Another werewolf question.

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No: HPFGUIDX 37183

Enjoying the very spectacular full moon of the last week got me 
pondering on this werewolf thing. I admit I am very hazy on the 
mythology surrounding werewolves but when I thought about it I found 
Lupin's condition was perhaps a bit inconsistently described.

When the crew leave the Shrieking Shack, Lupin only transforms IIRC 
when the moon appears from behind a cloud and the light of the moon 
falls upon him. When the moon was hidden by cloud, as it was 
presumably during his initial dash to the SS and during all the 
ensuing dialogue, Lupin was his normal self. Yet we know he 
wasn't 'safe' as he hadn't had his potion.

If it takes acutal exposure to direct moonlight to cause Lupin to 
transform why was it such a problem? All he would have to do to 
aviod transformation would be to stay inside and keep any windows 
shuttered or heavily curtained. There would be no need for all those 
elaborate precautions about the SS while he was at school and no 
need to plant such a vicious specimen as the Whomping Willow. Not 
nearly so much fun to read about of course. However most of the 
other times when Lupin's lycanthropy is described it is certainly 
implied if not stated directly that he is dangerous throughout the 
period of the full moon and even after the discovery of the potion 
transforms into a wolf for the period whether or not he is bathed in 
moonlight. I presume when he is curled up a 'harmless wolf' in his 
office during PoA he isn't doing so always in the light of the moon. 
Even if there are no curtains or sutters on the castle windows, 
believe me there are many cloudy nights in the Scottish climate when 
the moon, whether full or not, is well hidden. So is JKR being 
inconsistent here or am I missing something about the nature of 
werwolves? Any thoughts?

Mercia