Sirius revisited--emotional maturity (Very long)

[anthyroserain]

No: HPFGUIDX 104851

Sherry:

> However, I took the Lupin said darkly
> completely differently than either of you.  Here's how I took it.  
Let's say
> a friend of mine gave me a bad time and teased me about something 
to do with
> one of my disabilities.  I might reply darkly--and by that I mean 
in a
> menacing tone or something--watch out or I'll hit you over the 
head with my
> white cane.  Or if it happened now, I might threaten to have my 
guide dog
> attack.  I might say it deadpan, with no smile and in a dark tone, 
but
> anyone who knows me would know I wasn't offended.  My dog would 
certainly
> never attack anyone!  Anyone who knows anything about guide dogs 
would know
> that, too.  But again, if a casual acquaintance or coworker or 
stranger said
> the same thing, I would be angry and offended.  


Katie:

I just wanted to say that I read the "darkly" comment exactly as you 
did. It sounded like friendly banter to me. (By the way, I wonder if 
the Prank might have started similarly. James may have panicked when 
he realized Snape was taking their words literally. But that's mere 
speculation...)

I like how you compared Lupin's werewolf condition to being 
disabled. I think it's a very apt comparison in this case. I think 
Lupin would be surprised and even bemused to hear his friends 
apologize for humorous comments. Their actions (becoming animagi, 
supporting and helping him) are compassionate, and that is what 
should be taken more seriously.

-Katie