know his 
subject, but he knows the way to teach it in a manner which educates 
and entertains his students at the same time. Only those students who 
value appearance over competence do not rate DADA as their favorite 
subject.

He also exhibits a concern for his students not shared with the 
previous DADA, or even some of the current, teachers. He consistently 
provides guidance and support to even the most humble of students. In 
his very first class, he sets up Neville Longbottom for a prominent 
role and success in beating the boggart, ignoring both Snape's and 
Neville's own disbelief in his ability. He also uses his own time to 
tutor Harry in dealing with the dementors.

Professor Lupin is unusual in another way, a way which appears 
important although we do not know why. Unlike a majority of the 
wizarding world, Lupin calls Voldemort by his name instead of He Who 
Must Not Be Named.

>From a personality point of view, one of Lupin's most noticeable 
characteristics is his quiet self control. He doesn't panic,
whether he is faced with a dementor or with Snape waving the 
Marauder's Map in front of his face. He doesn't get angry
even when provoked. He doesn't even take offense when insulted. 
(Although he does get a little subtle revenge by dressing
Neville's Snape boggart in Neville's grandmother's
clothes.) 

He has a wry sense of humor, once teasing Harry about Professor 
Trelawney's tea leaves' prediction of doom. He gets along with
the other staff members, with one notable exception: Snape. It is not 
strange that Snape dislikes him; Snape has disliked the previous DADA 
teachers. But then he had reason: one was a Voldemort supporter and 
the other a charlatan. But Snape's dislike for Lupin is apparent from 
the opening day feast, long before he could have a valid reason. And 
it isn't simple dislike. Snape looks at Lupin with the same loathing 
he has previously reserved for Harry alone.  

But of course Lupin is not perfect. He has a problem with intimacy. 
For example, he is reluctant at first to tutor Harry. Then, during 
one of their sessions when Harry needs a little emotional support, 
Lupin seems to want to provide it but draws back instead. He even 
fails to tell Harry that he and Harry's father were friends at school 
until it slips out during a session.

Then there is his health. He is frequently ill with some mysterious 
malady which leaves him debilitated for days afterward. It is 
obviously having a permanent effect as well since he looks 
prematurely old and grey.    

And like his predecessors, Lupin has a secret. A secret which 
explains his remoteness and his physical frailty. This secret is 
known to the staff at Hogwarts. And to one of the students. 

For Lupin is a werewolf. A fact which has had an enormous effect on 
his life. The physical impact is obvious. But the emotional impact 
has been and continues to be even greater.

Like Harry, Lupin had an isolated childhood. And Like Harry, he found 
friendship and acceptance at Hogwarts. But the secret remained and 
had to be protected even there. 

And even his friendships collapsed under the weight of the prejudice 
against werewolves. When it became apparent that someone was 
providing information to Voldemort, it was Lupin who was blamed 
(although he was unaware of it at the time). 

He is also living with an enormous burden of guilt. Professor 
Dumbledore set up safeguards which allowed him to come to school. 
Safeguards he and his friends ignored, putting themselves and others 
at risk. And now that Professor Dumbledore has provided him with a 
job, he is withholding information about Sirius Black which may be 
putting Harry at risk. He even blames himself for leading his friends 
into becoming Animagi, although it is more likely given their 
respective personalities, that this was actually Sirius and
James' idea.

All of this, the isolation, the fear, and the guilt, could have 
caused Lupin to become an embittered recluse. Instead he is a kind, 
generous soul with a genuine feeling for people, especially those in 
need of support.

His quiet self control has obviously been hard-won. It's an
attribute necessary for protecting his secret. It's also a 
compensating mechanism for being totally out of control once a month.

It is Lupin's quietness and his kindness that make him one of my 
favorite characters and his presence which makes POA my favorite 
book. I'm looking forward to his reappearance in Order of the
Phoenix.


QUESTIONS/ISSUES
1. There has been discussion previously about whether Lupin was on 
the train to guard the students against the dementors and/or Sirius 
and whether he was actually asleep. Those ideas started a thought 
process which ended with this: Why was Lupin hired this year as 
opposed to any other year? Was he hired specifically because of his 
relationship with Sirius? Did Professor Dumbledore use this 
relationship to get his hiring past the objections of the Ministry of 
Magic?

2. Snape provides Lupin with Wolfsbane potion. Lupin admits to not 
being good at potions. How did he obtain the potion before he came to 
Hogswarts? Or did he?

3. If Snape hates Sirius more, why does Snape concentrate on Lupin 
first in the Shrieking Shack?

4. Hagrid created a photo album of Harry's parents by requesting 
pictures from James and Lily's friends. Lupin would have been the 
closest one left. Are there photos of Lupin in the album and if so, 
why didn't Harry recognize him?

5. What does the J. stand for?


Margaret