Draco seems to hold a grudge against Lupin for stopping him from getting into it with Harry (69), and for no other reason we're shown. I can't recall how Lupin treats the Slytherins in his class, if it's mentioned at all. I doubt he'd intentionally treat them unfairly; he's extremely interested in being the best teacher he can be.
I think this is no more than an example of Draco being a plain, old-fashioned snob. We've seen him do it before, with the Weasleys--they're Pureblood (as we are reminded quite constantly), but they're poor, and Draco likes rubbing their faces in it. Lupin may be a teacher--an authority figure--but he's obviousy too poor to look the part. (Draco may not like Dumbledore much, but at least he's not just a step above being on the state dole.) So much of Draco's self-image is based on wealth and influence, and so much of his loathing of the Weasleys and now Lupin is based on poverty and at least apparent lack of influence (or interest in influence!)... I think that the loss of it is going to really throw him into a tailspin.
This is quite different from Ron's initial "disgust" with Scabbers when we meet them in PS/SS. It's important now that we see Ron loving and caring for him, so that we can be suitably horrified when we learn the truth.
I just did a post about HP characters and their pets, and I think that Ron is shown to be a great deal like Molly, especially with the twins. Harry isn't fooled by his gruffness; he knows how miserable Ron is when he loses Scabbers and doesn't take the taunting of Pig seriously for that reason. It's important in this particular scene because Ron is being outright laughed at over his concern for Scabbers. Ron has pride issues, but that loyalty of his comes through here.
The scene between Lupin and Snape is so hard to re-read, just because, unlike Harry, we know what these two men are doing to one another. Lupin's approach is totally unflappable, and that has to drive Snape crazy. I wouldn't call it "passive-aggressive," just because that (to me) seems to imply a kind of sympathy play, which Lupin doesn't do. He doesn't give a rip what Snape thinks of him.
It's a good point that he's doing what Dumbledore does. Of all the characters, I think Lupin is the one being most groomed to take over for Dumbledore after Dumbledore's undoubtedly noble demise. And what better symbol than the werewolf for the mostly good man who makes horrendous mistakes? I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Remus as headmaster in the end. I don't think it's inevitable or anything, but I do think it would fit quite well with the personalities.
There's also the possibility that Lupin's politeness to Snape isn't entirely aggressive. Oh, it has its aggressive element and it drives Snape bonkers, but it could be an honest effort at being mature. Lupin's approach, whatever else it is, is a proper adult response. He's remaining cheerful and collegial and polite. Snape comes off as holding a childish grudge in comparison. Now this is in Lupin's interest, but I don't think it's a false split. Lupin's probably had some time to reflect on the way Snape was treated since the night Sirius tried to feed Snape to him, and he may well feel that he at least owes civility.
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Date: 2004-05-07 01:53 pm (UTC)I think this is no more than an example of Draco being a plain, old-fashioned snob. We've seen him do it before, with the Weasleys--they're Pureblood (as we are reminded quite constantly), but they're poor, and Draco likes rubbing their faces in it. Lupin may be a teacher--an authority figure--but he's obviousy too poor to look the part. (Draco may not like Dumbledore much, but at least he's not just a step above being on the state dole.) So much of Draco's self-image is based on wealth and influence, and so much of his loathing of the Weasleys and now Lupin is based on poverty and at least apparent lack of influence (or interest in influence!)... I think that the loss of it is going to really throw him into a tailspin.
This is quite different from Ron's initial "disgust" with Scabbers when we meet them in PS/SS. It's important now that we see Ron loving and caring for him, so that we can be suitably horrified when we learn the truth.
I just did a post about HP characters and their pets, and I think that Ron is shown to be a great deal like Molly, especially with the twins. Harry isn't fooled by his gruffness; he knows how miserable Ron is when he loses Scabbers and doesn't take the taunting of Pig seriously for that reason. It's important in this particular scene because Ron is being outright laughed at over his concern for Scabbers. Ron has pride issues, but that loyalty of his comes through here.
The scene between Lupin and Snape is so hard to re-read, just because, unlike Harry, we know what these two men are doing to one another. Lupin's approach is totally unflappable, and that has to drive Snape crazy. I wouldn't call it "passive-aggressive," just because that (to me) seems to imply a kind of sympathy play, which Lupin doesn't do. He doesn't give a rip what Snape thinks of him.
It's a good point that he's doing what Dumbledore does. Of all the characters, I think Lupin is the one being most groomed to take over for Dumbledore after Dumbledore's undoubtedly noble demise. And what better symbol than the werewolf for the mostly good man who makes horrendous mistakes? I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Remus as headmaster in the end. I don't think it's inevitable or anything, but I do think it would fit quite well with the personalities.
There's also the possibility that Lupin's politeness to Snape isn't entirely aggressive. Oh, it has its aggressive element and it drives Snape bonkers, but it could be an honest effort at being mature. Lupin's approach, whatever else it is, is a proper adult response. He's remaining cheerful and collegial and polite. Snape comes off as holding a childish grudge in comparison. Now this is in Lupin's interest, but I don't think it's a false split. Lupin's probably had some time to reflect on the way Snape was treated since the night Sirius tried to feed Snape to him, and he may well feel that he at least owes civility.