In Defence of Lupin ( very, very long) Part ONE

[nymphadoraotonks at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 85282

<heavy sigh> The ESE!Lupin theories have been floating around this list ever 
since I joined last year. I have read every post that has come to my mailbox 
on the possibilities of Lupin being a horrible, lying, e-vile character. Yet, I 
am still steadfast in my beliefs that he is one of our most wonderfully 
compassionate and kind hearted characters. So, without further adieu, I give you 
'In Defence of Lupin'.

The first glimpse of Lupin we have is in PoA on the Hogwarts Express. pg. 59 
PoA UK Cl.
'This one only had one occupant, a man sitting fast asleep next to the 
window....'
'...The stranger was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard's robes which 
had been darned in several places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though quite 
young, his light brown hair was flecked with grey.'
As a first introduction to a character, JKR does not give us any sign or 
loathing on HHrR's parts. The take note of him, realise who he is and in fact use 
his presence to their advantage when Draco and Company come by their 
compartment on the train. Usually, JKR's descriptions of evil characters have a certain 
essence to them; it's the nature of her writing, and she has an ability to 
paint the picture for her writers. Although the appearance of Barty!Moody and 
Real!moody are the same, she wrote the characters differently. But, I will come 
on to that a bit later. 
As the Dementor Chapter of PoA progresses, Lupin finally awakes to ward off 
the dementor on pgs 66 and 67, PoA UK ed. Cl. He does not fear honesty with his 
students as he explains the dementor is from Azkaban, and he passes chocolate 
round. As has been mentioned in previous posts when he returns to the 
compartment to find the chocolate uneaten, he does tell everyone, 'I haven't poisoned 
it, you know'.

Many people have taken this statement as foreshadowing to his eventual 
evilness. But, I read something quite different. Lupin knows who Harry is. No doubt, 
DD had already explained Harry's first two years to Lupin before he, Lupin 
that is, took the DADA teaching post. Lupin, knowing that Harry was the son of 
his best friend, knowing what Harry had endured from childhood until that 
moment, and believing Sirius Black to be headed for Harry would certainly 
understand that Harry and company would be less than trusting of a strange man. After 
all, without all of Harry's previous experiences, I would still think that if I 
were sitting on the train to school, a dementor walked in and a man I had 
never met warded it off, I would be a little trepidatious. Thus, I do not read 
ill intention in Lupin's statement.

Although some of the staff is unwelcoming to Lupin's arrival as DADA teacher, 
and we are told that staff knows he is a werewolf, it does not seem to be a 
point of contention for Madam Pomfrey. She seems rather pleased to discover (pg 
70 PoA UkEd Cl) that Lupin gave Harry chocolate on the train.
'We've finally got a Defence against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his 
remedies.' 
On this same page, she is described as give an approving look when Harry 
informs her that Lupin gave him the chocolate. 
There is a lack of applause from students when DD introduces Harry because no 
one has much faith in the DADA teachers, and rightly so. Hogwarts in the two 
previous years had seen two pathetic DADA instructors. Lockhart, of course 
IMHO being the worst of the two, was a bumbling fool who had no real DADA 
experience. ( At least Quirrel had taken some time to train up in the field.) 
However, there is only one mention of a Professor who looks on reproachfully, and 
that is our dear potions master, Snape. 

At this point in the series, the only reason we have for Snape's look of 
disgust at Lupin is his ever infamous desire to teach DADA. We do not know of 
their history, yet, but as JKR describes his look, it is more venomous than it has 
ever been to any of the previous DADA professors. I do not think that this is 
ESE foreshadowing, but rather foreshadowing to the history which unfolds in 
POA, GoF, and OoP. Again, as we have all discussed here, JKR doesn't throw 
anything into the books without a reason. I think that stretching Snape's response 
to Lupin to equate Lupin being ESE is too much. Snape has plenty of reason to 
LOATHE Lupin. But, since I am trying to go chronologically with the books, I 
will come on to that a bit later.

When HHrR finally have their first DADA lesson, it is practical. We, I 
believe, had only seen one 'practical lesson' previously, and that was with 
Lockhart. In comparison, it was atrocious. Lupin's lesson, as we find out in later 
books, is a very important one. We see what the Boggart can do to Molly Weasley, 
a seasoned witch, so he starts he year with something that is important to 
Defence in the WW. Before he even begins the lesson on the Boggarts, he impresses 
his students with 'Waddiwassi' when he and the class meet Peeves in the 
corridor. It doesn't seem like much of anything, I suppose, but it gave an essence 
of 'cool' to Lupin to his students.

The fact that Lupin immediately stands up to Snape on Neville's behalf, 
always struck me as a bit of gold in Lupin's character. Neville who has yet to show 
us the great powers I believe him to have, has always been picked upon by his 
Professors for his clumsiness. However, none have inflicted abuse of such 
proportions as Snape. So, when Snape insults Neville in front of Lupin and his 
class, Lupin's reaction was a bit surprising. Lupin gave something Neville only 
receives one other time in canon, and that encouragement. This may seem as 
though it is simply just a small thing, but for a child like Neville, one vote of 
confidence is very important. This sets Neville for a bit more self esteem 
further on down the road.

Many people have argued that Lupin stops the Boggart before it reaches Harry 
because he really is Voldemort's supporter. I still don't see this. When I 
first read PoA, I thought exactly what Lupin states later on in the book- that LV 
would appear in the staff room. It didn't seem as though he were hiding 
anything, but rather protecting his class and Harry.
Another issue that we see around this time in PoA is Draco's loathing of 
Lupin- which continues ad nauseum, but if Lupin really were ESE, it would make 
sense for Draco to want to buddy up to him. Slytherins are cunning and want 
power. If Lupin were evil and in with LV and the DEs, I would think Draco would 
seek him out.  Draco doesn't do this. 

Now, when Harry visits Lupin's office the day of the first Hogsmeade visit, 
there has been a great deal of discussion as to Lupin's behaviour.  Many people 
have theorised that his reactions are of a man hiding his ESE side.  But, 
when I really look into the conversation and his actions, I see something 
completely different.  ( PoA pg 116 UK ed Cl) First off, Lupin shows Harry the 
Grindylow, which seems, again unimportant, but proves to be VERY important to Harry 
in GOF. Then, he is sensitive to Harry's situation with Trelawny, and even 
though when I read it I sense a bit of humour in his tone, he still cares.
PoA Uk Ed pg 117
Harry asks Lupin why Lupin stopped Harry from his go at the Boggart
'Well, said Lupin, frowning slightly. 'I assumed that if the Boggart faced 
you, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort.'
Again, much speculation has been read into this comment. Harry is even 
surprised as Dumbledore is the only person who has ever said LV's name. However, I 
still don't think that this signifies any ties between Lupin and LV. We see in 
canon, most of LV's followers call him the 'Dark Lord'. Dumbledore is 
insistent that people should refer to Voldemort *by* his name. I think that Lupin took 
a leaf out of Dumbledore's book. Also, I think when your best friends have 
been murdered by someone, it is a bit ridiculous to call him ' you know who'. 
Lupin shows that he is made of tougher stuff than quite a few others, so I am 
not surprised in the least that he would refer to LV by his name.
(Neville who is the only other person who directly has suffered at the hand 
of LV, who is Harry's age, doesn't refer to him as anything because he doesn't 
want people to know what happened to his parents and that they are in St. 
Mungo's. )
As for the potion, again, I have read theories that allude to the fact that 
there is more to the potion than meets the eye. But, I truly believe that Lupin 
is grateful for having Snape, who is skilled, even if he can be a great git, 
at Hogwarts to brew it for him. Harry's distrust of the situation is due out 
of his distrust for Snape. 

The whole dynamic in PoA between Lupin and Snape is where many of the ESE 
theories are derived, I think. Lupin as we see in this scene and in his general 
dealings with Snape is very much light hearted. He doesn't seem to be very 
interested in anything that has to do with Snape. PoA UK ED Cl pg. 118, Harry 
tells Lupin that Snape is very interested in the DADA appointment. 
'Really?' said Lupin, looking only mildly interested as he took another gulp 
of potion.
Lupin isn't particularly interested. He knows that Snape loathes him. Now, 
whether he allows Harry to assume that Snape despises him for just being the 
DADA instructor to keep up appearances or because he was instructed to do so by 
DD to prevent the mayhem that ensues when he is discovered to be a werewolf is 
unknown. But, again, this 'deception' as many of the ESE!Lupin-ers would call 
it, isn't exactly deception in the way it would have to be for it to fit the 
ESE!Lupin theory. 

Is it deceptive for Lupin to allow Harry to assume that Snape's hatred is 
only based on the DADA position? Or, really, at this point is it any of Harry's 
business? Harry is a student. As a teacher, it would be improper for Lupin to 
speak negatively of his colleagues. It is neither here nor there in a teacher 
student relationship- which is the relationship that Lupin and Harry enjoy at 
this point in PoA- whether two teachers do or do not like one another or 
whether or not they have a sordid past. It is the job of the teacher to instruct to 
the best of his abilities, to support, and to nurture his students. So, to say 
that because Lupin does not reveal all the truths to Harry because he is ESE 
or untrustworthy is really just rubbish. It is not his place to do so, nor is 
it in any way proper.

In the next Lupin related scene in PoA, we see Snape who without inhibition 
opprobriates Lupin and his teaching skills to an entire class room. He sets an 
essay, knowing full well and good that someone clever would sight the 
similarities, on werewolves. This is not the behaviour of someone who has any respect 
for his fellow professors, nor is it in any way appropriate. Yet, ESE!Lupin 
theorisers seem to wish that Lupin would act out in this manner rather than to 
keep his cool and be respectful of someone as horrible as Snape. In fact,  one 
of the only times we see a hint of glee in Lupin at any negativity towards 
Snape is pg 139 PoA UK Ed. Cl. :
'Professor Lupin smiled at the look of indignation on every face.'
This is really as far as any hint of dislike for Snape goes with Lupin. In 
that moment of uprise from his class, he could have, indeed, said anything he 
wanted to about Snape and most likely everyone would have agreed with him. But, 
he did not. 
Now, again, it has been argued that this is because Lupin and Snape are both 
ESE characters and that Lupin likes Snape, but there isn't any evidence of it 
in canon.

On that same page, Lupin holds Harry back after the class has left. He gives 
Harry a hint as to the Whomping Willow. He doesn't say why it was planted, but 
that it was planted the year he came to Hogwarts. If Harry had done the 
essay, he may have put two and two together. Lupin continues on showing concern for 
Harry. He asks about Harry's broom and inquires if the Dementors were the 
reason Harry fell. He reassures Harry that weakness is not the reason that the 
Dementors have such an effect on him and that Harry should not be ashamed.

Then on page 140, the ever popular slip of the briefcase.  Again, this has 
been argued as a sign of ESE!Lupin-ness. Another point which I have never agreed 
with because it just doesn't make sense to me. Lupin's briefcase slips from 
his hold when Harry mentions that Sirius escaped pass the Dementors. It slips 
at the mention of Sirius's name. We know later on in the book that Lupin hid 
the fact that Sirius, James, and Peter were Anamagi. Sirius has already broken 
into the castle once at this point in the story. Lupin is ridden with guilt. He 
is angry at himself, he is questioning whether keeping the truth from DD is a 
good idea or if he should betray the only friends he has ever known. Does 
this make him evil? Not in my eyes. Instead, I see a man who has had a less than 
happy life trying to weigh the merits of a friendship that is all he has ever 
had and the fatherly/employer/mentor relationship he has with DD. He is caught 
between his word to his best friends and his word to DD. DD, Lupin and PPW 
lied to since school days. Lupin has never betrayed PPW. 

So, was he doing the right thing? Not really. But, was he acting in an evil 
fashion? No. Yes, to a degree at this point he is endangering the lives of 
Harry and the entire population of Hogwarts. But, there is a part of him that 
doesn't believe in what he knows of the past because of what he KNOWS to be true 
of his best friends. I suppose this is a point of contention for many people. 
However, Lupin, I think has a feeling deep down inside that makes him think 
there is a possibility that Sirius is innocent. He knows what is in store for 
Sirius if and when he is captured. I think there is a part of Lupin that wants to 
find the whole truth about what happened as well.

Back to the book, Lupin offers up some Anti-dementor lessons and Harry is 
given the Marauder's Map.

Some people have said in the past that Lupin's teaching of the Patronus charm 
was inappropriate because it was well beyond magic that Harry should have 
been doing at thirteen years old. Quite the contrary, I thought Lupin was 
brilliant for this. As we see in PoA, much of what he teaches in the third year has 
great significance later on in the books. Lupin's excellent lessons prepare 
Harry for the Triwizard Tournament the following year. And, furthermore, Harry 
isn't exactly your normal student. I think when you have the Dark Lord after 
you, it is best to be taught any defence and spell there is. Lupin teaching Harry 
the Patronus charm does a few things. Once, it helps Harry prepare for the 
one thing that Lupin knows makes him happy- the upcoming Quidditch match. Two, 
it gives Harry the knowledge and power to protect himself later in book three, 
in the Triwizard Tourney, and in OoP. Thirdly, it helps with Harry's 
confidence. Although he is slow to learn the complicated charm, when he finally does 
make progress, and later when he conjures his perfect patronus, he has 
confidence we rarely see Harry have in his magic. And finally, through his fully 
fledged corporeal patronus, his father rides again.

( Note, none of this is in any way evil.)

Pg 178 PoA UK Ed Cl, Lupin stutters a bit when he explains to Harry that 
James was his friend in school, and later when Harry asks if Lupin knew Sirius. 
Again, this is not a man who is ESE and deceptive. This is a man who is a 
teacher, who has a tie to his student that has never been explained, who has a great 
affection for said student, and who is still uncertain of the real facts of 
the past. Why does he not expand on his knowledge of James and Sirius to Harry? 
I think it boils down to fears and whether or not it is A) appropriate or B) 
something that DD wants or C) something that would lead to pain for Harry and 
questions that Lupin could not answer.

If you really step back and put yourself in Lupin's shoes, what would you 
have done at this point. Would you have come out and told Harry everything? Even 
DD has struggled with when it is right to explain things to Harry. I think we 
forget that Harry is JUST thirteen at this point. He is a thirteen year old 
boy who has no clue as to his importance. Harry is the guardian of the WW, 
albeit, he doesn't know this yet. Harry is a child who lost both of his parents, 
who has never had a real sense of family, who only really has his three best 
friends point in the books. 

Which brings me to this. Lupin must see a reflection of himself in Harry's 
situation. Although we know that Lupin had parents, he still really only had PPW 
at school. His friends were the most important thing in the world to him. 
Just as Harry's are to him. We see a bit of Lupin's ways in Harry. When Harry is 
angry with his friends, he behaves more as Lupin. Ron on the other hand 
behaves a bit more like Snape. Ron is open and unabashed with his anger, while 
Harry, who may be just as angry is more introverted with it. He lashes out, yes, 
but not nearly to the magnitude of Ron. I don't think this is just coincidental.


Back to the books. I think that Lupin has a suspicion that Harry has gotten 
his hands on the map when Harry gives a joyful shout of 'Butterbeer! Yeah, I 
like that stuff!' on pg 182 PoA UK Ed Cl. But, as a real Marauder, he doesn't 
inquire. He lets it slip by without too much notice. This is another point for 
many of the ESE!Lupin fans. It has been said that Lupin is reckless to allow 
Harry to be led outside of the castle with Black on the loose. But, because he 
has no real evidence at this point that Harry has the map, and Harry's 
explanation of knowing butterbeer is good enough, he doesn't say anything. Again, I 
don't think he is acting evil. Somewhere deep down inside, he may know, but 
still, he sees James in Harry. Lupin also plants a seed in Harry when Harry says 
that Sirius deserves the Dementor's Kiss. This seed grows to Harry saving 
Peter's life in the Shrieking Shack IMHO.  

When Lupin discovers that Harry has indeed had the Marauder's Map, he does 
save him from a spot of trouble with Snape; however, he does something 
extraordinary. He confiscates the map and somewhat angrily explains his surprise that 
Harry did not hand it in. Whether or not this is due to him not wanting Harry 
to know that one of the map's manufacturers was infact staring him in the face, 
or because Lupin wanted the map to keep an eye on Harry, or if there were any 
of a million other reasons we do not know. But, someone who was evil and 
wanted harm to befall Harry would not have taken the map. Lupin was acting as 
teacher responsible for the well fare of his students. Since Lupin still did not 
know the facts of Sirius's experiences and Wormtail's escape, he did the right 
thing. It could be argued and has been that as well as taking the map from 
Harry, he should have gone to DD with the whole truth. Many people have claimed 
this to be evil, as I stated earlier.

But, there is a difference in Lupin's deafness to DD in knowing that Sirius 
was an unregistered anamagus and Harry running amok around Hogsmeade where NO 
one could keep a direct eye on him or his safety. Lupin was indeed protecting 
Harry, himself, and to some degree James, Sirius and Peter.

The only real time we see Lupin almost lose control of his emotions is the 
next scene in which we find him. He is only angry because Hermione will not hear 
him out on the matter of Sirius and the truth of Lupin.  pg 253 PoA UK ED Cl 
' Hermione, listen to me please!," Lupin shouted' This is, I think the only 
instance where we see Lupin actually raise his voice at anyone. He then returns 
to his calm collected self and explains everything.  He goes on to explain 
that DD had to work very hard to get some of the staff to trust him, the map, 
everything. Even  in Chapter MWP&P when Sirius speaks of Snape with utter 
loathing, Lupin remains on an even, fair keel. He does not falter. 
In chapter nineteen, pg 263 PoA Uk Ed Cl, he only insults Snape mildly, ' 
"You fool," said Lupin softly. "Is a schoolboy grudge with putting an innocent 
man back inside of Azkaban."' And, rightly so, does he say this. Snape is being 
foolish. Rather than hear anyone out, Snape reacts to his own hatred of Sirius 
and Remus. He wants them both dead without explanation. Lupin merely tries to 
calmly stop him. 
Infact, in this whole chapter, there is only one person with the presence of 
mind to keep his cool and to act rationally, and that person is Lupin. Tempers 
flare for all the other characters, but Lupin remains calm and collected. He 
understands that the whole truth must come out to everyone. He understands Ron 
kept Scabbers/Peter as a pet for many years,  he understands the absurdity of 
Black's tale, he sees the fear in Hermione for attacking Snape, but yet, he 
does everything with great compassion and caution, knowing that one single fact 
forgotten could change the entire situation.

When everyone leaves the Shrieking Shack and Lupin transforms into the 
werewolf, there has been talk that he accidentally forgot to take the Wolfsbane on 
purpose that night. Again, I find this theory to be rubbish.  Clearly, when 
Lupin saw the children out of bounds, Peter Pettigrew AND Sirius Black all on the 
grounds, he dashed  from his office without thought. But, as we see when 
Snape arrives at the Shack, Snape had not yet brought the potion to Lupin. Was 
this careless, possibly, but HARDLY intentional. Lupin had to flee his office to 
aid in the scene that was to take place in the Shrieking Shack. I doubt he had 
a moment to think after seeing the map.

Again, Snape thwarts Lupin by informing his House that Lupin is a werewolf. 
This makes it impossible in light of the previous night's events for him to 
stay on as Professor. Because of the misconceptions of werewolves in the WW, 
Lupin is betrayed again by Snape. No one would want their child taught by a 
werewolf despite wolfsbane which makes him harmless. I believe that Lupin resigns 
himself to thinking he is dangerous to comfort his own hurt at losing the post. 
He also gives the Marauder's Map back to Harry with some hesitation. In a way, 
the map is his birth right IMO. Lupin knows this. Surely, he knows that it 
will not always be used for good, but it is, other than the stag patronus, the 
only legacy of James Lupin has to give? Reckless? YES! And, so were MPPW. Evil? 
No. 

Lupin leaves Hogwarts with a place in the heart of many.

So, what we can gather from PoA, which is really only part one of two of the 
Defence of Lupin, is a great deal. Lupin leaves us with a new understanding 
that what is known about a certain type of person is not always fact. If 
werewolves are untrustworthy and violent, why did he in the end tell everyone 
everything he could? Why would he be willing to sacrifice his own life for the lives 
of others? His friendships with Padfoot and Prongs were the deepest 
relationships in his life. A man with an affliction that caused him to be hated by many, 
who was unable to find work of what he was, but who had friends who accepted 
him and broke every rule to help him was loyal to them. Was it completely 
right? No. But, had Lupin told DD from the start about Black, the truth may never 
have come out and the dementors might have captured him. Lupin's faith is 
really what saved his life. 

Now, as I have mentioned, Lupin keeps his calm. He is always compassionate, 
he is always kind-hearted. Many people have thought this suspicious. However, I 
see Lupin as more of a Buddhist character. His suffering in life has been, 
and still is great. Yet, he has either just in his nature or out of need 
developed a personality that runs along the lines of Buddhist teachings. We rarely 
see him raise his voice. He looks at everything with compassion, love, peace, 
and concern. He loyal and honourable. He seems to have a certain inner peace 
that many of our other characters are lacking, despite his inner conflict in PoA. 
He in many ways shows he walks in the footsteps of the Buddha with his 
handling of life and the people in his life. Just look at his treatment of Snape if 
you need further convincing. ;)

-Tonks, who is loony for Lupin, and is dreading writing part two of the 
Defence.



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