Is Lupin Doomed?

[Moonstruck]

No: HPFGUIDX 44622

I seem to have a horrible track record with my HP
preferences. First, my hopes hope for a H/Hr pairing
grow dimmer every day. Now, as I reread PoA, I can't
help but notice several clues (which go along with
others I'd all ready culled) pointing to the immanent
death of Remus Lupin, who I desperately adore. 

It's common knowledge that there will be more,
higher-profile deaths in the remaining three books of
the series. JKR has commented that Lupin will be back
in OoP and I've heard (whether it's been confirmed or
not, I'm unsure) he'll play a large roll in Book 7, so
if he does die, I don't think it will be until the end
of the series -- a small consolation.

Anyway, here's why I think Lupin is a marked man:

* The obvious clue is the Remus/Romulus myth. As I'm
sure every true HP fan knows by now, the twins founded
Rome, but disagreed on who would rule. Being alpha
males, their solution was, of course, to fight to the
death. Romulus kills Remus. It follows, then, that the
obvious fate for Remus Lupin is death. After all, JKR
could have just as easily named him *Romulus* Lupin
(though it really doesn't have quite the same ring to
it). 

* Another thing that worries me is Peter Pettigrew's
brand new silver hand. Anyone who's ever seen a
B-grade werewolf movie knows that *silver* bullets
kill werewolves. And given Pettigrew's less than civil
relationship with his old friends, it makes sense that
he and Lupin might someday find themselves battling
one another.

* Lupin's graying hair: I've given this a great deal
of thought, as the fact that Lupin is prematurely
aging is obviously symbolic of or foreshadowing
something. I have two theories on this. First, given
that Lupin seems to serve as a source of wisdom and
academic expertise. I've always felt he exemplifies
the "man of intelligence" in PoA. So the gray hair
could be a personification of his knowledge/wisdom.
What I consider more plausible, however, is that
Lupin's premature graying signifies a premature death.

* When we're introduced to Lupin in PoA, he certainly
seems half dead. Ron, Harry, and Hermione comment on
how very sickly he looks (apparently, the full moon
had just passed). Ron mentions that he looks like he
needs to eat. JKR describes him as having a "pallid
profile" and a "tired, gray face." Again, the *gray*
symbolism.  

Ron makes some observances that could also be a
foreshadowing Lupin's demise:

" 'He looks like one good hex would finish him off,
doesn't he?' "

Could this be a direct indication of how Lupin will
die? Or is it indicative of Lupin's tenuous, and
ultimately doomed, hold on life?

When the lady with the food cart arrives at their
compartment, R/H/Hr consider waking the soundly
sleeping Lupin in case he's hungry. Ron is a bit
unsure of Lupin's condition.

" 'I mean - he hasn't died, has he?' " (79)

Self-explanatory.

* The nature of Lupin's lifestyle makes him an obvious
target for elimination. In a sense, Lupin only lives a
half-life He divides his existence between a
relatively normal (though, one suspects, quite lonely
and nomadic) human existence and a tortuous
lycanthropy that robs him of all cognitive ability,
subjecting him to purely animal impulses. In other
words, "Remus Lupin" is basically nullified when he
transforms into a werewolf. And even when he is in his
human incarnation, he's often sickly to a decidedly
ominous nature. 

Indeed, in light of the fact that that there is no
cure for Lupin's lycanthropy (and I highly doubt JKR's
going to come up with some miracle potion at the
eleventh hour)he may even be willing to sacrifice his
life for Harry and his friends. As a plot device, it
might serve to "put him out of his misery." He
seemingly has no family and very few loyal supporters
-- and you get the sense that he doesn't stay in one
place very long. Thus, his ties this world are
somewhat lean. In death, he could finally escape his
loneliness and have the peace that eluded him in life.

Isn't that terribly sad? I hope I'm wrong. 

-Jessica

  

=====
"Oh, I'll settle down with some old story/About a boy who's just like me/Thought there was love in everything and everyone/You're so naive!/After a while they always get it/They always reach a sorry end/Still it was worth it as I turned the pages solemnly, and then/With a winning smile, the boy/With naivety succeeds/At the final moment, I cried/I always cry at endings"
- "Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying," Belle and Sebastian

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