Snape vs Lupin (was:Werewolves and RL equivalents...

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 170424

> >>Magpie:
> <snip>
> It's not that Lupin is tired of *the Potion.* I think he'd love to 
> just have a supply sent to him that he could take at the proper    
> time.  The problem is that in context the Potion comes with Snape
> having something to hang over his head.
> <snip>
> In this context I think it's just that it's being used to make a    
> point by Snape and that's what makes Lupin feel a bit sick and     
> tired. He doesn't like Snape doing that to him and hits back by
> refusing to leap on the Potion immediately. He's trying to show some
> independence and control in the situation.

Betsy Hp:
I'm not sure Snape's primary motive in this scene is to lord it over 
Lupin.  Honestly, I think Snape sees Lupin as too much of a threat to 
engage in those sort of games (unlike Sirius in the kitchen at 
Grimmauld Place).  He never takes his eyes off of Lupin, going so far 
as to actually back out of the room.  So it's hard for me to think 
Snape is going for a petty power play.  I like what houyhnhnm says 
here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/170414
> >>houyhnhnm:
> <snip>
> The scene in Lupin's office is a little more complicated with each 
> character viewing the triangle differently. I think both Lupin and 
> Snape see Harry as the Victim, but each sees himself as the Rescuer
> with the other as Persecutor. 
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Though, I don't think Lupin sees Snape as Persecutor or Harry as his 
victim at this time.  In a sense the only one who doesn't change in 
this scene *is* Lupin.  The power of being the enigma I suppose. <g> 
Also, I've never gotten the sense that Lupin actually distrusts 
Snape.  So I'm not sure what Lupin would have thought he was 
protecting Harry from.

(Though I should probably caveat this by saying that I find it near 
impossible to read Lupin, myself.  Which is why I'm not placing any 
bets as to Lupin's ultimate loyalties.  I simply don't know. No smug 
certainty here. <g>)

But I *do* think Snape is very, very not pleased to see Harry alone 
with Lupin in Lupin's office.  Remember, Snape isn't just dealing 
with a person he dislikes here, he's dealing with someone he actively 
distrusts.  (I think Snape probably sees Lupin as the most dangerous 
of the Marauders, probably because he's the hardest to read.)

I'm not sure if Snape was trying to shake something loose in Lupin's 
mind that he could occlude (to verb the noun <g>), or was just less 
than eager to leave with Harry still in there.  And possibly he may 
have been going for the old "I'm watching you!" message.  But I think 
it was based on Snape's feeling that Lupin was an actual threat.  Not 
on an opportunity to one-up an old school rival.

Betsy Hp