Lupin - Potioncat's challenge ( Was: Cannons and teachers)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 128479

Potioncat:
I'd like to issue a challenge. Can(n)ons at 10 paces. We need 
something to keep us busy for another month or so.
<snip>
Here's my challenge: Choose a teacher and provde canon that shows
his or her teaching either in the classroom or at some other moment. 
Compare, contrast, comment, leave it open, express it however you 
choose.  
 
Are there any takers?
 


Alla:

You bet. :-)  If I ever put my teaching degree to work , I would 
like to be Lupin ( with healthy mix of McGonagall) :-)
Of course - all interpretations of canon scenes are my own opinions 
and my own opinions only.


>From the first minute Remus makes his students curious about the 
lesson ( not scared, curious, do you hear me, Severus?)

"Good afternoon," he said. "Would you please put all your books back 
in your bags. Today's will be a practical lesson. You will need only 
your wands."
A few curious looks were exchanged as the class put away their 
books. They had never had a Practical Defense against the Dark Arts 
before, unless you counted the memorable class last year when their 
old teacher had brough a cageful of pixies  to class and set them 
loose" - PoA, paperback, p.130.


When Snape makes his disparaging remark about Neville's abilities, 
Lupin does not wait a second to boost Neville's confidence.

"Professor Lupin had raised his eyebrows.
"I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of 
the operation," he said, " and I am sure he will perform it 
admirably."
Neville's face went, if possible, even redder. Snape's lip curled, 
but he left, shutting the door with a snap." - PoA, p.132.

I loved that Lupin does not hesitate to play  the same game Snape 
does. Snape not only humiliates Neville ( again) in front of his 
classmates, but also in front of his other teacher.

Lupin does the same - he does not wait till Snape leaves, he 
disagrees with him to his face and makes sure that Neville knows it.

I loved how Remus continued to help Neville throughout the lesson.

When he talks about  the boggart and Neville gets scared, Lupin 
simply ignores it and NOT directs the attention of the whole class 
to Neville. 

"This means," said Professor Lupin, choosing to ignore Neville's 
small sputter of terror, " that we have a huge advantage over the 
boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?" - PoA, p.133


And of course we have " Snape/boggart" scene. One of my all time 
favourite scene of the series. Of course I am firmly convinced  that 
Lupin did it mainly for Neville's benefit and I believe that he 
achieved his goal if only for a short period of time. Neville did 
manage to stand up to Snape, even if only in boggart form for now.

When Snape /boggart appears for the first time , Neville is nervous 
and scared.

" Neville backed away, his wand up, mouthing wordlessly. Snape was 
bearing down upon him, reaching inside his robes.
"R-r-riddikulus!" squeaked Neville." - PoA, p.137.

But when Snape appears the second time, Neville does manage to laugh 
at him.

"Forward , Neville, and finish him off!" said Lupin as the boggart 
landed on the floor as cockroach. Crack! Snape was back. This time 
Neville charged forward looking determined.
"Riddikulus!" he shouted, and they had a split second's view of 
Snape in his lacy dress before Neville let out a great "Ha!" of 
laughter, and the boggart exploded, burst into a thousand tiny wisps 
of smoke, and was gone - PoA, p.139.

I loved everything in this lesson, absolutely everything. Of course 
I loved how he handles Neville's situation the most, but I also 
loved for example that Lupin does not shut up Hermione, while 
letting others talk too.

And what does Hermione do, when she is allowed to answer the 
question?

"Could not have put it better myself," said Professor Lupin, and 
Hermione glowed" - PoA, p.133.

It seems to me that Hermione wants teacher's encouragement and needs 
it indeed.

Yes, I do understand why JKR said that she would pick Lupin from 
Hogwarts teachers to teach her daughter.


Again, this was just my opinion and my opinion only.

Alla.