Generation parallels/ Lupin's personality (WAS Re: Lupin as next Headmaster)

[hickengruendler]

No: HPFGUIDX 78589

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jwcpgh" <jwcpgh at y...> wrote:
 
 >  It seems to me that Remus has learned the 
> most from his mistakes in adolescent strategy.  He's seen the 
results 
> of failing to act to prevent harm being done to someone else.  He's 
> also learned a lot about human behavior-what motivates people, 
what's 
> important to them.  Adult!Remus puts those lessons together and 
> becomes a force for good.  He teaches, both literally and by 
example, 
> how to handle darkness, whether it takes the form of a creature, a 
> spell or a moral weakness.  

Did he really? He didn't tell Dumbledore that Sirius was an animagus, 
when he still thought Sirius to be evil. He also didn't tell 
Dumbledore, that Sirius knows about the secret passage into Hogwarts. 
He still didn't say anything, when Sirius tried to break in the 
Gryffindor tower, or later, when he was in Harry's dormitory. Of 
course, Sirius wasn't a danger for Harry, but Lupin didn't know this 
at that point. But he still decided to keep the secret, because he 
feared to lose Dumbledore's trust. He even as good as admitted it in 
the shrieking shrack.  

Which leads me to another point. I was highly impressed by the post 
about generation parallels by Abigail. But I think there are two more 
similarities between a member of James' and a member of Harry's 
generation. One is Remus/Neville. In some way, Neville is IMO the 
anti Lupin. Both have something in common. They are calm and gentle 
people, who never really complain. They also had a pretty hard life. 
But Neville has the ability, to admit his mistakes and to stand up to 
his friends, even if it has negative consequences for him. We have 
seen this in book 1, and than later in POA, when admitted, that it 
was him, who lost the passwords (which, ironically, he didn't. 
Crookshanks stole it from his bedside table). Neville did face the 
consequences, be it an argument with the people who are maybe the 
closest friends he has at Hogwarts, or a severe punishment from 
Minerva McGonnagal. This is a kind of bravery, Lupin obviously 
doesn't have. That doesn't make him a coward. He is a very brave man 
when fighting his enemies, but he isn't able to stand up to his 
friends or allies. Lupin knows about this flaw, but he still isn't 
able to change.

The second parallel is Snape/ Luna. Both were outsiders, who were 
bullied by a certain group of people. But while Snape is bitter and 
helds grudges, Luna doesn't seem to care and tries her best to ignore 
the bullies.

Hickengruendler