Lupin is James

[sharana.geo <sharana.geo@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48831

Hi. This is my first post (so please be kind), although I subscribed 
about 2 or 3 months ago. I've been overwhelmed by so many messages. 
I apologize in advance for my English, it is not my primary language 
(it's Spanish). 

I've been searching to see if this has been brought up before, but 
from what I've read, I conclude it hasn't. (Please correct me if I'm 
wrong). Although I admire the ability to write in TBAY style, I 
don't have the patience to read it (sorry!).

After rereading the books, and other books related to Potterverse, a 
thought struck me. I reread PoA to see if it is plausible, and it 
seems to be. The more I think about it, the more I believe it is 
true... 

I believe that before the night Voldemort was defeated, Remus and 
James switched bodies without telling anyone (except Lily) and that 
it was Remus who died, not James. James lives in Remus's body. 

Why do this? Maybe it was a way James could protect his family from 
the outside without giving himself away. Who would suspect such a 
thing? Maybe James was hoping to track down the spy. Maybe James 
wanted an alternate plan to the Fidelius Charm, just in case Sirius 
was forced to reveal where were the Potters. (I assume that when 
Sirius suggested to change himself for Peter, he was talking to 
Remus, not James, without knowing)

How did they switch? It's possible they used the Switching spell. We 
really don't know much about it. Maybe the ability of changing 
bodies completely is a very high form of using the Switching spell, 
or maybe they combined the Switching Spell with some other spell. We 
know Sirius and James were top students and very talented. Anyway, 
somehow they managed to switch bodies. Later Remus posing as James 
(I'll call him FakeJames or RealRemus) was with Lily the night 
Voldemort attacked, he died making it impossible for RealJames 
(FakeRemus) to switch back to his body.

The truth is, and it seems to me that everyone agrees by what I've 
read on other posts, that Lupin is a mysterious character in the 
sense that there is more to him that we know about 

Let's analyze the canon concerning Lupin in PoA (US paperback 
edition):


Ch 10: Marauder's Map. (Pages 187-188)
"When they get near me--" Harry stared at Lupin's desk, his throat 
tight. "I can hear Voldemort murdering my mum". Lupin made a sudden 
motion with his arm as though to grip Harry's shoulder, but thought 
better of it.

This arm's motion has been discussed a lot. It's obvious Lupin was 
affected by what Harry said, even more if Lupin is really James... 
Maybe he didn't grip Harry's shoulder afraid of losing control of 
his emotions. 



Ch 11: The Firebolt. (Page 229)
Professor Trelawney speaking about Lupin at the Christmas 
dinner: ..." He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for 
him..." (Later Dumbledore politely puts an end to this conversation.)

One would think Lupin fled Trelawney wanting to hide the fact that 
he is a werewolf, but Lupin says at the Shrieking Shack that the 
whole staff knew he was a werewolf when Dumbledore hired him: 

Ch 17: Cat, Rat and Dog, (Page 346): 
"Dumbledore hired you when he knew you were a werewolf?" Ron 
gasped, "Is he mad?". "Some of the staff thought so," said 
Lupin. "He had to work very hard to convince certain teachers that 
I'm trustworthy".

So maybe Lupin was trying to hide that he's James, or he could be 
avoiding Trelawney because he doesn't stand her the same way 
McGonogall does. :-)  Curiously Dumbledore put an end to the 
conversation... Hmmm...



Ch 12: The Patronus. Harry's first Patronus day lesson
First try (page 239):
"It's getting worse," Harry muttered "I could hear her louder that 
time - and him - Voldemort". Lupin looked paler than usual.
Second try (pages 240-241):
"I heard my dad," Harry mumbled. "That's the first time I've ever 
heard him - he tried to take on Voldemort himself, to give my mum 
time to run for it" ...  "You heard James?" said Lupin in a strange 
voice.

These reactions have been analyzed. Some say that the paler look is 
by hearing Voldemort's name, but he himself uses Voldemort's name 
without problem (which is something that caught Harry's attention. 
Ch 8: Flight of the Fat Lady. Page 155). The pale face and the 
strange voice could be explained by the fact that James (FakeRemus) 
is trying hard to control his emotions hearing his son speak of his 
wife's death, maybe at the same time he is also realizing (or 
receiving proof) that RealRemus was not the one who betrayed him, as 
he hears Harry say that who he thinks is his father offered his life 
to give Lily time to escape.



Ch 13: Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. Page 263. Harry just won the 
Quidditch Cup after using the Patronus Spell on the fake Dementors 
"That was quite some Patronus," said a voice in Harry's ear. Harry 
turned around to see Professor Lupin, who looked both shaken and 
pleased.

Shaken probably because Harry's Patronus is a stag, as is James 
Patronus and Animagus form (which at that moment Harry didn't know)



Ch 17: Cat, Rat and Dog. Page 343
The door of the room burst open in a shower of red sparks and Harry 
wheeled around as Professor Lupin came hurtling in the room

OK, red sparks suggest a true Gryffindor. But if you believe the 
Potters are Godric Gryffindor's heir, it could be a clue!



Ch 17: Cat, Rat and Dog. Page 343
Then Lupin spoke in a very tense voice. "Where is he, Sirius?" ... 
Black's face was quite expressionless. For a few seconds he didn't 
move at all. Then very slowly he raised his empty hand and pointed 
straight at Ron. ... 
"But then...," Lupin muttered, staring at Black so intently it 
seemed he was trying to read his mind,"... why hasn't he shown 
himself before now? Unless" - Lupin's eyes suddenly widened, as 
though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the 
rest could see "Unless he was the one ... unless you switched 
without telling me?"
Very slowly, his sunken gaze never leaving Lupin's face, Black 
nodded...
Lupin lowered his wand gazing fixedly at Black. The Professor walked 
to Black's side, seized his hand, pulled him to his feet and 
embraced Black like a brother.

This canon tells us that Lupin just realized it was Peter who 
betrayed the Potters, not Sirius. Now let's suppose Lupin is really 
James. The Brother Embrace makes much more sense (at least to me), 
James not only realizes Sirius was not guilty, he embraces him as 
his very, very best friend, the one who is Harry's godfather and was 
his best man at his wedding. 

Why did Black nod slowly? Maybe he is puzzled by the fact that Lupin 
wants to know why he wasn't told about the SWITCHING of the Secret 
Keeper (not about the EXISTENCE of the Keeper). It wouldn't make 
sense to tell others besides Dumbledore about who is the Keeper, 
considering the fact that they know there is a spy infiltrated among 
them. Maybe Black is just realizing that Lupin is really James. And 
James knows that Sirius just came to that conclusion.



Ch 18: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Page 355
Lupin is telling the story of how the others became Animagus to help 
him with his werewolf moments. "Well, highly exciting possibilities 
were open to us now that WE could all transform."

Why did he say "we" instead of "they"? Remus does not turn into a 
werewolf at will. It just happens, he can't do anything about it. 
Maybe James slipped or maybe it's just a little typing error.



Ch. 19. The Servant of Lord Voldemort. (Page 365):
(Black speaking): "Harry... I as good as killed them", he 
croaked. "I persuaded Lily and James to change to Peter at the last 
moment, persuaded them to use him as a Secret Keeper instead of 
me... I'm to blame, I know it..." ... "And when I saw their house, 
destroyed, and their bodies... I realized what Peter must've done... 
what I'd done..." His voice broke. He turned away. 
"Enough of this," said Lupin, and there was a steely note in his 
voice Harry had never heard before.

A steely note in his voice... Why not a sad voice? Hearing Black 
really affected Lupin. More than if Lupin were just a friend (seems 
to me).



Ch 19: The Servant of Lord Voldemort. (Page 372-373):
"Remus!" Pettigrew squealed, turning to Lupin "You don't believe 
this... wouldn't Sirius have told you they'd changed the plan?"  
"Not if he thought I was the spy, Peter," said Lupin. "I assume 
that's why you didn't tell me, Sirius?" he said casually. 
"Forgive me, Remus" said Black.
"Not at all, Padfoot, old friend," said Lupin, "And will you, in 
turn, forgive me for believing you were the spy?". 
"Of course," said Black...

The first time I read these lines, I felt there was something wrong 
about the way this conversation was held up. Especially the way that 
Lupin puts words in Sirius's mouth. I'll explain. Lupin is assuming 
a thought that Sirius had and "casually" asks him to confirm it. 
It's like if Lupin is making up a lie (to everyone except Sirius) to 
explain something that otherwise has no explanation and needs Sirius 
to play along with the lie. How else could he cover up the very slip 
that made Sirius realize he is James? Sirius (realizing Lupin is 
James) asks James to forgive him. 

On the other hand, Dumbledore trusts Hagrid completely (trusted 
Hagrid to deliver Harry to Privet Drive when he was a baby). But as 
Hagrid said at the Three Broomsticks (Ch 10, Page 206), he didn't 
know that Sirius had been Lily and James Secret-Keeper. Why then 
would Lupin be told at that time about the Secret-Keeper stuff? It's 
supposed to be kept secret. Other than Dumbledore (who suggested the 
use of this spell), no one else should know about it, including 
Lupin.



Ch 22: Owl Post Again. (Page 424)
"I (Lupin) have no hesitation in saying that James would have been 
highly disappointed if his son had never found any of the secret 
passages out of the castle"

Yep, he has NO hesitation in believing it.

Later (page 425)
"Well - goodbye Harry," he said smiling, "It has been a real 
pleasure teaching you. I feel sure we'll meet again sometime. 
Headmaster, there is no need to see me to the gates, I can 
manage..." Harry had the impression that Lupin wanted to leave as 
quickly as possible. "Good-bye, then, Remus," said Dumbledore 
soberly. Lupin shifted the grindylow tank slightly so that he and 
Dumbledore could shake hands. Then, with a final nod to Harry and a 
swift smile, Lupin left the office.

Lupin was not happy to leave. But he wanted to get out of there 
quickly, alone. It must have been really difficult to say goodbye 
and to keep control of his emotions (especially if he is James).



According to legend, (sorry can't remember which post it was 
mentioned), Remus was killed by his brother (Romulus), or his 
brother's followers. You could say that RealRemus died because of 
the betrayal of Wormtail, whom he considered a brother. I'm not 
stating that Wormtail was with Voldemort at the Potter's house that 
night; I do believe Voldemort was not alone, but if he was alone or 
not, and with whom, is pure speculation. But Wormtail was the spy 
and the traitor.


If James lives in Remus's body, it would help explain how James gave 
Dumbledore his Invisibility Cloak and the key to the Potter's vault. 
Obviously at some time, Dumbledore would know about the switching of 
bodies. Maybe before the switching of bodies took place or sometime 
after Voldemort attacked and killed FakeJames and Lily.


Lupin never makes a remark to Harry about how much he looks like his 
father. It seems a bit weird, considering James was Remus's best 
friend. The first time they spoke (just after the Dementor attack on 
Hogwarts Express), he simply addresses him as Harry, in a familiar 
way: (Ch. 5. The Dementor. Page 86). "We'll be at Hogwarts in ten 
minutes," said Professor Lupin. "Are you alright Harry?". Harry 
didn't ask how Professor Lupin knew his name.



When the Dementor is about to kiss Harry, he is saved by a Patronus 
cast from someone who looked very familiar to him. We later find out 
that it was Harry (in the time loop) that cast this Patronus. But 
how did this loop begin? The time loop had to be created and someone 
else must have cast the Patronus the first time (as Harry was about 
to be kissed by a Dementor). Later, Harry seeking his father, 
assumed that it was him who had cast the Patronus, and it gave him 
the strength he needed to cast the Patronus successfully. Maybe the 
person who cast the Patronus the first time was there with Harry 
without Harry realizing it. Harry and James have the same Patronus. 
Maybe James (Lupin) was the first one to cast the spell (remember 
Lupin and Black separated when the Dementors kicked in). How come 
Black is in human form when he is affected by the Dementor? He had 
transformed into a dog to chase the werewolf, and he said that while 
he was in Azkaban he assumed doggy form so that the Dementors would 
not affect him so much. Why go back to human form? Maybe the answer 
to this question has something to do with James (Lupin) casting the 
Patronus the first time.

Ch 13: Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. Page 265:
He (Harry) had a very strange dream. He was walking through a 
forest, his Firebolt over his shoulder, following something silvery-
white. It was winding its way through the trees ahead, and he could 
only catch glimpses of it between the leaves. Anxious to catch up 
with it, he sped up, but as he moved faster, so did his quarry. 
Harry broke into a run, and ahead he heard hooves gathering speed. 
Now he was running flat out, and ahead he could hear galloping. Then 
he turned a corner into the clearing and - ". Harry woke 
suddenly 'cause Ron screamed.

Harry's dream was interrupted. Harry's dreams are important and 
interruptions usually hide something important. I believe Harry is 
witnessing in this dream the start of the Patronus loop. He was 
chasing his father but didn't get the opportunity to see him, or to 
know what happened next. The clearing may be the spot from which the 
Patronus Charm was cast.





Well, I'm sorry this turned out so long. I hope it isn't too messy. 
It's just an idea that makes sense to me. Of course, canon isn't 
conclusive. But I think it helps explain a few things. We'll have to 
wait for the next books for more information. Your opinions are 
welcome.

I have a question, I learned English when I was a girl (I lived a 
couple of years in London) so some of my English comes from 
intuition. Prongs is a name I would associate with a stag or horse, 
but I don't know why. Could please someone tell me? Also, what is 
the difference between a stag and a horse? Thanks

sharana