- "You're the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!"
- — Harry Potter to Remus Lupin[src]
Professor Remus John Lupin (March 10, 1960 - May 2, 1998), or Moony, was a wizard infected with lycanthropy and a member of the First and Second Orders of the Phoenix. During his school years, he was one of the Marauders; he was friends with James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. Together they created the Marauder's Map. Remus lost all of his closest friends in various ways by the end of the First Wizarding War, though he and Sirius later reclaimed their friendship. Remus taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts during the 1993–1994 school year, but resigned after Severus Snape revealed to the public that Remus was a werewolf. He fought against the Death Eaters once more in the Second Wizarding War, during which he married fellow Order member Nymphadora Tonks and had a son, Teddy Lupin. Remus was killed by Death Eater Antonin Dolohov during the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998.
Biography
Early Life
Remus was born on March 10, 1960 to Mr. and Mrs. Lupin. As a young boy Remus was bitten by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback after his father insulted Greyback, thus becoming afflicted with the blood infection himself. His parents did everything that they could in order to try to find a cure for him, but all of their attempts to do so failed. Although he and his parents were unsure of the safety of allowing him to attend school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore did not see why he could not attend and encouraged him to become a student.
Hogwarts Years
- "My transformations in those days were – were terrible. It is very painful to turn into a werewolf. I was separated from humans to bite, so I bit and scratched myself instead. The villagers heard the noise and the screaming and thought they were hearing particularly violent spirits."
- — Remus Lupin to Harry Potter[src]
Remus attended Hogwarts from 1971 to 1978 and was sorted into Gryffindor house. To secure his safety as well as that of his peers, a shanty was built outside of Hogsmeade. This shanty had no natural entrances. There was only a secret passage leading to it from under the Whomping Willow, on Hogwarts' grounds. Remus was brought to the structure once a month for his transformations in order to prevent him from attacking other students. However this isolation caused him to attack himself out of frustration. The villagers of Hogsmeade mistook his screams for that of violent ghosts. Thus the building was dubbed the Shrieking Shack and attained the reputation for being the most haunted building in Britain. Dumbledore encouraged this rumour to keep people from investigating the noises.
Remus's Boggart was the full moon, because it meant his transformation into a werewolf.
Remus became good friends with fellow Gryffindors James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. He kept his status a werewolf a secret from all of the students at Hogwarts, including James, Sirius, and Peter, and made up stories to explain his monthly disappearances, such as that his mother was ill and he needed to go home to visit her. James, Sirius, and Peter worked out the truth during their second year, and due to their acceptance of who Remus was and their strong friendship with him they decided to learn how to become Animagi in order to keep Remus company during his transformations as a werewolf is only a danger to humans. By their fifth year, James was able to become a stag, Sirius was able to become a dog, and Peter was able to become a rat. Once a month during the full moon James, Sirius, and Peter would sneak out of the castle under James's Invisibility cloak, transform, get into the Whomping Willow, walk down the tunnel, and meet up with Remus in the Shrieking Shack. The four of them soon left the Whomping Willow and would roam among the school grounds and Hogsmeade by night. They called themselves the Marauders and Remus’s friends nicknamed him "Moony" because of his transformations during every full moon.[3]
Remus was a good student and a prankster, and he and Peter would sometimes join James and Sirius in detention for mischief-making, though they did not get into as much trouble as their other friends. No other Hogwarts student ever found out as much about the Hogwarts ground and Hogsmeade as they did, and James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter used their knowledge of it to write the Marauder's Map and signed it with their nicknames. It was eventually confiscated by Argus Filch.
Remus Lupin as a teenager
- Severus Snape: "There’s something weird about that Lupin. Where does he keep going?"
- Lily Evans: "He’s ill. They say he’s ill–"
- Severus Snape: "Every month at the full moon?"
- — Severus Snape and Lily Evans discussing Remus’s monthly disappearances[src]
However, Remus' frequent disappearances riled up an unhealthy curiosity in Severus Snape, a Slytherin student in the same year as Remus, who shared an enmity with James and Sirius, and hated Remus and Peter by association. Severus followed James, Sirius, Remus and Peter around in order to see what they were up to and in an effort to get all of them expelled. In their sixth year, Sirius played a malicious prank against Snape by telling him about the Whomping Willow passageway, hoping that he would be terrified by what he found at the other end. James stopped Snape and saved his life, but Snape still uncovered Remus’s secret. Dumbledore subsequently swore Snape to secrecy, but Snape teased Remus cruelly from that point on.
Remus was also a prefect while he was at Hogwarts, although he had trouble exercising discipline over his friends. Sirius once said that Remus did not participate in the bullying of Snape, but Remus admitted that he regretted that he had never stepped in to stop it.[4]
First Wizarding War
- Remus: "...he thought I was the spy, Peter. I assume that's why you didn't tell me, Sirius?"
- Sirius: "Forgive me, Remus."
- Remus: "Not at all, Padfoot, old friend. And will you forgive me for believing you were the spy?"
- Sirius: "Of course."
- — Remus and Sirius reflecting on the First Wizarding War while confronting Pettigrew[src]
Shortly after graduating from Hogwarts, Remus joined the Order of the Phoenix along with James, Sirius, Peter and Lily Evans, standing up against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Remus failed to find employment following his education because of his affliction as a werewolf. However, James Potter used his wealth to financially support him.[5]
By the height of the war, Remus’s friend Sirius Black had come to distrust him, suspecting that he might be a spy for the other side. Thus, when a prophecy was made about a child who would have the power to defeat the Dark Lord and Dumbledore identified infant Harry Potter as a possible target, Remus was not included in the plan to keep the Potters safe, though he was aware that they used the Fidelius Charm. James and Lily Potter wanted to use Sirius as their Secret-Keeper, but Sirius thought that would be too obvious, and thus suggested Peter Pettigrew instead. Not even Dumbledore or Remus knew of the switch.[3]
Between the wars
- Hermione: "No! I trusted you! And all this time, you’ve been his friend. He’s a werewolf! That’s why he’s been missing classes."
- Remus: "How long have you known?"
- Hermione: "Since Professor Snape set the essay."
- Remus: "Well, well, well, Hermione, you really are the brightest witch of your age I’ve ever met."
- — Hermione Granger after Remus reveals his friendship with ‘murderer’ Sirius Black[src]
Remus teaching his class about Boggarts.
In 1993, Remus was offered the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, replacing the permanently amnesiac Gilderoy Lockhart. Although the students were kept in the dark about his affliction, the staff were made aware that he was a werewolf. Remus taught the class a comprehensive curriculum of identifying and sidestepping dark creatures such as Hinkypunks and Red Caps. He also taught the class about Boggarts. It was during that class that Harry realized his "greatest fear was fear itself" when his Boggart took on the form of a Dementor. After this, Remus gave Harry private lessons in producing a Patronus as a means to control Dementors. Incidentally, being a werewolf, Remus's boggart would take on the form of the full moon. Students who saw this boggart form mistook it for a crystal ball, except for Hermione Granger, who deduced that Remus was a werewolf and kept the discovery to herself.
During his time as a professor, Severus Snape, who had switched sides at the end of the war and became Potions professor, provided Remus with Wolfsbane Potion, allowing him to retain his human mind during transformations.
Slytherin students, encouraged by Draco Malfoy, sneered at Remus' shabby clothes and poor appearance, although he seemed to ignore their comments. Regardless, his other students held him in extremely high regard and loved the hands-on style of his classes. He was considered by Harry and his friends to have been their only decent Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
For his third years' end of year tests in June, he prepared an unusual exam – an obstacle course out in the grounds in which the students had to (1) wade across a paddling pool containing a grindylow, (2) cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, (3) cross a marsh while being fed misleading directions by a hinkypunk, and (4) enter a trunk to battle a newly procured boggart.[3]
Remus transformed, on June 6, 1994.
- "We've been having a little chat, Peter, about what happened the night James and Lily died..."
- — Remus Lupin[src]
The summer before Remus began his tenure as the Defence professor, Sirius Black escaped Azkaban. Remus, like the rest of the wizarding world, had believed that Sirius had betrayed the Potters to Voldemort and murdered Peter Pettigrew.
By the end of the school year, however, Remus knew the truth of what had happened and that Pettigrew was still alive, hiding in his Animagus form – Scabbers, the pet rat of Ron Weasley. Remus was reunited with his old friend Sirius and the two resolved to kill Pettigrew for his part in the deaths of James and Lily and in framing Sirius. They were stopped by Harry Potter, who believed it would be better to hand Pettigrew over to the Ministry of Magic to prove Sirius’s innocence.
However, that night happened to be a full moon, and Remus transformed into his werewolf form. Sirius was forced to turn into his dog Animagus form to protect Harry, Hermione and Ron from Remus, and Pettigrew escaped during the chaos.
After the danger had passed, Remus resigned from his position when parents learned that he was a werewolf, his resignation was much to the regret of the Hogwarts students and staff who had all grown very fond of him.[3]
Second Wizarding War
Remus arriving at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
When Lord Voldemort returned, Remus joined the second Order of the Phoenix. He was member of the Advance Guard, that escorted [[Harry Potter from 4 Privet Drive to 12 Grimmauld Place. Lupin lived for some time at Sirius's house, but he was usually left, as he had been set many missions by the order.
Battle of the Department of Mysteries
Remus participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in 1996, and defeated a number of Death Eaters including their leader, Lucius Malfoy. He was one of only two combatants to see the end of the battle unscathed, the other being Albus Dumbledore, proving Remus's exceptional skill at dueling and knowledge of magic. During this battle, Remus was devastated by the death of his friend Sirius Black, who was pushed through the veil in the Death Chamber by a curse cast by Bellatrix Lestrange. Remus barely managed to prevent Harry from diving in after Sirius, who was already lost. Later that year, Remus began working as a spy for the Order, living among fellow werewolves and trying to convince them to join Dumbledore's side.[4]
Lupin listening to Harry's misgivings of Snape.
Battle of the Astronomy Tower
The following year, Remus fought bravely again at the Battle of the Astronomy Tower where he narrowly avoided death by a curse from Thorfinn Rowle. Remus, upon hearing about the death of Albus Dumbledore, who had been killed by Snape, screamed "NO!" in despair. However, the aftermath of the battle led to him to accept the love of Nymphadora Tonks, who pointed out that Fleur still loved Bill in spite of being attacked and scarred by Greyback. The pair attended their former Headmaster's funeral together,[6] and soon married. They were forced to do so quietly, given the predjudice against Werewolves.[7]
Remus and Tonks with Molly and Arthur Weasley before the attack on the Burrow.
Battle over Little Whinging
In July of 1997, Remus participated in the Order's operation to remove Harry from his home before Voldemort could get to him. Remus acted as the protector of George Weasley, who took Polyjuice Potion to become one of the "seven Potters". The party was ambushed by at least thirty Death Eaters, and George was struck by Snape's Sectumsempra spell while he and Remus flew. Remus was unable to pay Snape back in time, it being all he could do to keep George on the broom. He eventually got the injured George back to the Burrow to be cleaned up, though George permanently lost an ear. It was later revealed that Snape had sent the spell in an attempt to cut off the hand of a Death Eater aiming at Remus' back, presumably about to kill him. Remus was very anxious about the late arrival of his wife; Tonks had been aggressively pursued by her murderous aunt Bellatrix Lestrange.
Remus and Tonks were both able to attend the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour shortly afterwards, and bravely defend the Burrow when it came under attack as Voldemort took over the Ministry.[7]
Potterwatch
Remus visiting the trio in 12 Grimmauld Place in 1997.
Remus suffered great mental anguish as the war escalated when he learned that his wife was pregnant. Remus tore out a clump of his own hair in anxiety over the possibility that his child would be born a werewolf. He visited Harry, Ron and Hermione while they hid out in Grimmauld Place, and offered to help with their search for Voldemort’s Horcruxes. But Harry ran him off, calling him a coward for even considering leaving his wife alone while pregnant. Remus left them greatly agitated.[7]
Harry and his friends next heard of Remus on Potterwatch, under the code name Romulus. Remus made Harry realise that they were still friends.
- Remus a.k.a. Romulus: "There is no doubt at all in my mind that his death would be proclaimed as widely as possible by the Death Eaters if it had happened, because it would strike a deadly blow at the morale of those resisting the new regime. ‘The Boy Who Lived’ remains a symbol of everything for which we are fighting: the triumph of good, the power of innocence, the need to keep resisting."
- Lee Jordan a.k.a. River: "And what would you say to Harry if you knew he was listening, Romulus?"
- Remus a.k.a. Romulus: "I’d tell him we’re all with him in spirit. And I’d tell him to follow his instincts, which are good and nearly always right."
- — Remus discussing his steadfast belief in Harry on Potterwatch[src]
Remus eventually came to his senses and reunited with Tonks in time to see his son born. They named him Teddy, after Tonks’ father, who had recently been killed by Snatchers after refusing to turn himself in to the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. Appearing to forgive and forget their earlier disagreement in Grimmauld Place, Remus asked Harry to be Teddy's godfather. He was ecstatic over the birth of his son, but the family's happiness wouldn't last long...[7]
Battle of Hogwarts and death
- Tonks: "Have you seen Remus?"
- Aberforth: "He was dueling Dolohov, haven’t seen him since!"
- — Tonks and Aberforth Dumbledore during the Battle of Hogwarts[src]
Remus was one of the many Order members who answered Neville Longbottom's call to arms on May 2nd, 1998, when Harry, Hermione, and Ron returned to Hogwarts and Lord Voldemort gathered his army to attack the school. He organised and led groups to fight Death Eaters on the school grounds along with Kingsley Shacklebolt and Arthur Weasley. His wife initially agreed not to participate in the Battle of Hogwarts, instead staying with their infant son, but was ultimately unable to bear leaving her husband to face such danger without her. She left Teddy with her mother and raced to Hogwarts, where she was informed that Remus was last seen dueling Death Eater Antonin Dolohov.[4] Dolohov killed Remus, and Tonks was murdered by her aunt Bellatrix Lestrange around the same time.[8]
Post-mortem
During the brief pause in the battle, Remus and Tonks' bodies were laid out beside each other in the Great Hall. The nature of Remus's death was not revealed, but his body was described as peaceful-looking,[7] implying that he was struck with a Killing Curse or Dolohov's own curse; both are known to leave no visible marks on the outer body.
However, Remus still had an important part to play in the war. When Harry proceeded to the Death Eater camp to be struck down by Voldemort, he first activated the Resurrection Stone, bringing back the souls of his parents, Sirius, and Remus, the latter of which expressed the hope that Harry would care for his son, lamenting that he would never know him.
Physical Appearance
Remus on the Hogwarts Express in 1993.
- "The stranger was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard's robes that had been darned in several places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though quite young, his light brown hair was flecked with grey."
- — Harry meets Remus for the first time on the Hogwarts Express[src]
Remus is described as having light brown hair that with each book becomes more and more grey. He also has a pale face with premature lines. These are due to the great deal of stress his body underwent with each full moon. Throughout the series he wears shabby, patched clothing. In the films he sports a moustache, although this was never mentioned in the books. The movie also depicts him with scars cutting across his face which is also not stated in the books. However, given Remus' comments on werewolf inflicted injuries being cursed wounds that are unlikely to fully heal after Fenrir Greyback's attack on Bill Weasley, it is possible he bears scars from his self-inflicted injuries during his transformations
Personality and traits
- Remus: "‘Give five signs that identify the werewolf.’ Excellent question."
- James: "D’you think you managed to get all the signs?"
- Remus: "Think I did. One: he's sitting on my chair. Two: he's wearing my clothes. Three: his name's Remus Lupin..."
- — Remus, Sirius and James joking about a test in school[src]
Remus was very intelligent, calm, tolerant, gentle, and good-natured. Despite having suffered a great deal of prejudice in his life due to his lycanthropy, he managed to retain an ability to see the good in almost everybody and was extremely forgiving. He also had an excellent sense of humour and, when he was a student at school, was one of the Marauders.[3] He could be described as the mature one in the group, however, because unlike his friends he never partook in bullying and even became a Prefect in his fifth year.[4]
Considering that his Boggart is the full moon, Remus is afraid of turning into a werewolf. He might be afraid of the transformation itself, or the fact that he could harm, infect, or kill his friends and family while transformed, and know that he did it himself.
Magical Abilities and Skills
Remus was a very talented and powerful wizard:
Remus holding the Marauders' Map in 1993.
Defence Against the Dark Arts Master: In 1993, Remus took the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and was considered to be the best in this position by many of his students. It has been inferred that his particular specialty in Defence is, ironically enough, against Dark Creatures. However, this is based on what he taught the third year students and may not reflect the full range of his knowledge and expertise. He also taught Harry Potter the highly advanced Patronus Charm,[3] which Remus himself must have mastered at a relatively young age, at least when he joined the first Order of the Phoenix. It is not stated what form his own patronus takes.
Nonverbal and wandless magic expert: While on the Hogwarts Express in 1993, Remus conjured fire, (possibly Bluebell Flames) without using a wand and nonverbally.[3] He could also open locks and chests and relight candles with the wave of his hand, as seen in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie. When Remus and Harry had a heated argument in 1997, Remus struck him with a silent spell so quickly that Harry barely had time to reach for his own wand. Both wandless and nonverbal magic are very difficult, indicating Remus’s magical power and skill.
Master Duelist: Remus was a highly talented duelist. During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he was the only fighter besides Albus Dumbledore who was not wounded, killed, or incapacitated.[4] He also came out of the Battle of the Astronomy Tower[6] and the Battle over Little Whinging unscathed, even though he had to support an injured George Weasley while fighting and flying during the latter conflict. Remus was defeated in a duel during the Battle of Hogwarts with Dolohov, a highly skilled and dangerous Death Eater who had previously defeated very talented wizards such as Alastor Moody and the Prewett brothers.[7]
Charms expert: Remus appears to have been very talented with Charms from a young age, since he, James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew managed to create the magically complex Marauders' Map as teenagers.[3]
Relationships
Family
The extent of Remus Lupin's relationship with his family is unknown. Mr Lupin and Mrs Lupin are known to have been concerned over his being a werewolf. Remus's parents believed that this condition meant that their son would be unable to attend Hogwarts. However, this was proven untrue. It is possibl that his parents were desceased before the events of the Second Wizarding War.
The Marauders
- "...apart from my transformations, I was happier than I had ever been in my life. For the first time ever, I had friends, three great friends... I was terrified they would desert me the moment they found out what I was. But of course, they, like you, Hermione, worked out the truth...and they didn't desert me at all. Instead, they did something for me that would make my transformations not only bearable, but the best times of my life. They became Animagi."
- — Remus on his friends[src]
As a Hogwarts student, Remus became good friends with fellow Gryffindors James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. In their second year, Remus' friends figured out that he was a werewolf; instead of shunning him, as many in the wizarding world would have, they learned how to become Animagi by their fifth years to accompany Remus on his monthly transformations, preventing him from hurting himself.[3] Because he was so grateful to have his friends, Remus cut them a lot of slack,[9] for instance, despite being dismayed by their bullying of Severus Snape, he did not attempt to stop them. Even though he was his house's Prefect, Remus had difficulty trying to curb his friends' mischievous behaviour.[4] However, Remus was not without a mischief-making streak himself, contributing to the invention of the Marauders' Map.
Once they were all members of the Order of the Phoenix, Sirius came to distrust Remus, fearing he might be a spy; the reasons for this are unknown. Sirius' distrust ensured that Remus was unaware when James and Lily changed their Secret-Keeper from Sirius to Peter, and thus believed that Sirius had betrayed them when they were murdered by Lord Voldemort. The two reclaimed their friendship after Sirius escaped from Azkaban in 1993 and Remus learned the truth. They planned to kill their traitorous former friend Peter, but were stopped by Harry Potter.[3] Remus and Sirius both became close to their late friend's son, and Remus was devastated when Sirius was killed in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.[4]
Severus Snape
Severus Snape protecting Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley from Remus in his werewolf form.
- Remus: "Severus, you’re making a mistake. You haven’t heard everything – I can explain – Sirius is not here to kill Harry –"
- Snape: "Two more for Azkaban tonight. I shall be interested to see how Dumbledore takes this... He was quite convinced you were harmless, you know, Lupin...a tame werewolf –"
- Remus: "You fool. Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?"
- — Remus and Snape arguing about Sirius Black[src]
Severus Snape, a Slytherin student in Remus's year, shared a strong enmity with Remus's close friends James Potter and Sirius Black, who outright bullied Snape on occasion. Although not friendly with Snape, Remus did not participate in the bullying, but also did nothing to stop it, which was something that he deeply regretted later in his life. On one occasion, for instance, James and Sirius began taunting Snape out of boredom; while Lily Evans went to his defence, Remus pretended to focus on his textbook, but was frowning and unable to continue reading.[4]
At some point in their fifth year, Snape saw Madam Pomfrey leading Remus to the passageway on the full moon; Sirius thought it would be entertaining to inform Snape of how to freeze the Whomping Willow. Snape tried to do so, but was stopped by James before he could reach the Shrieking Shack, where Remus had transformed. Albus Dumbledore forbade Snape from revealing Remus's condition to anyone, and Snape deeply resented being put in James's debt and suspected that Remus might have been in on the dangerous prank.
As adults, Remus and Snape were civil to one another, although barely so on the latter's part. Snape was irked that Remus obtained the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, which he had always wanted for himself, in 1993. He brewed Wolfsbane Potion for Remus so that he would be able to keep his mind whenever he transformed, but he suspected that Remus was helping Sirius get into the castle and tried to get Dumbledore to stop trusting him. Snape also took to dropping hints that Remus was a werewolf to students, which at least one, Hermione Granger, figured out, though she kept the discovery to herself. This mistrust and dislike turned into vindictive fury when Remus tried to tell Snape that Sirius was innocent of the crimes he had been convicted of, launching an argument and Snape being eager to see Remus punished alongside Sirius. When Snape's old enemy escaped re-capture, Snape vindictvely exposed Remus's werewolf status, which forced him to resign.[3]
- Remus: "It comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledore’s judgment. I do; therefore, I trust Severus."
- Harry: "But Dumbledore can make mistakes. He says it himself. And you — do you honestly like Snape?"
- Remus: "I neither like nor dislike Severus... We shall never be bosom friends, perhaps; after all that happened between James and Sirius and Severus, there is too much bitterness there. But I do not forget that during the year I taught at Hogwarts, Severus made the Wolfsbane Potion for me every month, made it perfectly, so that I did not have to suffer as I usually do at the full moon... I must be grateful."
- — Remus and Harry Potter on the former's relationship with Snape[src]
In spite of all this, Remus believed that Snape was loyal to the Order of the Phoenix, encouraging Harry Potter to trust him and to continue his Occlumency lessons. He was shocked and angered when Snape killed Albus Dumbledore, who had been the one to assure other Order members that Snape was trustworthy. During the Battle over Little Whinging, Snape was one of the Death Eaters who attacked Remus and George Weasley, who was disguised as Harry by way of Polyjuice Potion. Snape, secretly still loyal to the Order, attemped to save Lupin, aiming a Sectumsempra at a Death Eater who was about to kill Lupin, but accidentally struck George, who lost an ear. Remus, furious, expressed a desire to have "paid him back in kind", but had to focus on getting himself and George to safety.[7]
Lily Evans
Lily Evans, his friend
Remus met Lily Evans while they were both attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lily wasn't on good terms with Remus's friends, James and Sirius, but that didn't mean she disliked Remus too. Remus and Lily were both made Prefects during their fifth years, and they were friendly. Lily was there for Remus at a time when no one else was, presumably when there was a rift among the Marauders following Sirius' Whomping Willow prank on Severus Snape. After Hogwarts, Lily married James Potter. Although Sirius was the best man, Remus attended their wedding, too. They all became members of the Order of the Phoenix during the First Wizarding War, and fought in several battles as well. When Pettigrew betrayed the Potters to Voldemort and James and Lily died, Remus was devastated. He became close with Lily's son, Harry, like a father, or a mentor. When Lupin was killed during the Battle of Hogwarts, the four people that appeared from the Resurrection Stone were Remus, Lily, James and Sirius. They all seemed to be very happy.
Harry Potter
Remus with Harry Potter in 1993.
- Remus: "I have complete confidence in you. Here - you've earned a drink. Something from the Three Broomsticks, you won't have tried it before -"
- Harry: "Butterbeer! Yeah, I like that stuff!"
- Remus: "...let's drink to a Gryffindor victory against Ravenclaw! Not that I'm supposed to take sides, as a teacher..."
- — Remus when teaching Harry Potter the Patronus.[src]
Remus met Harry Potter, the son of his late friends James and Lily Potter, for the first time since he was an infant in 1993 when he saved him from Dementors on the Hogwarts Express. Remus was the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts during Harry's third year as well as his favourite professor. Remus found Harry to be smart, kind, and an excellent Seeker, and Harry admired and cared about Remus even after he found out that he was a werewolf. He also tells Harry that the first time he saw him, he recognized him, not by his scar, but by his eyes, because they're Lily's eyes. It is suggested that Remus's classes were how Harry discovered his talent for Defence Against the Dark Arts. He took Harry aside to teach him the Patronus Charm, assisted him in avoiding trouble with Professor Snape, and returned the Marauders' Map to him once he was no longer a professor.[3]
Remus Lupin protecting Harry Potter when Harry's boggart turns into a Dementor in 1993.
The two met again in the summer of 1995 when Remus was part of the group of Order members to pick up Harry from Privet Drive. Throughout the years, Remus also shared with Harry stories about his parents and godfather. He comforted Harry over Sirius's death and also offered him advice on other occasions.[4] The only time that they ever fought was when Harry was outraged by Remus temporarily leaving his wife for fear of their future child becoming a werewolf as he was. Harry noted that he had never seen Remus so angry before, but later they made up, as Remus knew that Harry had only meant well. When Remus's son Teddy Lupin was born, he asked that Harry be the boy's godfather, and after his death Harry played a prominent role in Teddy's life. Remus was one of the spirits that came out of the Resurrection Stone to speak to Harry as he walked to what he believed was his death, indicating the almost familial bond between Remus and Harry.[7]
In Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Harry wrote in the werewolf section "aren't all bad", showing that Remus being a werewolf doesn't bother him at all.
Nymphadora Tonks
Nymphadora Tonks with husband, Remus Lupin.
- Harry Potter: "I didn't want you to die. Any of you. I'm sorry --- right after you'd had your son... Remus, I'm sorry-"
- Remus Lupin: "I am sorry too. Sorry I will never know him...but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand. I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life."
- — Harry speaks to Remus, James, Lily, and Sirius through the Resurrection Stone[src]
Remus and Nymphadora Tonks come to know each other as members of the Order of the Phoenix, and at some point, Tonks fell in love with him. He initially rejects the idea of a relationship, claiming he is too old, too poor and too dangerous for her, despite reciprocating her feelings. After several attempts to convince him otherwise, Tonks becomes depressed – as a result, her metamorphic abilities suffer and her Patronus changes. Tonks declares her feelings publicly after Bill Weasley is scarred by werewolf Fenrir Greyback and Fleur Delacour expresses her love for him regardless. Remus still protests, stating that their cases are not the same, as Bill will not transform into a werewolf, but they eventually begin a relationship.[6]
Remus married Tonks in the summer of 1997, and they had a child, Teddy Lupin, named after Tonks' late father in April of 1998, naming Harry Potter his godfather. However, Lupin and Tonks both die in the Battle of Hogwarts in May 1998, leaving their son behind in the care of his grandmother, Andromeda Tonks[7] – an incident eerily similar to Neville Longbottom, who was brought up by his grandmother as his parents were driven insane by Death Eaters. Teddy would also spend a great deal of time with the Potter and Weasley families growing up. His hair is described as tufty and rested on the colour turquoise, a bright florescent just like his mother[7].
Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley
Ron and Hermione.
Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were among the students who were very impressed by Remus’s teaching when he was professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts for their third year. Hermione deduced that Remus was a werewolf early in the year, but kept this discovery to herself, not even telling her best friends; this is likely because she disapproved of the prejudice against werewolves and knew exposing the truth would hurt Remus, of whom she had a high opinion. Although Ron initially reacted with fear to the revelation that Remus was a werewolf (due to the previously mentioned reason, see above), he continued to admire and like Remus afterwards. In turn, Remus was fond of Ron and Hermione, and was particularly impressed by the latter's cleverness.[3] Ron and Hermione were shown to be very trusting of Lupin. When he appeared at Grimmauld Place, they lowered their wands as soon as he declared his name, something he reproached them for, "speaking as their former Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Also, they both disapproved when Harry yelled at Remus for temporarily leaving his wife in a panic about her pregnancy, although they did not entirely disagree with Harry’s reasoning. [7] After Lupin was killed at the Battle of Hogwarts, both Hermione and Ron were very sad.
Albus Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore was considered by many as the greatest wizard of all time. One of the people who believed it was Remus. Dumbledore was Remus's headmaster during the latter's time at Hogwarts; Dumbledore accepted Lupin in his school, although he new Lupin was a werewolf. This might have been because Dumbledore was a good judge of characters, and could see Lupin was a very good person. Dumbledore was also the one who found and led the Order of the Phoenix, and trusted Lupin with many important missions. In 1993, Remus accepted Dumbledore's offer, to become the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. Dumbledore also trusted Lupin, despite the fact he was a werewolf, and he told Snape to give Lupin a Wolfsbane Potion. Remus and Dumbledore fought along during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, where they saw Sirius Black dying, by Bellatrix Lestrange. Remus told Harry Potter that he trusts Snape, because Dumbledore does so. In 1997, Remus was devastated by Dumbledore's death after the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, shouting: NO!. Remus fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, showing his faith to Dumbledore.
Weasley family
The Weasley family.
Remus was always friendly with the Weasley family. He knew Arthur Weasley since the First Wizarding War, and they became friends again after Dumbledore led the second Order of the Phoenix. Arthur and Remus fought together at the Battle over Little Whinging, where he was paired with George. He saved George's life as George could have fallen of his broomstick, when he was cursed by Severus Snape. Arthur later thanked him for caring about his son.
Remus also lived for some time with the Weasley family at 12 Grimmauld Place. There, Remus agreed with Molly not to tell Harry much about the Order of the Phoenix and Voldemort's plans. They also agreed that Harry was young; however, when Sirius argued with Molly, Remus didn't defend anyone.
Bill and Remus seemed to have been friends, as they fought together in several battles of the Second War; they were also the ones who attemped to find Mad-Eye's dead body after the Battle over Little Whinging was over. After the war, Remus and Tonks's son seemed to have a romantic relationship with Bill and Fleur's daughter.
Fred and George Weasley were also friends of Lupin. They were Lupin's students during their fifth year at Hogwarts and they also fought together at the Battle over Little Whinging. Remus protected George from being killed; however, George's ear was accidentally cut by Severus Snape. Lupin and the twins also found the Potterwatch and spoke to the wizarding community, gaving them hope. Both Fred and Lupin were killed during the Battle of Hogwarts.
He was also friend woth Ginny. He first met her at Hogwarts Express, saved her from the Dementors and gave her chocolate and comforted her. She started to like him, and he was one of her favourite professors at Hogwarts. They fought on the same side at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and survived the battle. When Remus had a son, Ginny was very happy. After the war, Ginny and Teddy became very friendly; he came to Ginny and Harry's house for dinner four times a week.
He also appeared to be friend of Charlie. Although they weren't very close, they seemed to have a good relationship at the few times they saw each other, because Charlie had a mission for the order, that wanted him to travel in Romania.
His relationship with Percy was almost unknown; when Lupin was Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Percy most likely thought he was a good teacher; they met each other again during the Battle of Hogwarts, when Percy told his family that he had left the ministry, and wanted to join the order.
The Weasley family was devastated when Lupin was killed; they were almost as sad as they felt by Fred's death.
Minerva McGonagall, his head of house.
Hogwarts staff
When Lupin was a student at Hogwarts, the professors seemed to like him, especially Minerva McGonagall, who was responsible of his house. Another professor at Lupin's time was Filius Flitwick, the charms professor. These professors possibly thought Lupin was a gifted wizard, and a very good person. They also made him a Prefect in his fifth year.
When Lupin became a professor, the other professors seemed to like him. They also respected him, except for Severus Snape. They either did not to care about the fact that he was a werewolf or did not show it as they were informed of his condition. When he left Hogwarts, the other professors were very sad. However, some of them fought at the Battle of Hogwarts along with Remus.
Hogwarts students
Remus became Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in 1993. Many of the students, including Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys, liked him, while other, such as Draco Malfoy, and several other Slytherins, disliked him and liked to insult him. Malfoy understimated Lupin because of his poor-looking appearance. He was also annoyed, seeing that Lupin wasn't particularly good to Draco, "because of his blood status". However, Lupin managed to be respected (and one of the best-liked professors), as he treated all the students by their personality and not by their magical abilities, their blood status and their wealth. When he left Hogwarts, the most residents of the school were very sad.
The original Order of the Phoenix.
Order of the Phoenix members
Remus had a good relationship with the most members of the Order of the Phoenix. Except Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, the Marauders, Lily Evans, Severus Snape, Nymphadora Tonks, Hermione Granger, the Weasley family and Minerva McGonagall, who were already mentioned, he was friends with many other members.
One of his friends through the order was Kingsley Shacklebolt. They fought together in several battles of the Second Wizarding War, and appeared to be close enough. They were also the founders of the Potterwatch. After Remus was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts, Kingsley was very sad.
He was also a friend of Alastor Moody. They fought together in many battles, but Moody was killed by Voldemort in 1997, during the Battle over Little Whinging. Remus was devastated, as many other members of the order.
He must have been also a friend of Elphias Doge, Sturgis Podmore, Hestia Jones, Emmeline Vance, Dedalus Diggle and Mundungus Fletcher, as they were all members of the Advance Guard. It is also possible that he was a friend of Arabella Figg, as Dumbledore once told Sirius Black to call Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg... the old companionship....
Many members of the Order of the Phoenix were killed during the wars. Remus was one of them. The few surving members were very sad, learining about Remus's death.
Son
Remus's son was born by Nymphadora Tonks in 1998. They named him Teddy, like Tonks's father. Once, Remus wanted to abandone his wife and unborn son, and help Harry, Ron and Hermione destroy Voldemort's horcruxes (although he didn't known about the horcruxes). However, he changed his mind with Harry's help, and returned to them again. Teddy was eventually born; Remus was very happy. When he was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts, his wife died too, at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. Remus appeared again through the Resurrection Stone; he admitted that he was devastated that Teddy would never know his parents, but he possibly realised, that they could met each other after death. Teddy grew up to spend most of his time with his godfather, and the Weasley family.
Etymology
Remus Lupin
- The name "Remus" comes from the brothers Romulus and Remus, the legendary brothers who fought in their adulthood, and of whom Romulus became the founder of Rome, who were cared for by wolves. Because of this, some fans speculated that Remus had a brother, but Romulus is merely the code name used by Lupin for Potterwatch.
- "Lupin", is derived from "lupus(a)", Latin for "wolf". Lupin thus means "wolflike" in Latin, and is also the name of a flower. Canis Lupus is the scientific name for wolf. To be described as "lupine" means to "resemble a wolf."
- It has also been speculated that his name comes from two Monty Python's Flying Circus skits: a repeated one involving "Professor R.J. Gumby", and one involving "Dennis Moore, the Lupin Thief".
Author's Comments
Remus stands anxiously in the Shrieking Shack.
J. K. Rowling has stated that Professor Lupin is the kind of teacher she wishes she had while she was a student. He is good-natured, kind, and able to extract the best in everyone — for example, in spotting Neville Longbottom's lack of confidence and helping him to overcome it by teaching him how to defeat the boggart. The fact that he is a werewolf and needs to take a potion to avoid hurting people for the rest of his life makes him a symbol of the consequences of prejudice and segregation, as well as society's often negative reaction to the ill and the disabled. Rowling has also stated that "Lupin's failing is he likes to be liked. That's where he slips up – he's been disliked so often he's always pleased to have friends so cuts them an awful lot of slack."[9] This is why, for instance, despite disapproving of his friends' bullying of Severus Snape, Remus never attempted to stop it.
Rowling has said that Remus is one of her favourite characters, and that if she could meet any of her characters, she would likely choose him.[10]
Behind the scenes
- J.K. Rowling stated that Remus would originally survive the final battle, and presumably live a happy life with his wife and son, despite his werewolf conditions. But Rowling could not bear to kill off Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, so Remus and Tonks, who had recently become parents, were killed off.
- In the film adaptation of the books, Remus is portrayed by David Thewlis.
- In the original draft of the seventh book, Remus survived the Battle of Hogwarts. But since J. K. Rowling "wanted to kill parents" and spared Arthur Weasley, Remus was killed instead. This implies that J. K. Rowling would have to slightly revise the scene where Harry summons the spirits of Sirius, Remus and his parents, possibly summoning Arthur instead of Remus.
- The witch who pushes the lunch trolley, Remus, and Horace Slughorn are the only adults ever to be seen travelling to Hogwarts on the school train in the series.
- The youngest of Harry Potter’s children, Lily Luna, may be named after Remus as well as Luna Lovegood, since his nickname was “Moony” and Luna is Latin for “moon”.
- With his marriage to Nymphadora Tonks, Remus became related through his wife to the Malfoys, the Blacks, the Lestranges, the Weasleys, the Potters, the Longbottoms, and other pureblood families.[11]
- It was predicted by many fans that Wormtail would kill Remus with his silver hand, as Remus is a werewolf. However, J.K. Rowling mentioned in an interview that, contrary to what is seen in movies, in her view werewolves are not affected by silver. Ironically the Marauder that does die by the silver hand is not Lupin, but Wormtail himself.
- In the film version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince', it appears that Remus and Nymphadora are already in a relationship thus omitting Lupin's concerns and Tonks's altered powers. Consequently, some key scenes feauturing Remus and Tonks are not feautured.
- In an earlier draft of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Defence Against the Dark Arts may have been taught by a woman.[12]
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (film)
Notes and references
- ↑ Mugglenet - Birthday archive: Remus Lupin
- ↑ World Book Day webchat, March 4, 2004
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- ↑ JK Rowling comments at Carnegie Hall
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- ↑ Bloomsbury Webchat with J.K. Rowling, 30 July 2007
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 26 June 2003 Interview with J.K. Rowling at Royal Albert Hall
- ↑ 15 August 2004 Edinburgh Book Festival with J.K. Rowling
- ↑ Black family tree
- ↑ HP Lexicon´s transcript of JKR´s notes