Lupin and Sirius and being single(was:Re: CHAPDISC: HBP 29, The Phoenix Lament

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 164165


> irishshedevil
> This is just a side thought, but perhaps Lupin does not trust
> himself around other people. So that may be why he keeps Tonks away.
> (You guys have probably thought of that already.) Tonks and Harry are
> sure to be Lupin's weak spot. Do you think that they will be used
> somehow by LV? Do you think that Lupin will play a large role in the
> last book?
>
Pippin:
Heh heh. I think Voldemort found Lupin's weak spot a long time
ago.

 I think Lupin is playing a larger role already than most 
people realize. Right now, Harry thinks that Snape has been a villain
all through the series. If Snape steps out of that role, if he is not
the Quirrell face of evil, the moral coward who made it possible
for Voldemort to operate in plain sight, right under Dumbledore's
long and twisted nose, the one that Dumbledore trusted so
recklessly, then who is? 

The only other credible option is McGonagall --  but she's no
coward. Lupin is, by his own admission.  And however close he
might have been to James and Sirius in his marauder days,
something seems to have happened afterwards. Lupin doesn't
appear to have been at James and Lily's wedding. He wasn't
at Harry's christening. By the time of Godric's Hollow, Sirius and
James no longer trusted  him-- and they may have
been right.

Aimless and alienated, unable to find work, while James finds
happiness with Lily and Sirius lives it up as a rebel, wouldn't
Lupin start to resent his independently wealthy friends just
a little? He has his work for the Order -- but what hope is 
there that life will be better for werewolves when Voldemort
is defeated? It must have seemed rather pointless. 

It's said that those who join extremist groups are often
skeptical of their ideology at first. They're drawn in by
the sense of unity and companionship, and adopt the
values of the group almost imperceptibly. I can see
that happening to Lupin. He would eventually realize
what a gulf had opened between him and his old friends.
But what would he do about it? He has never had the
courage to admit he did wrong -- all his confessions
are full of remorse for what *might* have happened.

Lupin, as usual, gave good advice to Tonks, and as usual,
did not insist that she take it. IMO, he is too dangerous 
for her, not because he's a werewolf, but because he's a 
villain. I see her headed for a broken heart, or worse, 
and I would not be in her shoes for all the gold in 
Gringotts.

Pippin
(you can find a condensed version of the ESE!Lupin 
theory at message 146764)