Lupin's touch

[mhbobbin]

No: HPFGUIDX 112339

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "finwitch" <finwitch at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> > Alla:
> > So, I definitely agree with you that Remus is a little reluctant 
to 
> > touch Harry and when he does (when Sirius falls) I have to 
wonder 
> > why?
> 
> Finwitch:
> 
> Hmm - that reluctance was when Lupin was Harry's teacher. His
> hesitation to pat Harry's shoulder, that is. He's trying very hard 
not
> to treat Harry any different from the rest - because it's expected
> between teacher/student. (Being werewolf is bad enough, he doesn't
> wish to add any more issues). I'd say that giving Harry the map 
when
> he no longer was his teacher is a bit of a clue on that!
> 
> mhbobbin:
So how do you explain Lupin in OotP? He's not Harry's teacher. And 
he shakes the hands of the other kids--twice. He shakes Harry's 
hand, yes, but only at Privet Drive. 

I think there's more going on here than teacher / student or the 
development of Harry's relationship with Lupin.

In PoA, we see more of Lupin's thought process --he wanted to reach 
out to Harry but thought better of it--than we do in OotP where he 
is less central to that part of the story. So Lupin thought better 
of touching Harry. In that context, the reader accepts the statement 
and doesn't question it. But this peculiar characteristic--unique to 
LUpin and unique to Lupin's relationship to Harry--continues in 
OotP.   I will continue to maintain that there is something 
interesting in Lupin's parting words to Harry in OotP.

mhbobbin