Lupin's resignation and the legacy of hate

[Renee]

No: HPFGUIDX 99744

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
 
> Pippin:
> 
> Or are you [Jen Reese} saying the scandal would have been lessened 
> if Lupin himself had told the school why he was leaving? Because 
> I don't see that Snape's announcement deprived him of the 
> opportunity to do that. 

Renee;

You're right, it didnt. But remember Ron's reaction to Hermione's 
revelation that Lupin was a werewolf. Then multipy this by at least 
half the Hogwarts student population, and it becomes apparent (to 
me, at least), why this wasn't advisable. For all we know, 
Dumbledore advised him against it, because he's trying to cover up 
the fact that the werewolf he hired has been roaming freely about on 
the Hogwarts grounds. Somehow, I doubt Snape has told this to the 
students - he turned against Lupin, but I doubt he turned directly 
against Dumbledore.  

Pippin:  

> Of course it wouldn't have looked so noble  
> if he'd told *everyone* that Snape outed him just because he 
> didn't get an Order of Merlin. Think about that when you think 
> about whether Lupin gave out two different explanations for why 
> he was leaving.

Renee:

Two different things are happening here: #1 Snape, who lets Lupin's 
secret slip, and 2# Lupin, who leaves. 

# 1: Lupin tells Harry the loss of the Order of Merlin was the last 
straw for Snape. This is his explanation for Snape's decision to 
give him away. As we're never given Snape's own explanation, it 
remains conjecture whether Lupin is right or not. I doubt Snape 
would have mentioned the Order of Merlin - it wouldn't have looked 
very noble if he had admitted he was acting out of spite, would it? 
That doesn't mean the loss of the order didn't play a role. 
Personally, I think it *was* the last straw, on top of Lupin's 
dangerous forgetfulness and the escape of Lupin's old crony/Snape's 
old enemy. Maybe Lupin thinks the same. Or maybe he's just hitting 
back. Based on the text alone, it's impossible to say which. 

#2 Lupin leaves because Snape has outed him. I don't see him give 
any other explanation. He doesn't say "I'd have left anyway"; his 
resigning "firs' thing this mornin'" (Hagrid) is too vague to be 
conclusing. All Lupin does is admit Snape has a point. He doesn't 
get the chance to leave with dignity. But I have to say I'm not sure 
he would have left if Snape had remained silent. It would be just 
like him to convince himself it wouldn't happen again. 

Conclusion: we have two explanations here - for two different things.
   
Renee