How Close Are Harry and Lupin?

[Tracy Hunt]

No: HPFGUIDX 96711

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
> I don't see Harry betrayed by someone he truly knows and loves. 
> But how close is he to Lupin? Their relationship seems to me 
> that of a brilliant teacher to a gifted pupil and little more, at
> least on Harry's side.  Though Lupin appears to care about Harry 
> very much, it's hard to tell if Harry reciprocates.  At the  
beginning 
> of GoF, Harry instinctively turns to Sirius when he needs advice 
> about his scar, even though he's known Lupin much longer and 
> Lupin is a DADA specialist. He doesn't even think of consulting 
> Lupin. Except for the joint Christmas present with Sirius, they 
> never write to each other at all,IIRC.


Tcy:
I have no doubt that Lupin feels close to Harry.  I also have no 
doubt that it is currently not reciprocated.  IMO, had Harry not 
discovered the truth about Sirius, he would have developed a much 
closer bond with Lupin.  Harry seeks adult (particularly male) role 
models - replacements for his dad, if you will.  Up to that point 
(PoA), Harry had looked up to Hagrid and Dumbledore.  Then he found 
Lupin and would have become much closer to him had Sirius not turned 
out to be such a perfect (in Harry's eyes) father figure. 

Pippin:
> There's another thing that bothers me. In the Death Chamber, 
> Lupin grabs Harry, holds on to him when Harry is viciously 
> fighting to let go, keeps a grip on him even after Harry stops 
> struggling. But when Bella drops Kingsley and flees "Harry had 
> already wrenched himself from Lupin's slackened grip."  Why 
> didn't Lupin hold on tightly enough to keep Harry from going after 
> Bella? Didn't he realize that's what Harry would do?


Tcy:
As one who doesn't want to buy ESE!Lupin, it's easy for me to see 
this scene innocently.  Lupin's thought was to keep Harry from 
following Sirius through the veil.  Period.  Once he felt this danger 
had passed, he slackened his grip - note he didn't release Harry, 
loosened his hold.  In the moment, I don't believe Lupin foresaw 
Bella running or Harry chasing her.  He was focused on protecting 
Harry.  But what do I know?

Tcy