Harry Potter Lexicon Forum - -- Lupin is really James Potter

-- Lupin is really James Potter

Landman - Sep 1, 2003 10:50 am

Edited by Kip Carter Jan 12, 2006 12:17 pm

This is my favorite theory, because it seems the most probable to me, and I think the payoff for Harry would be the greatest. Since he lost his "parents" and his surrogate father Sirius, discovering his real dad living inside his good friend would be a strong emotional reveal near the end of the story. Here are the main points supporting the theory. I've taken these from the Ultimate Unofficial Guide to Harry Potter:

How did DD get James' Invisibility Cloak, and how did Hagrid get the key to the Potter's vault? Implication is that James/Lupin gave them to DD.

Unlke everyone else, Lupin never stared at Harry's scar or mentioned his eyes or resemblance to James (when he met him the first time.) Lupin acts like he already knows Harry. (PoA - Chapter 5)

Lupin seems to be able to read Harry's mind (PoA - chapter 8)

Harry tells Lupin that when a dementor gets near him, he hears his mum being murdered by Voldemort. On hearing this, Lupin had made "a sudden motion with his arm, as though to grip Harry's shoulder, but thought better of it." (Chapter 10) [There's no reason why Lupin should stop himself from just gripping Harry's arm unless he wants to distance himself emotionally from Harry.]

Trelawney said that Lupin "positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him" (Chapter 11) [He's obviously afraid of exposing something besides being a werewolf - since the whole staff already knew that.]

When Harry tells Lupin he is hearing his mum's voice louder, Lupin looks "paler than usual." Harry then tells Lupin how he hears his dad's voice for the first time trying to hold off Voldemort so his mother could escape. "'You heard James?' said Lupin in a strange voice." (Chapter 12)

Professor Lupin, who was "both shaken and pleased," comes over to congratulate Harry on his spectacular Patronus. (Chapter 13) [He was shaken from seeing his own Patronus - the Stag.]

"I certainly don't want Harry dead..." "An odd shiver passed over his face." (Chapter 17) [That's not just a teacher or friend saying that.]

Lupin: "Now that we could all transform." (Chapter 18) [ Why wouldn't he say "Now that they could all transform"?

Lupin has "no hesitation" about what Harry's father would think (Chapter 18) [Why is he so sure about what Harry's father would think?]

Lupin's first name is Remus - the legendary wolf-child who was murdered by his brother or his brother's followers (such as Pettigrew?)

Harry's father, James, is now stuck inside the body of one of his closest (but dead) friends. James is now, for all intents, Remus Lupin (complete with werewolf transformation.)

He is unable to reveal his identity(especially now that Voldemort is back) and is paranoid that his own emotions will make him weak and he will let the truth slip. He so badly wants to touch his son, but he doesn't dare.

BTW, James and Lupin, using a Switching Spell, probably performed by Lily, switched identities as one last precaution to protect the Potter line. Remember that Voldemort wants to extinguish all Potters. The real story behind this is still unknown, hopefully to be revealed in Book 6.

(508 previous messages)

Loopy Lupin - Oct 4, 2004 11:12 am (#509 of 528)

Indeed you are right Marcus. Alas, another theory down the tubes. Some may assume that I would take this opportunity to gloat. That's not my style. I'm actually having a bit "be careful what you wish for" type of feeling. I have wished that she would settle this topic. Now that she has, one of my favorite things to argue about has gone. Drat! Plus, what ever will "Lupin is Lupin" call herself now?

Diagon Nilly

- Oct 4, 2004 11:46 am (#510 of 528)

Edited by Oct 4, 2004 12:49 pm

I just finished digging a six-foot hole next to Mark Evan's plot, if any pallbearers care to bring this one down there.

Sob! Why is it always the young ones to go! Sob! Snort! Wheeze!

Ah, Loopy. I believe Lupin Is Lupin will start calling herself, "I Was Right All Along."

or maybe "Lupin is Lupin"

Dr Filibuster - Oct 4, 2004 11:48 am (#511 of 528)

She could call herself I told you Lupin is Lupin

Catherine - Oct 4, 2004 12:08 pm (#512 of 528)

Kim could be "Lupin always was, is, and will continue to be Lupin."

It would be rude and ungracious for me to offer a "I told you so," to Ms. Waters and all those who bought into this theory, so I won't say it.

But I might be thinking it!

Prefect Marcus

- Oct 4, 2004 12:36 pm (#513 of 528)

Yes, Catherine. People who crow usually end up eating a lot of crow.

Jennifer Anderson

- Oct 4, 2004 12:54 pm (#514 of 528)

I was just on Rowing's web site and she updated the FAQ and she said that James would never save himself and leave his wife and son to die.

Loopy Lupin - Oct 4, 2004 1:12 pm (#515 of 528)

She sure did, Jennifer. She sure did.

legolas - Oct 4, 2004 1:30 pm (#516 of 528)

For a theory that has been dispelled its getting a lot of posts :).

I Am Used Vlad

- Oct 4, 2004 1:56 pm (#517 of 528)

The same thing happened on the Mark Evans thread, legolas, after JKR told us he was nobody.

And to keep this on topic:

This is my first and last post on this thread, and all I have to say is "Thank Goodness."

Catherine - Oct 4, 2004 2:30 pm (#518 of 528)

Marcus,

I won't crow because I do not like the taste of crow, meself, but I will echo Vlad's sentiment's and say, "Thank you, JKR, for dispelling this theory."

Prefect Marcus

- Oct 4, 2004 2:39 pm (#519 of 528)

Edited by Oct 4, 2004 3:44 pm

Before this thread disappears into the great muncher, I would like to ask a question. Does anybody know if this theory was proported anywhere else, or is this board its main home.

I am just trying to get a handle on how seriously Rowling reads this board.

EDIT: Note to Catherine. I dislike the taste of crow, as well. That is why you shall never hear a gloat from me when a certain long-looked-for event occurs.

Aud Duck - Oct 4, 2004 3:42 pm (#520 of 528)

I think someone said it was from The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to Harry Potter, but I'm not entirely sure.

Hermy-own - Oct 4, 2004 3:52 pm (#521 of 528)

Edited Oct 4, 2004 4:52 pm

I've always had the impression that it was from elsewhere, Marcus.

hopping hessian - Oct 4, 2004 4:27 pm (#522 of 528)

Yes, aud duck, I'm pretty sure that Ms. Waters first suggested the theory and I was very happy to see it was untrue (sorry to be defensive, but Lupin is my favorite character from the series). Besides, I don't think it would have ended well for Harry. Could you imagine the anger and resentment that he would have felt? Not only would his father have been alive and not told him, but he would have let Harry live with the Dursley's most of his life, he would have spent a year with Harry without saying a word, worst of all, he would have allowed Lily to die (and Harry also if the AK hadn't backfired) to save himself. Add to this the fact that Harry's good opinion of his father has been shaken by what he saw in Snape's memory, there would have been definite issues.

Choices

- Oct 4, 2004 4:36 pm (#523 of 528)

I just finished reading the "Ultimate Guide to the Mysteries of HP" and this theory (James is Lupin) is indeed in there.

Catherine - Oct 4, 2004 5:13 pm (#524 of 528)

EDIT: Note to Catherine. I dislike the taste of crow, as well. That is why you shall never hear a gloat from me when a certain long-looked-for event occurs. --Prefect "Pansy-Proponent" Marcus

Yes, dear. IF it occurs, I am sure that you will prove to be the perfect gentleman. I daresay that IF it occurs, I might prove ladylike as well.

Cheers, Marcus! **lifts tankard of lemonade**

The Artful Dodger

- Oct 4, 2004 5:16 pm (#525 of 528)

Edited Oct 4, 2004 6:19 pm

Yes it's from that Guide originally , and if you go to the top of the thread you will see that the theory made it from there to the forum. I personally never believed James was in Lupin, because JKR doesn't play around with death, and rightly so.

timrew - Oct 4, 2004 5:23 pm (#526 of 528)

This theory is dead,
Close down the thread.
Don't be an agitator....
Be a moderator!

Sorry! Couldn't resist a bit of (C)rap there.......

This theory is dead....long live the next theory!

Weeny Owl - Oct 4, 2004 7:37 pm (#527 of 528)

I never believed this theory, but at the same time, it's another one that was fun to debate. <sigh>

I do hope that Marcus's Pansy theory isn't answered either way any time soon. It's another fun one; quite stimulating to debate with someone as astute as Marcus.

At least we still have plenty of Snape stuff to discuss. I'm sure Gina is pleased.

Kip Carter - Oct 4, 2004 8:31 pm (#528 of 528)

Edited Oct 4, 2004 9:31 pm

I have closed this thread down being that JKR has answered the question and moved it to the Archived Section of the Forum.