All about Lupin (warning: rant)

[Renee]

No: HPFGUIDX 122360


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
> 
> I think we've established that Lupin did not continue to practice 
> with Harry until Harry could produce a patronus in the presence 
> of a boggart-dementor. Harry warns his class  that they are not  
> prepared, even though some of them can do a corporeal 
> patronus, and says that  they really need to be practicing with a 
> boggart. Harry seems to have forgotten that he didn't get to that 
> point with Lupin himself. So did I, until I re-read PoA. Jo is 
tricky!

Renee:
Alternatively, Harry wasn't forgetful and they did get to that 
point, only we're not being told. There was no way Jo could have 
done so without giving away what form Harry's Patronus took. She 
simply couldn't have shown Harry repelling a Boggart!Dementor, 
because that would have spoiled the plot. Tricky indeed. 
 
   
> > Renee:
> > That only strengthens the case for Lupin's confession to DD. 
> After Sirius told him all about the Animagi transformations, DD 
> knew what went on right under his nose, back in the Marauders' 
> days. So, if  Lupin had kept this information from him, DD would 
> definitely *not*  have said to Harry that Remus told him 
> everything. 
> 
> Pippin:
> Okay, now I'm confused. Where does Dumbledore say that 
> Remus told him everything?

Renee:
Sorry, I was quoting Arryn, not the book. I have to admit I didn't 
check it, because it seems so extremely unlikely to me that Remus 
would't also have told the entire story to Dumbledore. Harry 
indicates to DD that Lupin can confirm it. It would have been very 
strange if DD, knowing what he knew now, hadn't asked Lupin a few 
pointed questions after he returned from the Forest, and if this 
wouldn't have led to Lupin owning up to his past transgressions with 
the Animagi. 

Actually, Lupin not telling DD in the end would make him too stupid 
to be ESE. Lupin must realise that DD knows now he has betrayed his 
trust in the past, and that confessing everything is his only chance 
to regain it. Making himself suspicious by keeping silent wouldn't 
be a very clever move. It would fit moral coward Lupin, but not 
clever ESE!Lupin, who has nothing to lose and everything to win by 
confessing. 

At this point, I have to say that one of the (many) problems I have 
with the ESE!Lupin theory is that it casts aspersions on everything 
Lupin does or omits, to the point where even innocent Boggarts  
become his victims. Before I knew the theory in its entirety, I 
thought that plotwise, it was at least remotely possible, as I said 
in one of my earlier post, though I had other reasons for believing 
JKR wouldn't go there. But by leaving him no good impulses 
whatsoever and ascribing him about every atrocity we've seen so far, 
you're turning an interesting character with a dual nature of 
ferocious, murderous monster and kind, helpful, compassionate human 
being with flaws into a caricature of pure evil that could give 
Voldemort a run for his money, in order to make a redundant point 
about trust and deceiving appearances. To me, it's the contrast and 
the constant tension between the monster and the man that makes 
Lupin such a fascinating character. 
Moreover, making him evil would undermine another point JKR is 
trying to make, about love making all the difference. The difference 
between Harry and Voldemort is that Harry has known, and knows love 
while Voldemort does not and never has. Lupin was loved by his 
parents (or they wouldn't have gone to such lenghts to find a cure), 
by his friends at Hogwarts and by Dumbledore and he does show love, 
in his way - don't make the mistake to think that being introvert 
and somewhat detached instead of cuddly and "Mollyish" denotes a 
lack of love. A Lupin who starts his evil career at Hogwarts despite 
having (had?) loving parents, a kind Headmaster who does something 
unheard of by admitting him to the school and three supportive, 
close friends, effectively tells the reader that no, love apparently 
doesn't make much difference. I really don't think that's what JKR 
can't wait to tell us.

Renee