Lack of human affection in books

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 12661

Julie:" It's understandable in Harry's case, the Dursley's
probably touched him as little as possible and I bet
the first hug he ever got was from Mrs. Weasley in GF."

Aside from his parents, you mean, earlier than he can remember.

Julie:" Sirius is sure reserved. He doesn't see Harry, his godson, for 
almost a year and he is all buisness and very nochalant when they do 
get together. Then when Harry comes within an inch of his life against 
Voldemort and is in serious pain you think Sirius could muster a hug 
or a few reassuring words, but no."

Sirius did touch Harry and hold his shoulder while he talked to 
Dumbledore; but remember Sirius has only a limited acquaintace with 
Harry, godfather or no.  He 'knew' Harry for a few hours only before 
he made his escape on Buckbeak, and he's only seen him in fits and 
starts since then.

Julie:"Proffesor Lupin is even worse, I think he has serious intimacy 
issues. He was reluctant to get to close to Harry (to coach him 
against the dementors) and then when Harry needed emotional sopport 
after a session, the best he could do was make a move to reach out and
grab his shoulder."

Is that what a professor does? I never experienced anything like that. 
I know of school systems that forbid teachers to hug or be 
affectionate to students, period.  Are Lupin's intimacy issues more 
severe than Professor Dumbledore's or Professor McGonagall's?  Life is 
not like Leo Buscaglia, and most fourteen year old boys don't get that 
sort of affection from anybody but their parents.