New thoughts on Sirius (& Lupin)

[drliss at comcast.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 114867

SSSusan:
I keep waiting for Pippin to comment on JKR's use of the words "seems 
much older and more mature" [emphasis on "seems"].  I adore Lupin; 
he's one of my 3 or 4 absolute favorite characters, so I don't *want* 
to be suspicious of him, but I couldn't help but point out that she 
didn't say he IS more mature; only that he "seems" so. :-)

Lissa:

Actually, I've been thinking about that myself.  

Of course, I'm polar opposite from Pippin, and don't think that Lupin is remotely evil.  However, I don't think he's as mature as he appears to be, either.

Sirius and Remus are very much the yin and the yang of each other.  It's one of the reasons I think they're good friends (and I think they work together so well as a ship).  Where Sirius is reckless, Remus is cautious.  Where Sirius is impulsive, Remus will stop and think.  Where Sirius is quick to make things black and white, Remus is more willing to look at shades of grey.  But where Sirius is willing to open his heart up and give affection freely, Remus is not.  

They aren't complete polar opposites, mind you.  (I wouldn't say Remus isn't loyal, because he's sure one heck of a loyal friend to Sirius, to believe him after all those years.  And he's certainly got guts.)  But they do complement each other, not only in their strengths but their weaknesses.

Sirius's life stopped at 22, but Remus's life did too, in a way.  He wasn't shut up in Azkaban, but he lost his best friends and was condemned to 12 years pretty much alone, from what it sounds like from the little description we get.  Remus seems to have pretty much closed off during those 12 years.  When we meet him in PoA, he's polite, pleasent, and kind, but he makes no real effort to get close to Harry.  Harry's the one who begs Remus to teach him the Patronus charm, and Remus certainly isn't volunteering information about Harry's parents.  He's got to know that he's the strongest link Harry's got to his dad, and he does nothing about it.  And while he cares for Harry, he certainly keeps his distance!  (I mean, he could have at least sent a Christmas card in GOF)

It's completely understandable- Remus has been badly hurt in his life and it makes sense for him to close off.  But mature?  Not really.  It might seem that way; in fact, he can ascribe very noble reasons to it, if he so chooses.  "I'm not getting close to Harry because I don't want to interfere with his relationship with Sirius."  "I'm not getting close to Harry because he's my pupil and it's not appropriate."  But I think the truth is Remus isn't getting close to Harry because he's not letting ANYONE get close to him, and not letting himself get close to anyone else.  Hard to say because we only really know for sure about Harry (and it does seem like he is emotionally close to Sirius), but that's my take on it.

So, I think "seems" more mature is probably a good description- even for Lupinites!

Oh!  Also, must say this: this member of Immeritus wasn't sharpening her knife ;)  I was delighted she expounded more on Sirius, but I think I knew all that already anyway.
Lissa

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