Lupin's touch (also Dumbledore's)

[macfotuk at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 112529

--- In Message 112339 (and before)
HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mhbobbin" <mhbobbin at y...> wrote:

<snip>
 
> 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

<snip>

If Lupin has a reluctance to touch (or be touched by) Harry - and 
I'm by no means convinced - then could it not be because he has a 
low view of himself (or knows most in the WW do because he's 
a 'dangerous' werewolf) and expects to be treated like a leper.Does 
anyone else get to touch Lupin any more frequently than Harry (i.e. 
is it Harry-specific?). Lupin can't be that used to being touched, 
only shunned and yet he cares deeply for Harry it is clear. Barring 
Mrs Weasley I think that Lupin, in the absence of Lily, James and 
now Sirius (who was also absent for most of PoA during which Lupin 
first met and then was wonderfully supportive of Harry) remains the 
closest connection Harry had to someone who should love him for who 
he is and not what he has done (if one excludes Petunia who has done 
her duty but shown no apparent love to Harry). I believe Lupin 
identifies deeply with Harry as someone who 'has nobody', but 
his 'disease' prevents him from taking this to a physical level. 
Imagine Lupin as a metaphor for someone who is HIV+.

If not that then maybe Lupin feels he can't even protect HIMSELF 
from the nastier/pettier/most prejudiced members of the WW (he has 
no job, abode or income), so can offer Harry nothing and 'loves him 
enough to let him go'.

I cannot recall DD EVER touching Harry since that very first night 
on Privet Drive (when baby Harry was swaddled), but perhaps I just 
haven't thought to look - He (DD) is someone else who cares deeply 
about Harry but perhaps has reasons not to touch him (or be seen to).

I really think 'keep in touch' means just that - don't be a 
stranger. Send messages. It's rather pathetic really because it 
suggests Lupin might be saying 'I like you. Please don't abandon me 
like most others have'. JKR says the next spell (period!) at Privet 
Drive is the shortest and this is predicted by Molly, Hermione and 
Ron ALL saying it won't be too long (to balance the horribly 
prolonged summer leading into OotP which clearly in hindsight 
everyone realises must have been hell for Harry and should not be 
repeated).