OoP - Lupin:Wolf in sheep's clothing? (was "Turncoat")

[Mary]

No: HPFGUIDX 62370

O.o.P. - Devoured it whole, and am now a happily sated H.P. geek.
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--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> > 

> 
> What about Lupin's curious lack of affect over Sirius' death? 
> What about the strange deterioration in Sirius that takes place 
> after his seeming recovery in GoF? Could there have been a 
> hotheadedness potion involved?  Oh sure, Lupin isn't much of a 
> potion maker, or so he says. But someone else could have 
> made it for him. 

I've been lurking around for a long time now, and only post 
occasionally, but I am really intrigued by the Lupin ESE theory.  
Good work, Pippin - it stands up pretty well, though I just don't 
know if I can wrap myself around it at this point, simply because 
Lupin is such a sympathetic character.  I'm afraid I'll be sucked 
into a vortex of despair (as would be intended) should J.K.R. move in 
this direction. 

> What about Lupin's curious lack of affect over Sirius' death? 

I'm not so sure Lupin's reaction to Sirius' death was so "curious."  
He has proven himself to be a character that exudes an almost Zen-
like calm in just about every situation. He strikes me as a person 
who does not overtly display emotion under any circumstances, keeping 
a tight rein on his feelings. He is a peacemaker - the quiet voice of 
reason when others are losing their emotional grip - and a 
compassionate soul. His compassion and empathy for Molly during the 
boggart incident appears to be genuine. Perhaps this zen-like quality 
is an inherent part of his personality, perhaps a compensation for 
the lack of control he has at a certain time of the month. (If 
dementors are, as J.K.R. has revealed, an allegory for depression - 
is lycanthropy allegorical to P.M.S.??? - but I digress.)Whatever the 
cause, Lupin has consistently been restrained, but I would not 
describe him as emotionless. Rather, he is a realist - a person who 
can see the big picture at a glance, and understands instinctively 
what motivates people to say and do stupid things. I would submit 
that someone who reads and responds to others in such a sensitive way 
cannot be evil personified.  

While it is true that he has very little to say regarding Sirius' 
death, we have to remember that this scene is  from Harry's point of 
view - Lupin has him in a tight grip from behind, so Harry (and we) 
cannot see his face.  His voice is calm and authoritative as it 
consistently has been in a crisis - but how do we know that he isn't 
as devastated as Harry is? Indeed, his voice breaks as he struggles 
with a fighting Harry to make him understand that Sirius is not 
coming back.  He maintains a physical contact with Harry, even after 
the struggle - a "precautionary" measure from Harry's point of view - 
probably a protective one from Lupin's. He has enough presence of 
mind to finite the curse on Neville, but continues to face the 
archway where his friend disappeared.  His face is "pale" and his 
voice uncharacteristically falters as he does what is right and 
necessary: 
" 'Let's - let's find the others. Where are they all, Neville?' Lupin 
turned away from the archway as he spoke.  It sounded as though every 
word was causing him pain." pg 808

> What about the strange deterioration in Sirius that takes place 
> after his seeming recovery in GoF? Could there have been a 
> hotheadedness potion involved?  Oh sure, Lupin isn't much of a 
> potion maker, or so he says. But someone else could have 
> made it for him. 

As for Sirius' mental state, I believe that you are on the right 
track with some kind of mood-altering potion - but I am more apt to 
look at Kreacher than at Lupin.  Kreacher's absence over Christmas 
went with Sirius' change of mood - as did his return.  I believe that 
he's the one spikin' the butterbeer, and Lupin is dealing with the 
fallout admirably. For the time being, I'd like to consider the ESE 
theory to be based on circumstantial evidence and continue seeing 
Lupin as one of the good guys...and if J.K.R. vindicates all of the 
ESE'ers, I'll probably want to take a flying leap into the veil 
myself.  Great discussion so far!      
 -Mary(who didn't know she was such Lupin fan until now)