Tobias and the Angel (The Good) - Snape Part 2

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 167441


>  
> > wynnleaf
> > I totally agree, Betsy!  
> > 
> > However, there is the question of why Snape went for many years 
> > without revealing Lupin's secret.  When Snape was a loyal Death 
> > Eater, and Voldemort was recruiting werewolves even then, as well as 
> > supposedly dealing with people "defying" him like Order members, why 
> > wouldn't Snape have taken some opportunity to spread the news that 
> > Lupin was a werewolf?  I realize that Dumbledore somehow got Snape 
> > to not reveal the secret while in school, and after Snape started 
> > working as Dumbledore's spy, he'd need to watch out about keeping 
> > Dumbledore's trust.  But what about in between?  Why not reveal 
> > Lupin's secret?
> > 
> 
> Pippin:
> But it wasn't  secret!  He's been "shunned all my adult life, unable to
> find paid work because of what I am." Lupin also says that the staff 
> know what he is, and we find out that he was hired with Fudge's
> permission, which probably means that anyone with Ministry 
> connections would know.   So really, it was only the kids who
> were out of the loop. If the Slytherins didn't know, my 
> guess would be that Lucius Malfoy had his own reasons for not 
> telling.
> 
> So did Lupin really quit because shocked parents wouldn't stand for 
> Dumbledore hiring a werewolf, or did he quit because shocked 
> parents wouldn't stand for Dumbledore hiring a werewolf who 
> had neglected to take his potion and run loose on the grounds?

wynnleaf
<g> Thanks for reminding me of that Pippin.  You're right, if Lupin
couldn't ever hold down a job because of being a werewolf -- meaning
potential employers around the wizarding world knew he's a werewolf --
and all the staff knew as well as Fudge -- well, basically what that
means is that it wasn't really much of a secret at all.

Now as to why Lupin left?  Here's my opinion.

Take a good look at the *one and only* scene in all the HP series
where Lupin and Dumbledore have any direct communication on the page.
 Lupin has just been having a nice long chat with Harry the morning
after Sirius escaped.  He told Harry that he had visited with
Dumbledore that morning.  We learn later that it was Sirius who told
Dumbledore about the Marauders being animagi, and we learn in GOF that
Dumbledore did not learn about the Marauders Map in POA.  So Lupin
didn't really volunteer any of his secrets to Dumbledore that morning.
 Yet they did have a discussion.

Lupin and Harry talk and Lupin says that because of Snape's revealing
his secret to the students, owl posts would shortly be arriving from
angry parents and he wouldn't be able to stay.  Oh really? Just
because of being a werewolf?  No.  Dumbledore had no real problem
keeping Hagrid the following year when parents found out he was a
half-giant.  Dumbledore would have kept Lupin as well, if it was only
the knowledge of his being a werewolf that was the problem.

To continue with the scene... Lupin and Harry talk and then Dumbledore
comes to the door.  Dumbledore tells Lupin that his carriage is
waiting and Lupin asks Dumbledore not to accompany him to his
carriage.  At that point, Harry gets the impression that Lupin wants
to leave as soon as possible.  Why, after he'd just been engaged in a
long chat with Harry?  Dumbledore's arrival seems to spur Lupin to a
desire to leave quickly and he doesn't want to talk further with
Dumbledore.  Dumbledore shakes Lupin's hand and tells him goodbye
"soberly."  That is the *only* descriptive adjective we ever get about
Dumbledore's reactions to Lupin.  JKR was being pretty noncommital
about Dumbledore's attitude toward the situation wasn't she?  And then
Lupin leaves.  Dumbledore goes on to have a long talk with Harry
during which Dumbledore discusses Sirius quite a bit, some about
James, and absolutely no remarks about Lupin.

Okay... my theory and analysis.  Dumbledore was highly displeased with
Lupin, Lupin's year long deception, his higher regard for how people
would think of him than the safety of Hogwart's students, and last,
for forgetting his potion in a crisis.  Lupin was asked to resign. 
That's why Lupin *had* to leave.  That's why Lupin was so
uncomfortable around Dumbledore.  That's why Dumbledore didn't seem to
have any regretful attitude toward Lupin's leaving.  That's why
Dumbledore didn't have anything to say to Harry about Lupin.

Just my guess.

And yes, Dumbledore gave his usual "second chance" a year later when
he had Lupin rejoin the Order.

wynnleaf