[HPforGrownups] Re: Was Lupin there when Lilly died?

[elfundeb]

No: HPFGUIDX 45820


  I said:

  In ch. 19, in answer to 
  Pettigrew's attempt to convince Lupin that Sirius must be lying 
  because he would've told Lupin about switching Secret-Keepers, Lupin 
  says it was because Sirius suspected Lupin of being the spy.  Sirius 
  asks forgiveness, and Lupin then states, "And will you, in turn, 
  forgive me for believing you were the spy?"
  > 

  And Marina responded:

  But this doesn't indicate that Lupin suspected Sirius before the 
  Potter's deaths, does it?  Like Barb, I interpreted Lupin's words to 
  mean that he believed in Sirius' guilt once Sirius was arrested, not 
  that he had any suspicions beforehand.  I can see how it could be 
  interpreted either way, though.  And either scenario would give 
  Lupin more than sufficient cause for guilt.
Me again:

The reason I think Lupin suspected Sirius before the Potters' death is that from the context, it's clear that Sirius suspected Lupin before then (or he would have told Lupin of the change), and the apology seems to be reciprocal, i.e., both relating back to the same time.  The reason an apology appears to be needed is that each believed the other to be the spy at a time when they were nominally friends with one another and, more importantly for purposes of betrayal, with James.  For either to suspect the other of treason is a very grave matter and each wronged the other by their mutual distrust.  I guess I favor my interpretation because I don't think Lupin needs to ask forgiveness for believing Sirius was the spy after Sirius, who to his knowledge was the Secret-Keeper, was captured and was reported by eyewitnesses as having killed Pettigrew.

Debbie
defender of Lupin


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]