[HPforGrownups] Re: Is Lupin James?

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 109700


Lissa:

I've seen this theory before, most notably in the guide that's been
published.  I simply just don't buy it.

As for shivering when he hears Harry talk about hearing his mother's
screams, I can see where he'd be extremely sympathetic.  Wouldn't you?
After all, he knew and cared about Lily, and he knows and cares about Harry.
Plus, he's probably been haunted by those few days for the past twelve
years.  He can only imagine too well what Harry's just starting to go
through.

Sherry agrees:

I have never bought this theory, and I know i've said this before, when the
subject comes up.  It would just be too incredibly cruel to Harry.  If James
and Lupin had switched, where the heck has he been all these years, while
Harry was being abused at the Dursleys?  Could Harry ever forgive that?  If
the big revelation were to come at the end, would Harry rush to him and say
something like, oh, Dad, I'm  so glad it's you!  No, I don't think so.  I
think he'd be furious, and rightly so.  It would have been the worst kind of
betrayal and abandonment, and there is no reason that could ever make it
right to Harry.  I don't know if there's even a way that it could be made to
seem right to the readers, not when we know too well what Harry has been
through.  The only thing would be if for some reason, Lupin/James doesn't
know this has happened and doesn't remember it in any way.  It makes my
heart ache for Harry to think that his own father could have pulled such a
nasty trick on him!

Sherry G