Lupin's behavior (Was: CHAPDISC: DH11, The Bribe)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 180663


> a_svirn:
> I wouldn't. Because the only instance in which Lupin's behavior can 
> be construed as cowardly, is that he probably – and neither we, nor 
> Harry know this for sure – did not discuss his decision with Tonks. 

Pippin:
He was cowardly in not telling Dumbledore that Sirius was
an animagus - he said so himself. He was also cowardly, or
at least undependable, in implying he would be available to Harry
at the end of OOP. He says he couldn't write because he was away
on a mission, but we know he was around for part of that summer.

Lupin has a long history of making commitments and then reneging.
Harry was quite right to call him on it -- being a friend does not
mean you have to check your principles at the door. Besides, if
Lupin ran out on his own wife and child, what makes you think he'd
have stuck by Harry? 

I think it was very much about seeking some personal glory --
the first thing Lupin wants to know is whether  Harry is
on some special mission from Dumbledore. If he just wants to
protect Harry, who is in special danger from Voldemort whether
he has a mission or not,   why should it matter? 

Lupin and Tonks did not keep their marriage a secret: the child is 
a known  werewolf's child whether Lupin is part of his 
life or not. What good will it do the child for Lupin to run away?

Lupin's argument seems to be that a werewolf child has no chance
of a decent life anyway, so being fatherless won't matter (though his
own parents did everything they could for Remus), while a 
non-werewolf child will despise him. It seems to be about the
welfare of the child, but it isn't really, it's about Remus not being
able to endure seeing the child suffer as he suffered, or else not 
wanting a child who might look down on him. Or that's
the way Harry seems to see it, and I think he's right. 

Never once does Lupin say it's about doing his part in the war
against Voldemort. If that's what he feels, why not
say so?


Pippin