Lupin's estrangement from WPP (Was: DD and the rat)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 116261


Tammy wrote:
> 
> <snip> We know that Lupin was shut out (at least to a certain
extent, as he wasn't at the wedding or at Harry's
christening/baptism/naming ceremony thingy), who's to say that the
other three saw Peter enough to notice a change? 

Carol responds:
We know from JKR's website rather than from canon that only Black, the
godfather, attended Harry's christening and Lupin was indeed shut out.
We also know (from canon) that Black was best man at the Potters'
wedding, which certainly implies "best friend" as well. But do we have
any indication that Lupin (or Pettigrew) did not attend the wedding?
That appears to have been a more public and elaborate affair, implying
that the Potters didn't yet sense their danger (or suspect a traitor
in their midst).

The christening would have been at least nine months after the wedding
(this is a children's book, after all, and JKR isn't going to imply
any premarital hanky-panky.) Given James's ardor, I suspect that they
married very soon after leaving Hogwarts, say in June or July of that
year (1978). At the latest they must have been married by the end of
April 1980, nine months before the christening in early August 1981.
By that time they must have been aware of the Prophecy, which occurred
four months before Harry's birth, and Peter (if Sirius is right) had
already been spying for Voldemort for about eight months. The Potters
would have seen Pettigrew, Lupin, and Black at Order meetings, at
least, and we have the photo of Pettigrew sitting between them at one
of those meetings, but it's not clear when the photo was taken or
whether it implies that Lupin was already being shut out.
Interestingly, Black clearly was not--he was still the godfather and
James's choice for Secret Keeper.

I'm guessing that the relations among the four friends were still
"normal" when the wedding occurred (that is, Sirius and James as best
friends; Peter as hanger-on; Remus wanting to be liked and afraid to
oppose Sirius or James), but that the friendship began to deteriorate
after that because the others were no longer schoolboy pranksters
wishing the moon were full so they could run with a werewolf. Remus
must have sensed that his value to them had diminished as the
adventures ended. As he felt that friendship cooling, he may even have
chided himself for being afraid, in his Prefect days, to speak out
against their bullying for fear of losing their friendship.
Differences in priorities were emeging, too. James had a wife and
later a child to think of. Sirius was slaking his thirst for adventure
through the Order. Peter, unnoticed, was quietly spying for Voldemort,
and beginning to name names. Remus was facing the consequences of
being a werewolf without a Shrieking Shack to hide in and without the
monthly companionship of the Animagi. Perhaps he was increasingly
lonely, impoverished, and afraid.

By the time of the christening, he must have felt that the others had
come to suspect him as being a spy or traitor. And he must have
noticed Peter sitting between Lily and James at that meeting, and yet
he suspected Sirius. Peter had always flattered and fawned on James.
What else was new? I don't think he would have seen that change, or
suspected Peter, any more than Sirius did. It was the continuing and
increasing closeness of Sirius and James that he could not help but
notice, and perhaps resent. Whether he was jealous of Sirius or not
(and I think he originally wanted to be friends with both of them, to
be trusted by both of them, by Sirius as well as James), by the time
of Godric's Hollow, fifteen months after the christening, he must have
felt himself fully excluded. Knowing there was a traitor in their
midst, seeing the ever-tightening bond between Sirius and James, not
even considering the apparently inconsequential Peter, he must have
suspected Sirius as the traitor, exactly as he says in the Shrieking
Shack, and suspected Sirius of blackening James's mind against him.

I see a progression here, followed by a regression.

Discovery that Remus is a werewolf; excitement about this discovery;
decision by James and Sirius to explore Transfiguration to beccome
Animagi; eagerness of Peter to benefit from their expertis and become
an Animagus, too.

Successful transformation into animals. Increase in arrogance of James
and Sirius as they pride themselves on their accomplishment; increased
"devotion" to James by Peter (perhaps secretly proud to be an Animagus
but loathing himself for being revealed as a rat?) Excitement by all
three at being able to "run with a werewolf"; happiness on Remus's
part that his friends apparently care enough about him to transform
themselves into animals for his sake. Unwillingness on Remus's part to
find fault with them or analyze their motives too deeply. Consequent
inability to fulfill his duties as a Prefect by keeping S and J in line.

The Pensieve incident: Revelation to Remus that James is an arrogant
(if rather charming) bully and Sirius is a cold and haughty "berk" who
cares nothing about his feelings or Peter's but merely wants to be
entertained. Silence on Remus's part against his better judgment
because he doesn't want to lose his only friends. Guilt or remorse
because Lily speaks out and he doesn't.

The so-called "Prank": Indisputable evidence of Sirius's rash
disregard for the safety (Severus's) and feelings (Remus's) of others.
First indication of the lengths to which Sirius will go for revenge.
Gratitude on Remus's part to James for saving him from exposure, ruin,
and possible murder (or worse) of a fellow student. Possible
understanding on Remus's part of Severus's feelings as well. Beginning
of estrangement from Sirius(?)

Sirius leaves home and moves in with James's family: Strengthening of
the bond between Sirius and James; possible silent envy or jealousy by
the other two.

Graduation from Hogwarts: end of the friendship as they have known it
 for about five years. Probable separation as they go their separate
ways (except Sirius and James?)

Membership in the Order: All four join the Order, along with Lily,
allowing some continuity in the friendship. Greater seriousness of
purpose for James, at least.

James marries Lily: Sirius is best man. The others probably attend as
guests or ushers (groom's men?). James's priorities change to those of
a husband and later, a father-to-be. Remus begins his struggle to earn
a living, probably losing job after job as his identity as a werewolf
becomes increasingly harder to hide. Sirius shows no interest in
marriage and has no need to earn a living. 

VW1 intensifies: The DEs begin to pick off the Order members one by
one. It becomes clear that someone in the Order is a spy. No one
suspects Peter, who begins to insinuate his way between Remus and
Sirius, perhaps taking advantage of their growing differences. He
pretends continued devotion to James. The Potters defy Voldemort three
times.

Dumbledore hears the Prophecy: Whether he begins his preparations and
tells the Potters (and Longbottoms) at this time is not clear.

Harry Potter is born and christened: Significantly, this is a small
affair and only the godfather, Sirius Black, (and of course the
parents and minister) is present. Remus and Peter are not invited.

Snape(?) informs Dumbledore that Voldemort intends to go after the
Potters. Dumbledore tells the Potters that their best chance is a
Fidelius Charm and offers himself as Secret Keeper. James rejects his
offer and chooses Sirius instead. Sirius talks him into choosing Peter
instead. James, Sirius, and probably Lily think Remus is the spy.
Remus, if he knows of the plan at all, thinks Sirius is the Secret Keeper.

Peter betrays the Potters: James and Lily are killed. Sirius goes
after Peter and is framed and sent to Azkaban. Peter transforms into a
rat and becomes Percy Weasley's pet. Remus disappears from our view.
He does not visit Sirius in Azkaban and does not know of Peter's
deception. 

Carol, trying to make sense of these events and hoping that others
will point out any errors and inconsistencies