This is a meme started by Uncorked Thoughts which aims to share with fellow bloggers a weekly slice of HP awesomeness. It is an awesomeness that only increases with time and number of reads. Once a week we will share a character, spell, chapter, object, quote etc. from the books/films/J. K. Rowling (or anything Potter related)! Each topic will be posted on Uncorked Thoughts HERE. There will also be free weeks where everyone can share whatever topic they want! Be sure to share your link on the main site for all other HP MOTW fans to enjoy!
This Week’s Theme: What was your Favorite Lupin Moment?
There are a lot of great moments for the character of Remus Lupin. He’s such a wonderful person, and I appreciated that all of his struggles just served to make him a more giving person. From the moment he enters Harry’s life, Lupin is a calming influence, and he genuinely cares about his well-being.
So the “moment” I picked as my favorite is actually a series of small moments between Lupin and Harry. They are quieter moments when Lupin finds Harry in some kind of mental or emotional turmoil, and he gives him some kind of piece of mind.
“Wait a moment, Harry,” Lupin called. “I’d like a word.”
Harry doubled back and watched Professor Lupin covering the hinkypunk’s box with a cloth.
“I heard about the match,” said Lupin, turning back to his desk and starting to pile books into his briefcase, “and I’m sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?”
“No,” said Harry. “The tree smashed it to bits.”
Lupin sighed. (Prisoner of Azkaban, 186) . . .
“Did you hear about the dementors too?” said Harry with difficulty.
Lupin looked at him quickly.
“Yes, I did. I don’t think any of us have seen Professor Dumbledore that angry. They ave been growing restless for some time… furious at his refusal to let them inside the grounds. … I suppose they were the reason you fell?”
“Yes,” said Harry. He hesitated, and then the question he had to ask burst from him before he could stop himself. “Why? Why do they affect me like that? Am I just –?”
“It has nothing to do with weakness,” said Professor Lupin sharply, as though he had read Harry’s mind. “The dementors affect you worse than the others because there are horrors in your past that the others don’t have.” (186-187)
“You made the dementor on the train back off,” said Harry suddenly.
“There are — certain defenses one can use,” said Lupin. “But there was only one dementor on the train. The more there are, the more difficult it becomes to resist.”
“What defenses?” said Harry at once. “Can you teach me?”
“I don’t pretend to be an expert on fighting dementors, Harry… quite the contrary. …”
“But if the dementors come to another Quidditch match, I need to be able to fight them –”
“Lupin looked at Harry’s determined face, hesitated, then said, “Well … all right. I’ll try and help. But it’ll have to wait until next term, I’m afraid. I have a lot to do before the holidays. I chose a very inconvenient time to fall ill.” (188-189)
Lupin is, with so few words, able to give Harry more piece of mind than he is able to find on his own. Harry’s dealing with events so beyond what a 13-year-old should have to deal with and Lupin not only gives him comfort with words but also the physical tools to build back his confidence and adjust to these overwhelming situations. He also gives Harry his first real, tangible connection to his parents, something he’s wanted desperately. So those moments between the two of them, where he finds that connection, are my favorite. I also think that in some way these scenes gives Lupin that same feeling of connection and belonging, which he’s seldom experienced since he lost all of his old friends.
Runner Up for Favorite Moment:
I think the third year class taking on a boggart might have been one of everybody’s favorite scenes because it was so much fun. Lupin was the first professor that showed us as an audience and his students that Defense Against the Dark Arts could be fun as well as a learning experience. Not that he was ever really unsafe with them. I always enjoyed how well he did as a teacher. He walked the right line between understanding the seriousness behind the course with also making the students feel good about the learning process.
Well, that’s really all I’ve got for ya! Just a small moment of sweet HP goodness! I hope you enjoyed it, and please, feel free to share your own thoughts on what your favorite Lupin moment in the comments below!
The Roaming Librarian 