Werewolves and RL equivalents

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 170447

Magpie:
> Obviously Dumbledore didn't completely cut himself off from Lupin 
> but I admit for me the important thing about Lupin, and one of the
> reasons I like him, is that he actually shows himself to be not 
> completely DDM. Dumbledore can deal with people screwing up or 
> letting their personal issues keep them from following Dumbledore's
> orders perfectly, but Lupin's totally following his own agenda and
> priorities in PoA. To me that seems like what's going to keep Lupin
> from being one of the really inner DDM circle--he and Sirius.

Jen:  All of the Marauders and Snape had a personal agenda in POA; I 
don't understand how Lupin was operating on a level that the others 
weren't?  He explained his reasoning for why he made the choices he 
did throughout the year and some of his choices were based on flawed 
reasoning and poor judgement.  I don't see anything Lupin did 
specifically which wouldn't fall under him messing up or allowing 
personal issues to interfere?  Or Sirus for that matter.  Or Snape! 

Who comprises the really inner circle for Dumbledore if he has no 
confidantes according to JKR?  I'd say everyone Dumbledore included 
in the hospital scene in GOF, and Lupin was included by the fact that 
Sirius was going directly to him after the meeting to contact the old 
crowd, is considered part of the DDM circle by Dumbledore.  Lupin's 
considered trustworthy enough to be a spy after all.  

Carol:
> Regardless of Snape's motive, it was (IMO) Lupin's duty to resign, 
> and I think that had he not done so, Dumbledore would have
> requested his resignation. (As you say, the DADA curse was at work
> Lupin could not have returned regardless of Snape's actions. It was
> resign or be fired. He's lucky in comparison with his immediate
> predecessors.) Lupin had endangered three students by forgetting to 
> drink his potion, not to mention that he had kept important
> information from Dumbledore all year, and for all Lupin knew,
> injured Harry.

Jen:  Snape's motivation was important because how he feels about the 
Marauders is a crucial part of the series and may have bearing on 
revelations about Snape's past and future.  My point was there wasn't 
a chance for Dumbledore or Lupin to make a choice - it was taken out 
of their hands by Snape.  And nowhere does it say Dumbledore believed 
three students were endangered that night.  He's the one who 
suggested the time turner, sending two of the students back out into 
the situation, and later convinced Fudge that Lupin was trying to 
save lives.  

Carol:
> Not to mention that Fudge knew that Lupin had been running around 
> the grounds in werewolf form and would have made sure that Lupin
> resigned or was fired if Dumbledore didn't. 

Jen:  That's not part of the story though.  Dumbledore convinced 
Fudge that Lupin was trying to save lives the night before, not 
endanger them. Fudge appeared to be out of the picture after that 
night.  

Carol:
> Lupin had betrayed Dumbledore's trust and had to pay the 
> consequences. 

Jen: Since when is Dumbledore all about consequences?  Lupin may have 
stated he didn't live up to Dumbledore's trust but nowhere does it 
say Dumbledore agreed.  This is the same guy who was smiling and 
expressing amazement to find out the Marauders became illegal animagi 
and were running around the castle grounds as students.  Dumbledore 
was aware when he hired Lupin that he would only be staying a year 
and that the DADA curse would act on him in some way.  DD, and 
presumably Lupin, agreed to those conditions at the beginning of the 
contract.  Dumbledore knew there would be a poor outcome; he just 
didn't know what it would be. 

Carol:
> Too bad he doesn't actually admit to what he's done wrong, or 
> barely alludes to it, and makes it look like Snape is to blame. 
> Wrong. Snape brewed the potion; Lupin forgot or neglected to take
> it, and even when Snape mentioned it, did not return to the castle
> to take it or tell the others to leave the Shrieking Shack so he 
> could transform in there.

Jen:  What else is Lupin supposed to say besides what he actually 
said to admit he's done wrong?  'They will not want a werewolf 
teaching their children, Harry.  And after last night, I see their 
point.  I could have bitten any of you...That must never happen 
again.'  ('Owl Post Again', p. 423, Am. ed.)  Yes, someone can infer 
he's only come to that conclusion because he's leaving and had no 
choice in the matter, but his words come at the end of the story when 
everything is being explained.  There's no purpose in the series for 
Lupin to be covering up at that point unless we find out in DH he's 
back at Hogwarts or something like that.

Carol:
> I don't think that Snape is "playing judge and jury for Lupin's
> future." Lupin doesn't have a future at that point if "future" 
> means a job at Hogwarts. He's just forfeited it through his own 
> irresponsible behavior--and the DADA curse manipulating him to do 
> so, if it works as I think it does. 

Jen: Future of course doesn't mean Hogwarts as Lupin's not going to 
stay anyway and likely knew that at the beginning of the year.  If 
Snape had manipulated things in such a way to get Lupin fired that 
would be one thing, and I would probably agree Snape was acting in 
what he thought was the best interest of the school.  The fact that 
he is giving out personal information about a fellow teacher to 
students which will impact the way society will view the fellow 
teacher for the rest of his life- that's taking things a step further 
than ensuring the safety of the school and students.  

Jen