Why is Lupin afraid of the floating silver orb?

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 26889

Heidi wrote:

> > > Which, of course, leads to the question - Why, exactly, is he 
> afraid of the
> > werewolf side of himself?
> > 
> > I also think this is credence for the theory that a boggart can 
> turn into a
> > metaphor for what one is afraid of, but that's just My Humble
> > Opinion...wondering if anyone has new arguments in either 
direction.

Cindy wrote:

> I always assumed that the students thought the orb was a crystal 
> ball, when it was really the moon.  Lupin fears the moon because it 
> is very painful to become a werewolf. 

Also, he's afraid of hurting someone.

> Also, had he sprouted into a 
> werewolf in the classroom, he would have lost the only paid work he 
> has been able to get.  

Which returns us to a very interesting question:  what effect *does* a 
Boggart have on people?

The Boggart-Dementor has much the same effect as a real Dementor: the 
lights go out, Harry (and presumably Lupin) relives horrible memories, 
etc.  Why doesn't Lupin transform when the Boggart turns into the 
moon, then?  My theory is that he would if he didn't get rid of it 
pretty fast.

And what does Lupin's Boggart turn into after he says "Riddikulus"?  
In PoA 12 Harry sees him forcing the orb back into the box, which 
seems like a Flint.  Or maybe Lupin's "Riddikulus" breaks down Harry's 
Boggart but the Boggart instantly turns from some humorous version 
of a Dementor, whatever that might be, to the moon--Harry is dazed and 
could well miss something.  Then Lupin forces it into the case without 
even doing Riddikulus again.

The weird passage in question:

  . . . though Harry's legs felt like water, he was still on his feet 
. . . though for how much longer, he wasn't sure . . .
  "Riddikulus!" roared Lupin, springing forwards.
  There was a loud crack, and Harry's cloudy Patronus vanished along 
with the Dementor; he sank into a chair, feeling as exhausted as if 
he'd just run a mile, his legs shaking.  Out of the corner of his eye, 
he saw Professor Lupin forcing the Boggart back into the packing case 
with his wand; it had turned into a silvery orb again.
  "Excellent!" Lupin said, striding over to where Harry sat.

Amy Z

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 Harry remembered how touchy Myrtle had always 
 been about being dead, but none of the other 
 ghosts he knew made such a fuss about it.
                  -HP and the Goblet of Fire
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