Lupin's power and trustworthiness (WAS Support for Fleur, Cho, Lupin - )

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 28665

Cindy wrote:

> 
> > 1.  When Lupin transforms into a werewolf, JKR tells
> > us that 
> > Crookshanks starts backing away.  <snip>
>  So if Crookshanks has no reason to fear
> > Lupin as 
> > werewolf, why is Crookshanks backing away from
> > Lupin?
> 

JayKay wrote:

> One possible explanation is that Crookshanks has
> primarily served as a guardian, warning of danger.
> Remus-as-werewolf is a danger to Hermione (and the
> rest of the humans around as well), so his raised fur
> and backing away might be a warning of danger, or
> Crookshanks going into protective guardian mode in
> case Remus-as-wolf tries to attack anyone. 
> 

But where else does Crookshank ever act protective toward Hermione?  
Crookshanks' only act of protectiveness (that I can recall) is toward 
Black in the Shrieking Shack, and Black is in no danger from werewolf 
Lupin.  I can't find my Fantastic Beasts book -- are Kneazles 
protective?

Now, I know I'm pressing here.  But I feel like JKR has some 
more "this character isn't who you think he is" type surprises coming 
in the next books.  She blew Crouch/Moody right past me on the 
strength of only two clues I can identify, so I wouldn't put it past 
her to have this be a "Lupin isn't trustworthy" sort of clue.

> 
Cindy wrote:

> > By 
> > his own admission, Lupin betrayed Dumbledore's trust
> > twice -- once as 
> > a schoolboy, and most recently as an adult by not
> > telling Dumbledore 
> > Sirius was an Animagus with knowledge of secret
> > passageways into the castle. 
> 
JayKay wrote:

> I can see why Remus might not want to go to Albus and
> say, "Gee, I'm sorry, but I've been keeping a Really
> Big Secret from you." It'd be a tough call for me to
> choose between living with the guilt and having to
> admit that I've screwed over the one person who's
> given me the most important opportunities of my life. 
> 

The more I think about what Lupin did, the more I am ready to put it 
in the category of Sirius's joke on Snape -- that is, a huge, 
unforgivable lapse in character and judgment.  Yes, it would be 
awkward to go to Dumbledore and tell all.  But then again, that's 
what being a mature professional is all about.  You have to own your 
mistakes.  It wouldn't be that horrible to admit to Dumbledore that 
he was young and stupid years ago, and he wants to set things right 
now.

As it stood, however, Lupin had every reason to think Black was going 
to hack Harry to bits, and Lupin was willing to let that happen, just 
to avoid a little embarrassment.  Yes, he says he thought Sirius was 
getting into the castle through dark arts, but that excuse is pretty 
lame, really.  All that means is that Lupin is unwilling to risk his 
reputation with Dumbledore unless he's completely *sure* Harry will 
be hacked to bits unless Lupin steps up.  That's not very impressive.

So in a way, Sirius and Lupin have something in common -- both made 
errors in judgment as teens, and neither was willing to admit as 
adults that they were wrong.  The difference is that Sirius' joke on 
Snape has been over and done with for years, whereas Lupin's lapse in 
judgment presented a clear and present danger to his best friend's 
son.  I guess I can't really say Lupin is perfect anymore, although 
I'll always be a supporter.  (Are we sure Lupin doesn't need a 
support group after all?) <bg>

Cindy wrote:

> > But note that when Lupin teaches the Patronus to 
> > Harry, he doesn't ever perform it himself. 
> 
JayKay wrote:

> Why would he need to? McGonagall transforms herself
> into a cat in Tranfigurations in order to impress the
> students on the first day of the third year, but other
> than that, we rarely see the faculty teach by
> demonstration. Madam Hooch doesn't get on a broom.
> Severus doesn't brew potions along with the students;
> he oversees them. Same thing for the Transfiguation
> and Charms classes we've seen for the most part, IIRC.
> 

All true, but we do see plenty of hands-on teaching.  Lupin fends off 
the boggart.  Trelawney Sees with the students <snigger>.  Moody 
certainly likes to demonstrate rather than describe.  I think I 
recall McGonagal demonstrating how to change something into something 
else.  Hagrid certainly gets up close and personal with the skrewts.  
Still, maybe it's hard to draw a conclusion about whether Lupin could 
do a fully formed Patronis, though, because we just don't have enough 
info.

Cindy (starting to wonder whether all of this werewolf prejudice 
might have just a teeny, weeny basis in fact)