Lupin the brave, Lupin the mentor

[xp39c]

No: HPFGUIDX 41891

Amy wrote:
> Why do you think this is the reason he goes to the Shack?
> He says he was watching the Map because he thought the trio 
> might sneak down to Hagrid's hut.  He sees them do so.  Then 
> he sees two  new things, one stunning, the other terrifying:  Peter 
> and Sirius are 
> on the Map as well.  He  doesn't know what to make of the 
> former, and 
> he doesn't stop to sort it out.  He just knows that Sirius, who as 
> far as he knows is a deranged mass murderer intent on killing 
> Harry, 
> is racing towards the trio. <<
 
To which Pippin replied:
> Actually, at that point, Sirius is racing *away* from Harry and 
> Hermione and has already entered the Willow. Unless Lupin 
> thinks that Harry knows a way in, there's no need to rush off and 
> rescue him. If Ron has been taken as a hostage, he's not in 
> immediate danger either. 
> 
> Lupin doesn't give  *any*  reason for his actions. His account 
> stops short of his decision to pursue the Trio.
> 
> He says, " I watched as he pulled two of you into the Whomping 
> Willow--"
> and then Ron interrupts him. When Lupin speaks again, it's to 
> ask for a look at the rat.
> 
> Lupin's motives for going to the Shack alone are therefore open 
> to conjecture. But even Dumbledore, when he has only moments 
> to rescue Harry from a dangerous Dark Wizard, takes along 
> some backup.  He went alone to rescue Harry from Quirrell, but 
> he had no choice there, because of  all the barriers .
> 
> But Lupin goes alone, though we know he can summon help 
> with a handful of powder. Sloppy plotting? Hmmm.

I think that when Lupin saw Pettigew on the Marauder's map, it 
occurred to him that Black might be innocent.  That could be the 
reason why Lupin wouldn't want to take anyone else with him to the 
Shrieking Shack; he didn't want whomever he would have taken with him 
to see Black and attack him before he (Lupin) had a chance to hear 
Black explain his side.

--Hei Lun