Remus Lupin, New Head of the Order of the Phoenix
| Mad-Eye Moody: A Bit too Moody |
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The biggest clue pointing to Lupin is that he and Moody are now the only two members of the Order who say the name 'Voldemort'.
But Moody does not strike me as a good candidate. His paranoia is so unlike Dumbledore's "give 'em another chance" attitude. Also, Moody's personality suggests that his management style (but not his ethics!) would resemble that of Rufus Scrimgeour.
In OotP 9, Moody's less-than-perfect people skills are demonstrated when he tries to "interest" Harry in an old photograph of the Order:
"I've got something that might interest you.... Original Order of the Phoenix."
[Harry] did now know why he had received such a shock... to have them sprung on him like that... No one would like that, he thought angrily....
Well, Moody might find that interesting...he, Harry, found it disturbing.
| Lupin's Dumbledore-ish Traits |
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Lupin, like Dumbledore, seems very reluctant to pass any final judgment on people:
"I neither like nor dislike Severus."
Also note the similarity of language. Who, besides Dumbledore, ever calls Snape by his first name alone?
Lupin's current duty for the Order involves contact with werewolves. Because the werewolves lean heavily toward Voldemort, this also reminds me of Dumbledore's "second chance" philosophy. His willingness to go "living among my fellows" is not unlike Dumbledore's trip into the Forbidden Forest to rescue Umbridge from the Centaurs.
As a bonus, Lupin -- unlike Arthur, Kingsley, McGonagall, and others -- is unemployed. He can work for the Order full time.
Harry trusts Lupin, which is vital for the next leader of the Order. Although Harry also trusts Arthur, McGonagall, and others, he is much more at ease with Lupin.
| Leading during Dumbledore's Absence |
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In OotP chapter five, Harry wanted to know all about the doings of the Order, prompting this exchange:
"Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?" asked Sirius.... "He's got the right to know what's been happen[ing]..."
"It's not down to you to decide what's good for Harry!" said Mrs. Weasley sharply.... "[Dumbledore said] The bit about not telling Harry more than he needs to know."
Molly and Sirius go back and forth... and back and forth... it's nearly comical. Mrs. Weasley turns to Arthur for help, but Arthur's opinion does not resolve the situation. It is Lupin who ultimately decides:
"Personally," said Lupin quietly... "I think it better if Harry gets the facts -- not all the facts, Molly, but the general picture -- from us, rather than a garbled version from...others."
Lupin, like Dumbledore, commands attention when he speaks quietly. Another brilliant parallel is that Lupin is obviously aware of the eavesdropping via Extendable Ears, but lets them get on with it.
The scene continues with more arguments from Molly and Sirius until Lupin commands:
"Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry," said Lupin sharply. "Sirius, sit down."
Lupin then asks for Harry's choice on the matter (Dumbledorish again). They tell Harry a great deal, and Lupin decides when they've said enough:
"Why not?" said Harry quickly. "I'll join..."
"No."
It was not Mrs. Weasley who spoke this time, but Lupin.
"I think Molly's right, Sirius. We've said enough."
The interaction in chapter three, The Advance Guard, is more subtle. Moody has what I would call 'Operational Command.' He directs the arrangement of the flying squadron and determines the route:
They altered their course every now and then according to Mad-Eye's instructions.
But Remus quietly retains the power to overrule him:
"We ought to double back for a bit, just to make sure we're not being followed!" Moody shouted.
[Tonks complains]
"Time to start the descent!" came Lupin's voice. "Follow Tonks, Harry!"
| Hints from the end of Half-blood Prince |
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We get a (possible) tidbit in HBP during the Battle of the Tower. First, recall that from OotP that Fawkes (in the Ministry Atrium) literally ate a death that was intended for Dumbledore.
Lupin: "he [a Death Eater] came running back downstairs to rejoin the fight and was hit by a Killing Curse that just missed me."
Finally, we'll observe this curiousity:
"Ron -- Dumbledore's dead," said Ginny.
"No!" Lupin looked wildly from Ginny to Harry... Lupin collapsed into a chair beside Bill's bed, his hands over his face. Harry had never seen Lupin lose control before; he felt as though he was intruding upon something private, indecent.
We expected Hagrid to be crying his eyes out (he was) and certainly McGonagall would be stunned, perhaps briefly faint (Pomfrey conjured her a chair). So Harry sees nothing odd in these two reactions. By contrast, Lupin is normally stoical -- his condition requires it. And he's not under any personal protection from Dumbledore (as Hagrid and Snape have sometimes been, for example).
McGonagall has inherited "only" the leadership of Hogwarts. She is understandably tense, but she's done this job before. She can handle it.
Only Lupin is in a uniquely uncomfortable role. He alone (save for Harry, of course) can no longer look to another for leadership. Thanks to general Ministry incompetence, he's now the top man in the fight against the Death Eaters. His reaction to Dumbledore's death is that of a man who's just acquired an enormous and unpleasant responsibility.
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