Werewolf Legislation (Re: Percy)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 166047

Carol:
> BTW, forgive a sidenote but I want to sneak it in here since I'm on my last post of the 
> day. Umbridge's werewolf legislation is passed *two years* before OoP, according to 
> Sirius Black (somewhere in chapter 14) and therefore predates Snape's revelation to his
> students that Lupin is a werewolf. In fact, it has nothing specifically to do with 
> Lupin except that it may be one of Dumbledore's reasons for hiring Lupin at the
> beginning of Harry's third year, and nothing whatever to do with Snape.

Jen:  I find it more believable the legislation was proposed due to public outcry after the 
Lupin incident than saying it happened earlier in the year for no particular reason.   Just as 
owls were winging their way to Dumbledore to complain about hiring a teacher who was a 
werewolf, owls were likely flying to the MOM and Fudge with complaints about werewolves 
working in the public sector, or even proposed bans on werewolves obtaining paid work 
due to their inferior status. 

I used to think Snape might be the impetus behind the legislation, but he didn't appear to 
know Umbridge at all.  More likely Umbridge seized on the scandal at Hogwarts to further 
her own agenda and perpetuate the stigma against werewolves.

Jen, willing to take Sirius at his word, but not JKR when it comes to exact timing of events. 
<g>