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dufferpuffer · 2 months ago

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~~ Looking at Lycanthropy ~~

Part 6: Pottermore and More

How 'canon' Pottermore (and other information outside the books) is differs between person-to-person. There's some additions I love, and some I wish I could remove from my memory... My view: if it doesn't conflict with the books and makes sense (or is simply pleasing) - then it may as well be considered canon... ...but there is still a meaningful distinction to be made for information from the story itself vs. additions made later or by other people. (Only new information and information I think is put in an interesting way.)

Looking at Lycanthropy (all parts)

Words: Approx. 12000 i think...?

Physical Symptoms (What they feel; what they do; what happens) Perceived Effects (What they look like to others; health focused) Social Perception (What people think; social situation) Self Perception (What the werewolf thinks about themselves) Potion/Other Treatment Information

--- --- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander Bloomsbury paperback – pg 92; Scholastic hardcover – pg 83

WEREWOLF M.O.M. Classification: XXXXX16 The werewolf is found worldwide, though it is believed to have originated in northern Europe. Humans turn into werewolves only when bitten. There is no known cure, though recent developments in potion-making have to a great extent alleviated the worst symptoms. Once a month, at the full moon, the otherwise sane and normal wizard or Muggle afflicted transforms into a murderous beast. Almost uniquely among fantastic creatures, the werewolf actively seeks humans in preference to any other kind of prey. 16 This classification refers, of course, to the werewolf in its transformed state. When there is no full moon, the werewolf is as harmless as any other human. For a heartrending account of one wizard's battle with lycanthropy, see the classic Hairy Snout, Human Heart by an anonymous author (Whizz Hard Books, 1975) Ministry of Magic (M.O.M.) Classifications Bloomsbury paperback – pg xxxvi; Scholastic hardcover – pg xxxv XXXXX = Known wizard killer/impossible to train or domesticate. XXXX = Dangerous/requires specialist knowledge/skilled skilled wizard may handle. XXX = Competent wizard should cope. XX = Harmless/may be domesticated X = Boring.

((This puts the transformed werewolf at the same threat level as (Bloomsbury paperback): the Acromantula, the Basilisk, Chimaera, Dragons, Horned Serpent, Lethifold, Manticore, Nundu (“This African beast is arguably the most dangerous in the world.”), Quintaped, Wampus Cat.))

- XXXXX classification doesn't mean they're as dangerous as a Nundu, or as strong as a Dragon – but they aren't to be underestimated. You aren't making friends via a hunk of steak and a bellyrub.

This rating suggests the Marauders may be some of the first people to discover that being an Animagi makes a werewolf passive - because surely, by technicality if anything, if that fact were well known then the M.O.M. Rating would be reduced to a XXXX? Because Wizards with certain skills CAN handle them: Animagi.

- Northern Europe... the image that brings to my mind are long winter nights, animals hibernating, 20hrs without sun... would that mean a werewolf on a winter Full Moon would spend that entire night transformed? Did Lycanthropy perhaps start as a sort of survival strategy? When food is low in the long, cold winters – a human gets a burst of magical energy to search for meat – like poor Buckbeak...? Maybe a starving werewolf is more likely to kill and eat its human prey, so in the winter they have more chance for food. In summer, when they don't need as much food, they spread the affliction.

- Werewolves seek humans in preference to other prey. Newt confirms Remus is a liar telling kids he is safe around non-humans... and makes it more confusing that skinny Sirius was enough to make him run away, when there was five defenseless humans to bite. Either he had some clarity-of-mind from taking most of his weeks Wolfsbane... or werewolves are less one-minded than people give them credit for, because that wasn't exactly XXXXX behaviour.

- Newt is sympathetic to the plight of werewolves – however, if he thinks Wolfsbane has 'to a great extent alleviated the worst symptoms.' then he is mistaken. It alleviates the symptoms that scare others most but the werewolf still suffers all the most grotesque and debilitating symptoms. (Love that he is continuing to make revisions of the book – Wolfsbane was only invented 1980ish or later.) - Newt is in the minority for thinking people afflicted by Lycanthropy are 'sane and normal'. - Good to have confirmation that Muggles can be werewolves. God, what a shocking introduction to the magical world... I doubt they'd be accepted into it. Shunned, pushed out – more for Greybacks communes...

There are books published about the experience of being a werewolf – but the author is anonymous? Damn. That says a lot. The author doesn't want to risk being revealed even when pushing for sympathy. (1975... I bet Albus got that book for Remus while he was at school. :^) )

--- --- The Tales of Beedle the Bard Bloomsbury hardcover – pg 60

More recently, the self-help book The Hairy Heart: A Guide to Wizards Who Won't Commit5 has topped bestseller lists. 5 Not to be confused with Hairy Snout, Human Heart, a heart-rending account of one man's struggle with lycanthropy.

For context: This is part of Dumbledores notes on “The Warlock's Hairy Heart” A hundreds-of-years-old story (pg 55) where a Warlock (clarified as being a Wizard with particular skill or achievement, in olden times especially in duelling; pg 57) decides, essentially, that Love will make him weak and thus removes his heart with a fictional Dark Magic (pg 45). His heart, kept safety locked away, grows hair from being outside of his body (pg 51). When returned to his chest it turns him into a 'violent animal', a deranged 'beast' that takes what he wants by force: a regular human heart again. (pg 52/53/54)

- Dumbledore likens the fictional act of removing ones heart – splitting their body in order to be invulnerable – to Horcrux, splitting ones soul in order to be immortal. (pg 58/59) However - while I don't think it is intended to be a story about Lycanthropy - there are parallels that might have influenced Wizarding culture and views. As he says on page 59/60: 'Though somewhat dated, the expression 'to have a hairy heart' has passed into everyday wizarding language to describe a cold or unfeeling witch or wizard.'

A 'hairy heart' is no longer human. Dark magic has twisted it. The wizard in the story, placing a hairy heart into his human body, killed a woman seeking her 'human' heart. He licked and stroked it, rather obscenely - hoping to exchange it for his own... killing himself in the process. (pg53/54) That has parallels to how Lycanthropy functions: one becomes 'hairy', unreasonable, violently seeking humans.

Perhaps the concept of werewolves helped form the basis of the story, who knows – but what I think is more interesting is the idea that having a 'hairy' core is cold, unfeeling and beastly... If it's a common stereotype, then perhaps it imprints onto actual hairy people, too...? Beings vs Beasts, Centaur called 'Horses' as an insult - even to silly extremes like 'people with lots of body hair are more beastly, and thus untrustworthy'.

- The Hairy Heart: A Guide to Wizards Who Won't Commit sounds exactly like a book Remus Lupin should read. Would he be a man described as having a 'Hairy Heart'...?

- Albus considers Hairy Snout, Human Heart a 'heart-rending' book much like Newt Scamander does. Wowee, big surprise. They are both known to be sympathetic to Beings and Beasts. We don't really know what public perception of the book is: it could be unpopular or controversial and they are trying to spread a more positive light on it.

- Hairy Snout, Human Heart as a book title could be a direct play on the concept of having a 'hairy heart' – the book trying to show that werewolves are human, not hairy-hearted at all. This would insinuate that werewolves are assumed to be hairy-hearted, supporting my overall theory B^)

--- --- Wizarding World 'Fact File' - Werewolf https://www.wizardingworld.com/fact-file/creatures/werewolf (Some text removed for brevity - as it repeats what has already been covered)

Werewolves were normally human in form until the rising of the full moon, at which point they would be physically and mentally transformed into a fearsome wolf-like creature that was uncontrollably violent. Werewolf bites could be deadly unless they were treated with silver and dittany at which point the wound could be sealed and the victim sentenced to life as a werewolf. Some relief could be found through Wolfsbane Potion which would allow a werewolf to retain its human mind during transformation. Lord Voldemort recruited the notoriously vicious werewolf, Fenrir Greyback, to be one of his followers. … … Dangers Actively seeks humans in preference to any other kind of prey Only dangerous in werewolf-form during the full moon and can be subdued with a Wolfsbane potion

- Transformation at the RISING of the Full Moon. Not at the direct touch of its light. This follows with my theory in Part 3 that the POA transformation was not the Full Moon... Though, the moons rising doesn't always happen at night. I would assume it means more the 'rising of the night of the full moon', as in when it gets dark enough that sunlight no longer drowns out whatever magic the Full Moon casts – but that is my theory.

- 'Uncontrollably violent' unless you are a skinny dog. The more I read the more I am convinced that Remus kept some of his mind during the transformation in PoA – enough to run away and resist biting.

- A far more accurate take on Wolfsbane here in that it gives 'some relief', that the werewolf-form is 'subdued' (sedated) and confirmation that the werewolf, on Wolfsbane, 'retains it's human mind'. That insinuates complete/near-complete conscious thought.

- Could the 'ointment' detailed in Part 5 be 'Silver and Dittany'? Bill's wound being dabbed to slowly seal the wound fits what is described.

--- --- Wizarding World 'Fact File' – Wolfsbane Potion https://www.wizardingworld.com/fact-file/plants-and-potions/wolfsbane-potion (Some text removed for brevity - as it repeats what has already been covered)

A complicated concoction, the use of Wolfsbane Potion was important in the relief of symptoms of lycanthropy. For werewolves desperate to avoid a full transformation during the full moon, Wolfsbane Potion could be taken every day for a week preceding the moon and would allow the drinker to retain their mental, human, faculties following physical transformation. The potion was brewed for Remus Lupin by Severus Snape to enable him to work as a Professor at Hogwarts without endangering his students.… … Allows a werewolf to transform while retaining their state of mind If doses are missed, full werewolf transformation is still possible

- 'For werewolves desperate to avoid a full transformation' So we know werewolves transform no matter what – but it is not regarded as a 'full' transformation if they keep their mind. I can only see werewolves being desperate for that if, like Remus, they are living amongst normal society: they aren't desperate for the potion to make them feel better but are desperate for help in making them less likely to be discovered – and less likely to be dangerous.

- The potion is taken every day for a week preceding the Full Moon. - More confirmation that the drinker retains human mental faculties. A human mind in a wolf's body – thus Remus didn't endanger students.

Here's a thought: - Would this potion be useful for a werewolf like Fenrir Greyback? He wouldn't need to 'position himself nearby to ensure a bite on a victim' – he could just... think. Act. Be aware of every bite. He could be more effective in spreading Lycanthropy.

--- --- There was nothing particularly interesting in the 'Fact File' for Remus Lupin, but there was this:

Hobbies Being with Tonks Being a Marauder Sneaking off to the Forbidden Forest and Shrieking Shack

Hahaha 'Hobbies'... have wife, have friends, transform... Aw man, there's something real tragic about this...

--- --- Werewolves Originally published on Pottermore on Aug 10th 2015 https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/werewolves

There are werewolves worldwide and they have traditionally been pariahs in the wizarding communities from which they often spring; witches and wizards who are frequently involved in hunting or studying such creatures are exposed to a higher risk of attack than the average Muggle. In the late nineteenth century the great English authority on werewolves, Professor Marlowe Forfang, undertook the first comprehensive study of their habits. He found that nearly all those he managed to study and question had been wizards before being bitten. He also learned from the werewolves that Muggles ‘taste’ different to wizards and that they are much more likely to die of their wounds, whereas witches and wizards survive to become werewolves.

- Werewolves have always been pariahs. A long history of rejection. - Magical folk that deal with them are the most likely victims. Makes sense – also means that those who understand them the most are more likely to become them. They know their lives, their habits, their social situation... and then they join it, and see it from their viewpoint. They cross the bridge and look back at where they once were. Does that lead to more werewolf pride, I wonder...? - Muggles tend to die from bites. Not too surprising, given we are less resilient to injury in general. I wonder if the monthly transformations are also more debilitating and dangerous to Muggles? - Some people specialize in studying werewolves... ...but probably not many, since it took until the 19th century to do a comprehensive study on werewolf habits. With a name like 'Forfang' I bet Professor Marlow became a werewolf eventually lol - Nearly all those Professor Marlowe Forfang questioned had been Wizards, few were Muggles/Squibs. - Muggles 'taste different' An instinct to aim for those more likely to survive? Magic has a flavor, apparently.

The Ministry of Magic’s policies on werewolves have always been muddled and inefficient. A Werewolf Code of Conduct was developed in 1637, which werewolves were supposed to sign, promising not to attack anyone but to lock themselves up securely every month. Unsurprisingly, nobody signed the Code, as nobody was prepared to walk into the Ministry and admit to being a werewolf, a problem from which the later Werewolf Registry also suffered. For years, this Werewolf Registry, on which every werewolf was supposed to enter their name and personal details, has remained incomplete and unreliable, because so many of the newly-bitten sought to conceal their condition and escape the inevitable shame and exile. Werewolves have been shunted between the Beast and Being divisions of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for years, because nobody could make up their minds whether a werewolf should be classified as human or bestial. At one point, the Werewolf Registry and Werewolf Capture Unit were both in the Beast Division, while at the same time an office for Werewolf Support Services was established in the Being Division. Nobody ever presented themselves for Support Services, for the same reasons that very few ever signed the Registry, and it was eventually closed down.

British bureaucracy sucks and can't even handle basic shit? Wow... how wacky... - So before the Statue of Secrecy werewolves were supposed to come reveal themselves and play nice? A rather demeaning ask: Most were likely already doing this, just in secret so they weren't shunned. Someone really woke up and said “Ok werewolves, scum by nature - come put yourself on a list”

In 1637, When Witch hunting was picking up in intensity and the Puritans growing in number? No shit it didn't work lol Maybe that's exactly why it happened: Muggles were becoming more violent, so they were trying to control Wizarding threats...? Picking on minorities to look better, look responsible, to Muggles? But enforced by who? How? What was the punishment for failure...?

- Shame, exile and lack of support directly leads to people not sharing their conditions...? wow what a surprise. - Even now society can't decide whether werewolves are Beings despite being fully human 353 nights a year. It's all very bleak.

- Love that the Registry and CAPTURE were in the same place, the Beast Division, despite werewolves being human - how demeaning. Would they have even known support services were in the Being division? Seems unlikely.

To become a werewolf, it is necessary to be bitten by a werewolf in their wolfish form at the time of the full moon. When the werewolf’s saliva mingles with the victim’s blood, contamination will occur. The many Muggle myths and legends surrounding werewolves are, in the main, false, although some contain nuggets of truth. Silver bullets do not kill werewolves, but a mixture of powdered silver and dittany applied to a fresh bite will ‘seal’ the wound and prevent the victim bleeding to death (although tragic tales are told of victims who beg to be allowed to die rather than to live on as werewolves).

- Love that 'Wolfish form' is the term for a transformed state. Epic. - Saliva mixed with a victims blood is how contamination occurs. I assume this means getting spit in a cut could be enough - or is at least not advisable - even in a human form, given what happened to Bill. What about saliva taken into the bloodsteam via eating it...? Is kissing safe? I would think so, otherwise there would surely be a few more contaminations like Bill.

- Silver does not kill werewolves - but Silver and Dittany on a fresh bite will 'seal' it in quotation marks? Also an Antifibrinolytic agent. Stopping the victim bleeding to death... well, Bill had his face torn apart, but there was no mention of blood being all over the sheets. I'd say that makes a strong case that Silver and Dittany is the ointment he was dabbed with.

- The clarification that Silver Bullets do not kill, but Silver is used to counteract elements of the transmitted curse... what is the effect silver has on a werewolf, then? Does a a werewolf in its human form suffer nothing from its touch? Perhaps a rash if wearing it against their skin too long? Would silver be uncomfortable in their Wolfish form? Would silver weaponry be a viable way to ward them off - as their curse reacts poorly to it...?

- People would rather die than be a werewolf, it's considered that horrible... and with most bites being those that hunt or study them, they would know well the world they are being forced to enter.

In the second half of the twentieth century, several potions were devised to soften the effects of lycanthropy. The most successful was the Wolfsbane Potion.

I assume these are the failed treatments Lupin's parent's tried. - Wolfsbane was devised not as a cure but to soften the effects. Devised as a treatment. I like that :^) It's nice when enough sensibility and care is taken to devise, from the start, not to shoot for the stars... but to help people stay afloat in the meantime. Shoutouts to the talented Potion Maker that didn't claim "I will CURE Lycanthropy"... but humbly said "I'll help them through the night."

The monthly transformation of a werewolf is extremely painful if untreated and is usually preceded and succeeded by a few days of pallor and ill health. While in his or her wolfish form, the werewolf loses entirely its human sense of right or wrong. However, it is incorrect to state (as some authorities have, notably Professor Emerett Picardy in his book Lupine Lawlessness: Why Lycanthropes Don’t Deserve to Live) that they suffer from a permanent loss of moral sense. While human, the werewolf may be as good or kind as the next person. Alternatively, they may be dangerous even while human, as in the case of Fenrir Greyback, who attempts to bite and maim as a man and keeps his nails sharpened into claw-like points for the purpose.

- Fenrir you fucking embarrassing nerd. Sharpens his nails into claws like a furry edgelord. I bet he calls his wolfish form 'shadowhunter' or something. Wolfquest is installed on his PC But seriously the claws he has are a choice, not a physical quality.

- Werewolf transformation is 'extremely painful'... 'if untreated'...? Treated how? How is the transformation treated? Wolfsbane...? Lupin says it is very painful to turn into a werewolf – and that even with the potion he still transforms, just 'keeps his mind'. Subdued. Does it also numb the pain a little?

- Transformation is preceded and succeeded by 'a few days of pallor and ill health'. We know this already, it's just nice to have it stated so plainly.

- There are books published that openly call for the death of werewolves in the very title. :^( - It is a common enough belief, before or after Emerett's book, that werewolves lack moral sense even as humans.

If attacked by a werewolf that is still in human form, the victim may develop certain mild, wolfish characteristics such as a fondness for rare meat, but otherwise should not be troubled by long-term ill effects. However, any bite or scratch given by a werewolf will leave lasting scars, whether or not he or she was in a wolf’s form at the time of the attack.

- Bill's wolfish 'rare' meat love (it says 'bloody' in the book) is one of 'certain' mild effects he will experience. That's... annoying. What are the others...? Does he have any sort of cycle? A slight growth of body hair? A struggle to sleep on the Full Moon? JUST the meat thing? Surely not. - ANY bite OR SCRATCH left by a werewolf, even in human form, leaves scars. Remus can't go biting or scratching. Judging by Greyback - if he doesn't keep his nails trimmed and scratches someone it'll keep bleeding until treated. Does this count for himself, too...? We have nothing that confirms Werewolves heal from injuries better, only things that vaguely suggests it. Fenrir making his nails sharp makes more sense now. Still funny.

While in its animal form, the werewolf is almost indistinguishable in appearance from the true wolf, although the snout may be slightly shorter and the pupils smaller (in both cases more ‘human’) and the tail tufted rather than full and bushy. The real difference is in behaviour. Genuine wolves are not very aggressive, and the vast number of folk tales representing them as mindless predators are now believed by wizarding authorities to refer to werewolves, not true wolves. A wolf is unlikely to attack a human except under exceptional circumstances. The werewolf, however, targets humans almost exclusively and poses very little danger to any other creature.

- Specific differences to wolves: slightly shorter snout; pupils smaller (both more human); Tail is 'tufted' rather than full and bushy. Tufted as in a lion tail...? Or more like a poodle, which (apparently) have longer bushier hair at the ends of their tails accentuated by grooming...? I'm thinking if the spine extends... then the end of the spine on the human form grows fur first, becoming the tip of the tail as the spine lengthens out away from the body? For a moment, the werewolf looks like it has a bunny tail haha. - Folk tales depicting wolves as monsters are thought to actually refer to werewolves as true wolves are intelligent and often passive. A werewolves Wolfish form is less intelligent than a True Wolf. Also this strongly suggests 'True Wolf' means a regular wolf, not surprising. - Werewolves target humans 'almost exclusively' and pose very little danger to any other creature – although we know from the books that werewolves not only kill other animals but EAT them... So do they pose a lethal danger? Or barely any? Which is it? I'm believing more and more my 'survival strategy' theory that well fed summer werewolves focus on biting, winter werewolves focus on feeding...

Werewolves generally reproduce by attacking non-werewolves. The stigma surrounding werewolves has been so extreme for centuries that very few have married and had children. However, where werewolves have married human partners, there has been no sign of their lycanthropy being passed to their offspring.

- Werewolf 'reproduction' is considered to be spreading Lycanthropy rather than breeding.That is certainly how the disease/curse/virus/condition spreads itself. It dehumanises the werewolf to being a vessel: the werewolf isn't reproducing, their Lycanthropy is... But then again, perhaps that's apt? When they breed the child isn't a werewolf.

- The stigma is so intensely bad for werewolves that very few have had children – even within their own groups. They don't feel confident in raising a baby safely when everyone is a werewolf - there would be nobody to treat the bite wounds... - Lycanthropy is not passed through blood, egg or sperm – only saliva on the Full Moon. Unsurprising that it isn't passed down to offspring.

One curious feature of the condition is that if two werewolves meet and mate at the full moon (a highly unlikely contingency which is known to have occurred only twice) the result of the mating will be wolf cubs which resemble true wolves in everything except their abnormally high intelligence. They are not more aggressive than normal wolves and do not single out humans for attack. Such a litter was once set free, under conditions of extreme secrecy, in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts, with the kind permission of Albus Dumbledore. The cubs grew into beautiful and unusually intelligent wolves and some of them live there still, which has given rise to the stories about ‘werewolves’ in the Forest – stories none of the teachers, or the gamekeeper, has done much to dispel because keeping students out of the Forest is, in their view, highly desirable.

- Thanks, I hate it.

- Werewolves mating on the Full Moon is unlikely...? That... is surprising, considering there's groups of werewolves that live nearby eachother, all transforming on the same night... You know what that means...?

~~Horny Werewolf is dead.~~ Werewolves are NOT horny near or on the Full Moon. They feel sick before - and during have other shit to do - like pass on their Lycanthropy. THAT is 'Horny Werewolf Breeding Season'.

Everyone pack up, go home – leave your alpha-Remus at the door. The LAST thing on his mind near the Full Moon is sex.

- Two transformed werewolves mating will have a litter of highly intelligent wolf cubs that do not hunt humans. Ignoring the image of a human carrying a pregnancy of multiple canines for a moment – Lycanthropy as a condition isn't just shapeshifting. It's put WOLF into human veins. I... dislike this unnecessary complication, not gonna lie. It changes the content of every egg in the ovaries – and then back again...!? Does the wolfish form share the same ovulation period as the human form? Is 'old' stored sperm still human sperm, but as the wolfish form produces more through the night... it's wolf sperm? When they turn back into a human do they still have wolf sperm for a bit? Oh my goddddd

- Albus Dumbledore under secret conditions allowing the release of werewolf-born Wolves – nice. Keeps the kids out the forest, while posing very little actual danger. Even werewolf-born Wolves, despite being intelligent and passive to humans, face prejudice and misunderstanding. Gotta be sneaky.

--- --- Remus Lupin Originally published on Pottermore on Aug 10th 2015 https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/remus-lupin (Since this isn't a character study on Remus – I'll try to only include things relevant to experiencing life with Lycanthropy. A lot of text is removed for brevity.)

By the time that Remus was four years old, the amount of Dark magical activity across the country was increasing steadily. While few yet knew what lay behind the mounting attacks and sightings, Lord Voldemort’s first ascent to power was in progress and Death Eaters were recruiting all kinds of Dark creatures to join them in their quest to overthrow the Ministry of Magic. … … It was here that Lyall came face-to-face with a werewolf called Fenrir Greyback, who had been brought in for questioning about the death of two Muggle children. The Werewolf Registry was badly maintained. Werewolves were so shunned by wizarding society that they generally avoided contact with other people; they lived in self-described ‘packs’ and did all they could to avoid being registered. Greyback, whom the Ministry did not know to be a werewolf, claimed to be nothing more than a Muggle tramp who was utterly amazed at finding himself in a room full of wizards, and horrified by the talk about the poor, dead children. Greyback’s filthy clothing and lack of wand were sufficient to persuade two overworked and ignorant members of the questioning committee that he was telling the truth, but Lyall Lupin was not so easily fooled. He recognised certain telltale signs in Greyback’s appearance and behaviour and told the committee that Greyback ought to be kept in detention until the next full moon, a mere twenty-four hours later.

- Unclear whether Werewolves are yet considered 'Dark Creatures' Death Eaters recruited - but I think it is insinuated.

- Insinuated here also that Fenrir killed two Muggle children – and feels no remorse, lying and pretending not to know... but that would have either been a month ago, on the last full moon (as the next one is only 24hrs away) – or he killed them in his human form recently. He does like tearing young soft throats... and Muggles 'taste different'

- Werewolves choose not to have contact with the people that shun them – and called their groups 'Packs'.

- Fenrir Greyback was not yet known. He looked 'like a Muggle tramp' - dirty appearance later was genuine, not just to play up his fearsome image. Also... it's a little chilling to think how he could have learned how to 'act like an amazed Muggle tramp'... I wonder if he has ever revealed magic to them before, only to kill them for fun?

- Greyback doesn't have a wand with him. We know he is adept at using a wand in the 90s... has he ever had his own wand? Has it been stolen? Broken in some fight? Or safely put away somewhere for the upcoming Moon? 24hrs is rather early...

- There are 'telltale signs' in 'appearance and behaviour' that someone is a werewolf. As it's so close to the Full Moon, perhaps it's being peaky and pale...

Greyback sat in silence while Lyall was laughed at by his fellow committee members (‘Lyall, you just stick to Welsh Boggarts, that’s what you’re good at’). Lyall, generally a mild-mannered man, grew angry. He described werewolves as ‘soulless, evil, deserving nothing but death’. The committee ordered Lyall out of the room, the head of the committee apologised to the Muggle tramp and Greyback was released.

Lyall, a man who studies Dark beings, is able to spout vile things right infront of a werewolf, with full confidence. Either it is truly what he believes - or it is so commonly parroted in society that it slips off the tongue without much thought: Soulless. Evil. Deserving nothing but death.

The wizard who escorted Greyback out of the inquiry was intending to place a Memory Charm upon him, so that he would forget having been inside the Ministry. Before he had a chance to do so, he was overpowered by Greyback and two accomplices who had been lurking at the entrance, and the three werewolves fled.Greyback lost no time in sharing with his friends how Lyall Lupin had just described them. Their revenge on the wizard who thought that werewolves deserved nothing but death would be swift and terrible. Shortly before Remus Lupin’s fifth birthday, as he slept peacefully in his bed, Fenrir Greyback forced open the boy’s window and attacked him. Lyall reached the bedroom in time to save his son’s life, driving Greyback out of the house with a number of powerful curses. However, henceforth, Remus would be a fully-fledged werewolf.

- Greyback had two friends waiting for him – his 'pack', surely. He wasn't alone, even at this earlier time in life before he was a leader, and they already had desires for revenge against those who were cruel.

- Greyback still had the clarity of mind to open and climb through a window when transformed!? Apparently the sun sets at around 6pm in March in the UK – I guess its possible Remus goes to bed before then...? a 6pm bedtime at nearly 5 is rough... but if he went to bed after sundown, like 7:30pm - surely Fenrir's wolf mind would have gotten bored and left. I suppose Fenrir must have enough mind to stick to a plan. - Powerful curses are enough to drive away Greyback after successfully biting his prey. Too bad Lyall didn't have a skinny dog.

Lyall Lupin never forgave himself for the words he had spoken in front of Greyback at the inquiry: ‘soulless, evil, deserving nothing but death’. He had parroted what was the common view of werewolves in his community, but his son was what he had always been – loveable and clever– except for that terrible period at the full moon when he suffered an excruciating transformation and became a danger to everyone around him. For many years, Lyall kept the truth about the attack, including the identity of the attacker, from his son, fearing Remus’s recriminations. … … Lyall did all he could to find a cure, but neither potions nor spells could help his son. From this time onwards, the family’s lives were dominated by the need to hide Remus’s condition. They uprooted themselves from village to town, leaving the instant that rumours of the boy’s odd behaviour started. Fellow witches and wizards noticed how peaky Remus became as a new moon approached, not to mention his monthly disappearances. Remus was not allowed to play with other children, in case he let slip the truth of his condition. In consequence, and in spite of his loving parents, he was a very lonely boy.

- It WAS parroted - it came easily to his tongue because it's the common societal view: Werewolves deserve death. They have lost their soul and become evil.

- Being bitten didn't change Remus at all. He was still a clever little boy. A clever little boy that suffered excruciating pain.

- Lyall tried his best but there was nothing that worked - likely all the attempted potions referenced on the Werewolves Pottermore page.

- Magical folk are keyed into Astronomy and moon cycles – so they noticed when the little boy who never played with anyone became ill and disappeared at the same time every month. The backlash would be so harsh the best option they had was to move and start fresh... every few months. Remus grew up lonely. His parents' lives were dominated by his care. They were likely lonely, too – moving towns... who would be friends with the parents of a werewolf?

While Remus was small, his containment during his transformation was not difficult; a locked room and plenty of silencing spells usually sufficed. However, as he grew, so did his wolfish self, and by the time he was ten years old, he was capable of pounding down doors and smashing windows. Ever more powerful spells were needed to contain him and both Hope and Lyall grew thin with worry and fear. They adored their son, but they knew that their community – already beset with fears at the mounting Dark activity around them – would not be lenient on an uncontrolled werewolf. The hopes that they had once had for their son seemed in ruins, and Lyall educated Remus at home, certain that he would never be able to set foot in school. Shortly before Remus’s eleventh birthday, no less a person than Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, arrived uninvited on the Lupins’ doorstep. Flustered and frightened, Lyall and Hope tried to block his entrance, but somehow, five minutes later, Dumbledore was sitting at the fireside, eating crumpets and playing Gobstones with Remus.

- Young werewolves aren't as strong. They get stronger with age – getting bigger. Your Wolfish form correlates to your human form.

- He was scary enough that his parents 'grew thin' after five years of dealing with him. At ten he could bash down doors and windows.

- They loved Remus and taught him at home - but had no hopes for society accepting ever him, or for him amounting to much. None. It was so impossible for society to accept him that they tried to stand up against Dumbledore, thinking he had ill intent. Even his Muggle mother tried to stop him, to defend her son from a Wizard. I wonder what ill intent they feared Albus was bringing...? Taking Remus away somewhere? Are werewolves sometimes hurt or taken away, for no crime...?

- Unrelated to werewolves but I just want to say that when Albus was a kid icecream sellers didn't exist in England - but there WAS the Muffin Man, who would walk around with crumpets and muffins, ringing a bell so all the kids would hear. It's really cute and sweet that he's doing something he remembers from his own childhood to connect with Remus??? Out of touch grandpa doing his best

Dumbledore explained to the Lupins that he knew what had happened to their son. Greyback had boasted of what he had done and Dumbledore had spies among Dark creatures. However, Dumbledore told the Lupins that he saw no reason why Remus should not come to school, and described the arrangements that he had made to give the boy a safe and secure place for his transformations. Due to the widespread prejudice around werewolves, Dumbledore agreed that for Remus’s own sake his condition should not be broadcast. Once a month, he would leave for a secure and comfortable house in the village of Hogsmeade, guarded by many spells and reached only by an underground passage from the Hogwarts grounds, where he could transform in peace.Remus’s excitement was beyond anything he had known before. It was the dream of his life to meet other children and have, for the first time, friends and playmates.

- Greyback is proud of biting the kid of a bigot. He knows to the vast majority being a werewolf is a punishment - and uses it as such. Does HE think of it as a punishment...? Or has he 'saved' Remus...? - Werewolves are counted as 'Dark Creatures'

- Dumbledore had already made the arrangements to shelter Remus, to support his individual needs and understands his need for utter secrecy – before even confirming whether he was going. Extremely pro-werewolf and doesn't treat them as an afterthought. Highly unusual.

- It is not illegal for Remus to attend school – but is frowned upon enough to warrant all this work. Like a wholeass tunnel and tree - before even knowing if he was coming to the school - he REALLY wanted him there.

- The 'Shrieking Shack' is described at this point in time as a 'comfortable house' – it was made to be pleasant, and secure.

- Remus' biggest dream in life was to have friends to play with.

Inevitably, his three best friends soon became curious as to why Remus had to vanish once a month. Convinced by his lonely childhood that his friends would desert him if they knew that he was a werewolf, Remus made up ever more elaborate lies to account for his absences. James and Sirius guessed the truth in their second year. To Remus’s astonished gratitude, they not only remained his friends but thought up an ingenious method of easing his monthly isolation. They also gave him a nickname that would follow him all through school: ‘Moony’. … … The death of James Potter, along with his wife Lily, at the hands of Lord Voldemort, was one of the most traumatic events of Remus’s already troubled life. His friends meant even more to him than to other people, because he had long since accepted the fact that most people would treat him as untouchable, and that there could be no possibility of marrying and having children. Even worse, within twenty-four hours he had also lost his two other best friends.

- Remus had his dream come true, he had friends, but was so used to having to run away. He would rather lie than trust.

- James and Sirius figured out the truth in second year. They were bright boys – but I'm sure sharng a dorm and Astronomy classes helped. In any case - they were 12 when they figured him out. 13 max. That's following only information they knew from Wizarding society trickling through their parents - or from an early lesson in DADA. Is he really that obvious? Or do they just have no filter? "Going away again Remus? Full moon tonight - what, are you a werewolf?" (Remus sweats profusely) "....N-No. That's crazy...."

- Remus was grateful they didn't hate him. Not just happy, or excited, or relieved - he felt it was something undeserved. - Losing his friends was traumatic. He expected to never get new people who cared about him. His friends were a miracle.

- Werewolves are treated as untouchables - and Remus accepts that werewolves are untouchables.

He had lost his three close friends and, with the Order disbanded, his previous comrades returned to busy lives with families. His mother was now dead, and while Lyall, his father, was always delighted to see his son, Remus refused to endanger his father’s peaceful existence by returning to live with him.Remus now lived a hand-to-mouth existence, taking jobs that were far below his level of ability, always knowing that he would have to leave them before his pattern of growing sick once a month at the full moon was noticed by his workmates.

- Lyall loved him but Remus felt guilt over how stressful he was, and likely blamed himself for his friends' death in an illogical 'bad things happen to those who care about me, I am cursed' way. He would rather live hand-to-mouth, earn money and spend it immediately on food and board, than 'burden' someone. ...His mother dead, but father happy to see him - I wonder if Lyall and Hope planned on having more children, but couldn't because of Remus...? Muggles aren't as hardy as Wizards are - and they both became thin from the stress and struggles of raising Remus. Of about 72 Full Moons in a row. Did Remus' condition bring his mother closer to death?

- He could only take basic jobs for short periods due to his condition, never getting to know anyone or forming a support network. - He left BEFORE his pattern was noticed, not WHEN it was noticed like his parents did. Now THAT is an unhealthy coping strategy.

One development in the wizarding community gave Remus hope: the discovery of the Wolfsbane Potion. While this did not prevent a werewolf losing his human form once a month, it restricted his transformation to that of an ordinary and sleepy wolf. It had always been Remus’s worst fear that he would kill while out of his right mind. However, the Wolfsbane Potion was complex and the ingredients very expensive. Remus had no chance to sample it without admitting what he was and so he continued his lonely, itinerant existence. … … Once again, Albus Dumbledore changed the course of Remus Lupin’s life when he tracked him down to a tumbledown, semi-derelict cottage in Yorkshire. Delighted to see the Headmaster, Remus was amazed when Dumbledore offered him the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. He was only persuaded to accept when Dumbledore explained that there would be a limitless supply of Wolfsbane Potion, courtesy of the Potions master, Severus Snape.

- Remus' worst fear is killing someone while 'under the influence'. Completely understandable - just wanted to point out that it isn't just 'being seen', or 'being thought of as a monster'... Which lines up with how he acts. When Hermione revealed him in PoA he openly confirmed it. He didn't lie or obscure - nor did he yell at Ron for treating him like a monster. What he DID do was spend ages carefully explaining how, despite being dangerous, he prioritized control.

- Wolfsbane is complex, ingredients expensive – and restricts his transformation to a 'sleepy wolf'. Sleepy. Restricted. Subdued. It's a sedative. Perhaps being sleepy cuts some pain out, too - as insinuated before. It would certainly at least stop him scratching and biting himself.

- No matter how scared he was of killing – he was more afraid of 'admitting what he was in order to sample some'. What does that mean? Would going on the Werewolf Registry give you chances to have Wolfsbane? Doubtful, because that would actually be a good move by the Ministry. Was it perhaps for testing? Hospitals studying its effects? Being a guinea pig...?

- Despite choosing loneliness for himself, despite pushing away those he cared about, despite thinking himself a burden, despite being apprehensive to accept opportunities when they came... He was still happy to get a visit from Dumbledore. Still amazed be treated as someone worth effort by him. Still desired to belong somewhere. To feel safe. To go home. His childhood dream of friendship, acceptance and belonging still lives in him. It's just trodden down and crushed.

At Hogwarts, Remus revealed himself to be a gifted teacher, with a rare flair for his own subject and a profound understanding of his pupils. He was, as ever, particularly drawn to the underdog, and both Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter benefited from his wisdom and kindness. However, Remus’s old flaw was at work. He had grave suspicions about one of his old friends, a known fugitive, but did not share them with anyone at Hogwarts. His desperate desire to belong and to be liked meant that he was neither as brave nor as honest as he ought to have been. An unfortunate combination of circumstances arose that resulted in Remus undergoing a true werewolf’s transformation in the grounds of the school. Severus Snape’s resentment, never abated by Remus’s subsequent respectful politeness, made sure that it was widely known what the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was. Remus felt obliged to resign and departed Hogwarts once more.

- Remus is an underdog himself, though I doubt he thinks of himself in that way - he would 'accept his role in the world' - but he understands the desire to be 'good enough' and 'belong' when there are troubles outside your control. He understands how impactful encouragement is. That understanding and guidance of others does not extend to himself. He won't gently guide himself like he would a student – he will avoid his fears and let himself be cowardly, untruthful and irresponsible for the sake of scraps of affection. He won't be as brave or honest as he would encourage in others, as he deeply believes he does not deserve it.... he isn't an underdog, just a beast.

- The transformation at the end of PoA was 'a true' one. True, as before, meaning 'doesn't have mental clarity'. It wasn't 'incomplete' or 'partial' from most of a weeks worth of potion. One missed potion is enough.

- Remus was not forced to quit, he felt obliged to resign. Instantly. While he had Dumbledore, ever supporting and sympathetic, in the room - and Harry wanting him to stay. He didn't talk to anyone, he didn't say goodbye to the kids, he wasn't even going to say goodbye to Harry. He didn't pass go or collect $200 - he didn't even let Albus walk him to the gate. He just skedaddled. He hadn't gotten a single hateful letter yet... but he is used to leaving before they have the chance. While he can still pretend he is liked and wanted.

As Lord Voldemort once again gained ascendancy, the old resistance regrouped and Remus found himself once more part of the Order of the Phoenix. This time, the group included an Auror who had been too young to belong to the Order during its first incarnation. Clever, brave and funny, pink-haired Nymphadora Tonks was a protégée of Alastor ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody, the toughest and most grizzled Auror of them all. Remus, so often melancholy and lonely, was first amused, then impressed, then seriously smitten by the young witch. He had never fallen in love before. If it had happened in peacetime, Remus would have simply taken himself off to a new place and a new job, so that he did not have to endure the pain of watching Tonks fall in love with a handsome, young wizard in the Auror office, which was what he expected to happen. However, this was war; they were both needed in the Order of the Phoenix, and nobody knew what the next day would bring. Remus felt justified in remaining exactly where he was, keeping his feelings to himself but secretly rejoicing every time somebody paired him with Tonks on some overnight mission. It had never occurred to Remus that Tonks could return his feelings because he had become so used to considering himself unclean and unworthy. One night when they lay in hiding outside a known Death Eater’s house, after a year of increasingly warm friendship, Tonks made an idle remark about one of their fellow Order members (‘He’s still handsome, isn’t he, even after Azkaban?’). Before he could stop himself, Remus had replied bitterly that he supposed she had fallen for his old friend (‘He always got the women.’). At this, Tonks became suddenly angry. ‘You’d know perfectly well who I’ve fallen for, if you weren’t too busy feeling sorry for yourself to notice.’Remus’s immediate response was a happiness he had never experienced in his life, but this was extinguished almost at once by a sense of crushing duty. He had always known that he could not marry and run the risk of passing on his painful, shameful condition. He therefore pretended not to understand Tonks, which did not fool her at all. Wiser than Remus, she was sure that he loved her, but that he was refusing to admit it out of mistaken nobility. However, he avoided any further excursions with her, barely talked to her, and started volunteering for the most dangerous missions. Tonks became desperately unhappy, convinced not only that the man she loved would never willingly spend time with her again, but also that he might walk to his death rather than admit his feelings.

- Interesting that Remus falls for a woman that is effortlessly all the things he tries hard to come across as - brave, clever, good humored, capable.

- Remus had never fallen in love before. Demi...? And/or would run away before he actually got to know anyone well enough. He never lets himself care about anyone enough. He isn't good enough to have anyone care about him. She will like just 'some other dude', because he isn't possibly on her radar, even though he delights in her company and has a warm friendship. He is too 'unclean' and 'unworthy'. The self loathing is so fucking real. And also so fucking obvious - Tonks has already clocked him as not only liking her but being too self-hateful not to realize she likes him back.

- He allows himself happiness for only a fleeting moment before grinding it under his heel. It is FACT he cannot be happy, ever, and anyone who likes him will suffer because of it. He will cause misery himself, by his own control, rather than allow himself to cause accidental misery later. It's inevitable, after all. He would rather die than face having his deepest hopes and dreams crushed again.

Remus came face-to-face with both Greyback and Tonks at Hogwarts barely a year later, when the Order clashed with Death Eaters within the castle. During this battle, Remus lost yet another person he had loved: Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore had been adored by every member of the Order of the Phoenix, but to Remus, he had represented the sort of kindness, tolerance and understanding that he had received from nobody in the world outside his parents and his three best friends, and had been the only man ever to offer him a position within normal wizarding society. In the aftermath of the bloody fight, inspired by Fleur Delacour’s protestation of enduring love for Bill Weasley, who had been savaged by Greyback, Tonks made a brave, public declaration of her feelings for Remus, who was forced to admit the strength of his love for her. In spite of continuing misgivings that he was acting selfishly, Remus married Tonks quietly in the north of Scotland, with witnesses taken from the local wizarding tavern. He continued to fear that the stigma attached to him would infect his wife and wished for no fanfare around their union; he swung constantly between elation that he was married to the woman of his dreams and terror of what he might have brought upon them both.

- Love that Tonks is given as much weight as Greybac. Both make him face aspects of his being he really wants to avoid: His Lycanthropy, his image, his fate... his humanity, his dreams. Both are heavy burdens to carry. Both are realities that are painful.

- Dumbledore was the only person outside his friends and parents to fully accept him. To understand him. To support him. Want him. Not just put up with him, holding their tongue on prejudice or ignoring the 'ugly' bits. (Part of that will that he doesn't let others get close enough, like Tonks and Harry.)

- Tonks was brave for her public declaration - in ways deeper than just being brave to love someone openly. Loving HIM openly is an act of self social mutilation... how could he NOT love her?! His parents loved him regardless of their declining health. His friends became Animagi just to be with him. Dumbledore have him a home, an education, a job - endless support. And Tonks was willing to submit herself to his same social class just to love him. True acceptance is a siren song too strong to resist. Even if it lands to 'irresponsible' decisions he will 'regret'. Like going on Full Moon adventures... or withholding information.

Within a few weeks of their marriage, Remus realised that Tonks was pregnant and every fear he had ever had surfaced. He was convinced that he had passed on his condition to an innocent child and that he had condemned Tonks to the same life as his mother, forever moving around, unable to settle, having to hide her increasingly violent child from sight. Full of remorse and self-recrimination, Remus fled, leaving the pregnant Tonks, seeking out Harry and offering to accompany him on whatever death-defying adventure awaited. To Remus’s shock and displeasure, the seventeen-year-old Harry not only declined his offer but became angry and insulting. He told his ex-teacher that he was acting selfishly and irresponsibly. Remus responded with uncharacteristic violence and stormed out of the house, taking refuge in a corner of the Leaky Cauldron, where he sat drinking and fuming. However, after a few hours’ reflection, Remus was forced to accept that his ex-pupil had just taught him a valuable lesson. James and Lily, Remus reflected, had stuck with Harry even unto their own deaths. His own parents, Lyall and Hope, had sacrificed their peace and security to keep the family together. Bitterly ashamed, Remus left the inn and returned to his wife, where he begged her forgiveness and assured her that, come what may, he would never leave her again. For the rest of Tonks’s pregnancy, Remus eschewed missions for the Order of the Phoenix and made it his first priority to protect his wife and unborn child.

- Remus wasn't just scared for Teddy's health - he compared Tonks to his mother, scared he would have doomed her to a life of moving and stress... and Remus couldn't even help her: He would transform too - Tonks having to handle both him and his son alone. That is terrifying, and running away understandable - if of course not the right option. He simplifies the issues in her life... potentially saves her from death by stress.

- Remus would rather go and do something highly important that could kill him. Coping strategy: be useful or die a hero. Sounds a lot like how both James and Sirius died: Taking deadly risks to 'do the right thing' at great pain to their loved ones.

- Having his flaws and failings to plainly pointed out to him, rather than being unfairly hated or treated with gloves... broke Remus. He was utterly unlike himself. Deranged. Emotional. Forced to face his choices as a human, propperly, by a man he respects. How did he deal with this pain? He drank alcohol. It is an interesting choice: A substance that causes a clouding of the mind, a loss of motor control... encourages poor decision making... The things he hates about his transformation, He indulges in here. The pain of his humanity making him want to turn to his wolf...?

- Harry's family gave him strength... but so did his own. Which I like more personally - Harry saying Remus should be prepared to stay and die like his own father did rather than try to find a way to not repeat history is an understandable thing for an emotional 17yr old to say - but it stinks. Remus pulling from his own parents' staying there for him no matter what... better.

The Lupins’ son, Edward Remus (‘Teddy’), was named for Remus’s recently deceased father-in-law. To both parents’ relief and delight, he showed no sign of lycanthropy when born, but inherited his mother’s ability to change his appearance at will. On the night of Teddy’s birth, Remus briefly left Tonks and his son in the charge of his mother-in-law, so that he could go and find Harry for the first time since their angry confrontation. Here, he asked Harry to be Teddy’s godfather, feeling nothing but forgiveness and gratitude towards the person who had sent him home to the family that gave him his greatest happiness.

- Both parents has concerns Ted would be a werewolf, despite that not being how it works... - Ted showed no signs at birth. What would those signs be...? If you can tell who is a werewolf by 'clear signs' - why are they so rarely spotted? - Remus' greatest happiness was his wife and child. Remember his dream as a kid...? To have other kids to play with? To be accepted, normal, not have to hide - and just play?

Both Remus and Tonks returned to Hogwarts for the final battle against Voldemort, leaving their tiny son in the care of his grandmother. The couple knew that if Voldemort won this battle, their family was sure to be eliminated: both were notorious members of the Order of the Phoenix, Tonks was a marked woman in the eyes of her Death Eater aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, and their son was the very antithesis of a pure-blood, having many Muggle relatives and a dash of werewolf. Having survived numerous encounters with Death Eaters and fought his way skilfully and bravely out of many tight corners, Remus Lupin met his end at the hands of Antonin Dolohov, one of the longest-serving, most devoted and sadistic of all Voldemort’s Death Eaters. Remus was no longer in prime fighting condition when he rushed to join the fight. Months of inactivity, using mostly spells of concealment and protection, had blunted his duelling capabilities, and when he ran up against a dueller of Dolohov’s skill, now battle-hardened after months of killing and maiming, his reactions were too slow. Remus Lupin was posthumously awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, the first werewolf ever to be accorded this honour. The example of his life and death did much to lift the stigma on werewolves. He was never forgotten by anyone who knew him: a brave, kind man who did the best he could in very difficult circumstances and who helped many more than he ever realised.

- I left a lot in here because it always makes me cry, for real - and now you will cry too. Suffer.

- 'Antithesis' of a Pureblood is muggle heritage, plus something that 'taints' - like Lycanthropy. Interesting. Is that worse than being Muggleborn...? Does this insinuate that Fenrir Greyback could be Pureblood...? - Remus was the first werewolf to be awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class. Probably the first to be awarded anything, lets be real. What was he awarded it for...? - Remus' story was inspiring and helped cause some change.

- He never got to know he was eventually awarded and respected. He died believing he would have to battle for Tonks and Ted his entire life. Even with the war won and they were safe his life would be a struggle, like his own father. :^)

~~~ ~~~ Summary of part (italics + small are my own thoughts/theories)

Lycanthropy is believed to originate in Northern Europe. (FB by N.S.) Contamination occurs when werewolf saliva mixes with the blood of a victim, such as through a bite. (Werewolves Pottermore) It causes a transformation every month into a wolf-like creature that's uncontrollably violent. (Werewolf Fact File) The term for a werewolves transformed state is their 'Wolfish Form'. (Werewolves Pottermore)

A werewolves Wolfish Form is considered so dangerous it has a XXXXX M.O.M. Classification – a Wizard Killer; Impossible to train or domesticate – the same league as Dragons, Nundu and Acromantula. (FB by N.S.) A child's Wolfish Form is able to be kept contained by a locked room with silencing spells, but by ten years old they are strong enough to pound down doors and smash windows. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

'True Transformation' is the term for a werewolf's Wolfish Form who is not on Wolfsbane. (Remus Lupin Pottermore) A Wolfish Form is unique amongst beasts for seeking human prey and rarely targeting other animals. (FB by N.S.) (Werewolves Pottermore) Muggles are said to taste different and tend to die from their bites. Only a low portion of the werewolf population are Non-Magical. (Werewolves Pottermore) As the treatment for fresh bites is Silver and Dittany, it could be that Muggles simply don't get proper treatment and bleed out.

Theory: Originating from a part of the world with long winter nights, low density human populations, difficult to traverse winter landscapes and not much food in winter that isn't meat... Perhaps Lycanthropy was a way to survive? We know that while werewolves prefer human prey they are capable of killing and eating animal prey. Perhaps a starving mid-winter werewolf will spend the long nights devouring prey they cannot hunt as a human – large magical game or even other humans, ones that taste different and are less likely to survive (Muggles) or accidents from being too desperate and uncontrollably violent to simply bite and run. In summer, with a full belly and no snow, perhaps they are less likely to hunt other animals and instead seek out people – to bite and spread the condition.

Despite being so uncontrollably violent, there seems to be some ability to think within the Wolfish Form's mind... perhaps a healthy werewolf with a full belly? Even in a 'true transformation' a werewolf has the potential to stick to a plan, opening a window and crawling inside to bite someone – as Frenrir Greyback achieved when biting Remus Lupin. He was driven back after the bite by 'powerful hexes'. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Wolfsbane potion allows a Werewolf to retain its mental human faculties and subdues it. Restricts the transformation to being a sleepy wolf. (Werewolf Fact File)(Wolfsbane Potion Fact File)(Remus Lupin Pottermore) Wolfsbane is for werewolves desperate to avoid a 'full transformation' and is taken every day for a week preceeding the Full Moon. If doses are missed a 'full transformation' is still possible. (Wolfsbane Potion Fact File) As the potion retains mental faculties: A 'full transformation' is thus a loss of human thought and instead natural violence and clouded mind – synonymous with True Transformation. This suggests they are not desperate for relief from the other symptoms of Lycanthropy like pain and illness – they are desperate to just fit in a little better. Not lose themselves. Not pose a threat. It is a complex potion made from expensive ingredients. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Werewolf transformation is extremely painful and is usually preceded and succeeded by a few days of pallor and ill health. (Werewolves Pottermore) The term 'usually' is interesting here. I would assume having better health, like Fenrir Greyback, would deal better – while someone as sickly as Remus Lupin would have rougher symptoms.

Newt Scamander says 'recent developments in potion-making have to a great extent alleviated the worst symptoms'. (FB by N.S.) Many potions were devised in the second half of the 20th century, with Wolfsbane being the most successful. (Werewolves Pottermore) Wolfsbane is the only known treatment, it was invented by at earliest 1978 – and it only keeps the werewolves mind human while in its Wolfish form and sedates them. This means Newt believes a werewolves 'worst symptoms' are the lack of mental clarity and abundance of drive to move and hunt. Not the pain, loss of bodily identity and control or days of illness accompanying it. Remus felt hopeful about the Wolfsbane potion being developed – but would have to reveal himself to sample it, or be far richer to buy it, so did not get to have any. Despite his adoration for Albus Dumbledore and his desire to belong, to have friends – Remus only accepted the role of being a teacher when he was offered endless Wolfsbane potion. His worst fear is killing someone while unaware in his wolfish form. (Remus Lupin Pottermore) Theory: I'd say he was hopeful it truly would fix him and let him live normally. It didn't. That might have helped with how flippant he was about taking it in PoA. Werewolf transformation occurs at the rising of the Full Moon. (Werewolf Fact File) ...Though this does not line up with other information we have, how characters act around werewolves nor even what we see happen in Prisoner of Azkaban. In Part 3 I detail a theory on how the 'once a month Full Moon transformation' actually seems to work. Werewolves have to lie about themselves constantly in order to fit in. However, due to the cyclic nature of Lycanthropy, the telltale signs can be difficult to hide for more than a few months. It took less than two years for some twelve year old boys to figure Remus out – in a place like Hogwarts where the idea of a werewolf being there would be preposterous. (Remus Lupin Pottermore) A werewolves Wolfish Form has some key differences to True Wolves: A slightly shorter snout and smaller pupils (both more 'human') and a tufted tail rather than full and bushy. True Wolves are intelligent and typically passive animals – folk tales that depict wolves as monsters are these days thought to be referring to werewolves. (Werewolves Pottermore) The Muggle myth of Silver Bullets is not real and silver does not kill werewolves – however, Silver and Dittany on a fresh bite will 'seal' the wound and prevent potential death by bloodloss. (Werewolf Fact File) (Werewolves Pottermore) Theory: Silver, an antibacterial metal, has an effect on Lycanthropy that stops its intended function. If we think of Lycanthropy as a virus, bacteria or parasite that takes over its host when the magic from the Full Moon is at its most potent – is Silver uncomfortable for it? Could silver weaponry help ward off Werewolves? I wonder if, at their most potent, Werewolves have a mild silver allergy.

Even if a werewolf is in their human form, a victim may develop mild wolfish characteristics from blood contamination by their saliva – such as a fondness for rare meat. Any bite or scratch from a werewolf in any form will leave lasting scars. Fenrir Greyback sharpens his nails into claw-like points in order to maim and kill as a human. (Werewolves Pottermore)

Werewolves were considered some of the 'Dark Creatures' the Death Eaters were recruiting in the 1960s. Despite this, werewolves with Muggle heritage are considered equal or worse to Muggleborn's to the Death Eaters – at least by the 1990s. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

In the early 1960's Fenrir was unknown to be a werewolf, and could successfully pretend to be a Muggle tramp to Wizards who didn't know better: filthy clothing and lack of a wand... but had friends he lived with and boasted to, who fought for him and were just as angry about treatment towards them as Fenrir was. He still showed 'telltale' signs of Lycanthropy (likely because it was 24hrs till the next Full Moon) however and someone with a trained eye, such as Lyall Lupin, could recognised he was potentially a werewolf. (Remus Lupin Pottermore) Theory: Fenrir killed two Muggle children while in Human Form. It is insinuated – through him being pulled in as a 'Muggle Tramp', it being a month since the last Full Moon, the mention of the Death Eaters recruiting Dark Creatures to hate Muggles with them, Fenrir's apparent love for young soft flesh as a human – and his blatant avoidant lying when questioned.

Werewolves are 'untouchables' and do not expect to have children. (Remus Lupin Pottermore.) 'Reproduction' is considered to be via contamination of non-werewolves as they rarely mate in Human or Wolfish Form. Werewolves that mate in their Human Form do not produce werewolf offspring – but regular humans. However, if two werewolves were to meet and mate on the Full Moon, a rare occurrence, a litter of puppies similar to True Wolves will be produced – but even more intelligent and rarely aggressive. (Werewolves Pottermore) This heavily suggests that being a werewolf isn't a very sexually-charged existence – else werewolves that live together on the edge of society would be having kids in both Human and Wolfish forms. Human form mating results in human children – who are at risk of being bitten and dying by their own parents. Wolfish Form mating is considered to be very rare – so they are too uncontrollably violent and not interested enough in sex to try.

Albus Dumbledore secretly released a litter of werewolf-born wolves into the Forbidden Forest, giving rise to legends of werewolves inhabiting the forest and discouraging humans from entering it – while posing very little actual danger. (Werewolves Pottermore)

Remus Lupin had never fallen in love before he met Tonks – and if he had, he would have run away. Nymphadora Tonks was considered brave to reveal she loved him regardless of the inevitable shunning she would be subjected to. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Remus left when Tonks got pregnant because he feared having a werewolf son aswell as himself would have given her the same life as his mother – having to move frequently, becoming thin with stress and worry - dying early. However having a family was Remus' greatest happiness. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Loving families had no options when it came to treatments in the 1960s. The shunning was so bad that Lupin's family had to move house every time rumors grew about him due to his monthly peaky visage and disappearances. He wasn't allowed to play with other children, isolated and lonely – his parent's lives were dominated by caring for him, teaching him at home and keeping themselves safe every Full Moon. His parents grew thin with worry and fear as, every year, their little boy's Wolfish Form got bigger and stronger with him – and they had no social support or potential future for him. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Despite being 'untouchables' – when there is no Full Moon werewolves are as harmless as any human. Werewolves are sane and normal wizards and Muggles. (FB by N.S.) Getting Lycanthropy changes nothing about who you are as a person. Remus was just as clever and loveable as before he was bitten. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

There is an autobiography by an anonymous werewolf called 'Hairy Snout, Human Heart' published by Whizz hard Books, 1975. Described as 'a heartrending account of one wizard's battle with Lycanthropy' by both Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore. (FB by NS – and Beedle the Bard) Did the publishing of this book cause a push for the development of a treatment...? :^) I've seen a theory that this book was written by Remus Lupin himself – white cute, I doubt it. Remus was 15 at the time it was published and is not the type of man to want to broadcast his experiences, even if anonymous. He isn't out here fighting for werewolf rights – he is trying to be 'a good one'. Werewolves are traditionally pariahs. (Werewolves Pottermore) Werewolf bite victims are 'sentenced' to life as a werewolf. (Werewolf Fact File) There are stories of victims who beg to be allowed to die rather than live as a werewolf. Witches and Wizards that involve themselves with werewolves, like hunting or studying them, are more likely to be bitten. (Werewolves Pottermore) It is those who know werewolves and their life situation best that then find themselves on the other side of that fence – and their immediate reaction is to beg to die. Prof. Marlowe Forfang in the late 19th century did the first comprehensive study on werewolf habits. (Werewolves Pottermore) With a name like Forfang... was he soon to be bitten himself, I wonder? B^)

There has long been attempts to expose and list Werewolves. In 1637, before the Statue of Secrecy, a Werewolf Code of Conduct was attempted – asking werewolves to sign and promise not to attack anyone and lock themselves up every Full Moon. Nobody signed as no werewolf was prepared to reveal themselves so brazenly. Werewolves have been shunted between the Beings and Beasts divisions in the Ministry for years, sometimes services split between them. At once point, Werewolf Register and Capture were in the Beast division – while an office for Werewolf Support Services in the Being division. Nobody went to the Support Services and it was shut down. (Werewolves Pottermore)

Common view in Wizarding communities that werewolves are 'soulless, evil and deserve nothing but death'. They are shunned that that avoid other people and form 'packs', avoiding being registered. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

There are books published that freely spread misinformation against werewolves, such as Prof. Emerett Picardy's book 'Lupine Lawlessness: Why Lycanthropes Don't Deserve to Live', which state things such as werewolves permanently lacking moral sense. (Werewolves Pottermore)

Remus' parents were so fearful of how utterly shunned they were that they tried to prevent Albus Dumbledore from seeing their son – though he was only there to discuss good news: he was going to be sneaky in order to smuggle Remus into Hogwarts and keep him safe. A comfortable house through a long underground tunnel guarded by a magical tree... just so Remus had a chance at an education. Remus was more excited than anything he had felt in his life at being allowed to go to Hogwarts. His dream was to be able to play with other kids and make friends. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Nobody had ever shown Remus true kindness, tolerance and understanding outside of Albus Dumbledore, his parents and his three friends at school. Remus felt gratitude for his friends not hating him for being a werewolf. He thought such acceptance would never grace him again – making it extra traumatic when his friends all died/were locked away. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Remus' family always loved him, always fought for him, his father was always happy to see him – but he avoided him as a young adult, as to not 'endanger his peaceful existence' with his presence. He cared so much about this he chose loneliness and utter poverty, a hand-to-mouth existence of small jobs he frequently had to flee before being caught out, to simply living with his loving father. Remus lived in a tumbledown, semi-derelict cottage. (Remus Lupin Pottermore) It is either all he could afford – or he was squatting. Remus is drawn to nurturing 'underdogs' – but doesn't consider himself one, at least not consciously. He doesn't nurture himself to be as brave nor as honest as he does his students. He considers himself 'unclean and unworthy' of others. Remus felt obliged to leave Hogwarts as soon as he was found out – he was never fired, and had not even faced any backlash or shunning yet. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

Remus is the only werewolf to be awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class – and his life story and martyrdom lifted a lot of stigma against werewolves. (Remus Lupin Pottermore)

#hp #remus lupin #love you remus #remus my beloved #hp meta #fenrir greyback #pottermore #lycanthropy #this one was HARD to get done for some reason #my brain didnt like it #so im just gonna post it as is for now ugh i dont wanna look at it anymore

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