Happy Birthday, Remus Lupin

Today would have been Remus Lupin’s 57th Birthday if he had not tragically lost his life in the Battle of Hogwarts 19 years ago alongside his wife Nymphadora Tonks.

Remus Lupin was a kind, brave, intelligent man. He was an incredible friend to the Marauders, a loving husband, an and a father figure for Harry when he had none. Unfortunately he didn’t get much time with his own son, Teddy, but with parents like Remus and Tonks, we’re sure he still grew up to be just as good a man as his father.

Remus was born to Hope and Lyall Lupin. He was attacked by Fenrir Greyback when he was just 5 years old as revenge against his father, who was a ministry worker. His parents tried their best to find a cure but it was unsuccessful and he was destined to live out his life as a lycanthrope.

Thankfully Albus Dumbledore still allowed him to attend Hogwarts and even provided special accommodations to protect him and the other children. Dumbledore arranged for him to be brought to the Shrieking Shack once a month at the full moon to transform.

“My transformations in those days were — were terrible. It is very painful to turn into a werewolf. I was separated from humans to bite, so I bit and scratched myself instead. The villagers heard the noise and the screaming and thought they were hearing particularly violent spirits.”

He was sorted in to Gryffindor where he made fast friends with James, Sirius, and Peter. Once they found out about his transformations they decided to become animagi so they could safely accompany their friend during those difficult times.

“For the first time ever, I had friends, three great friends… I was terrified they would desert me the moment they found out what I was. But of course, they, like you, Hermione, worked out the truth…and they didn’t desert me at all. Instead, they did something for me that would make my transformations not only bearable, but the best times of my life. They became Animagi.”

Remus joined the Order of the Phoenix after graduating from Hogwarts, along with his friends. He fought bravely in the first Wizarding War, however, when it ended he was left lonely and in poverty after the death and imprisonment of his closest friends. It wasn’t until Dumbledore sought after him to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and told him that he’d be supplied with wolfsbane potion to help him control his lycanthropy that his luck started turning around.

He accepted the position, where he met Harry and took him under his wing in a sense, teaching him how to control his fear and fight off dementors. At the end of the year he was reunited though only briefly with his good friend Sirius, and pleased to hear that he had been innocent this whole time.

After Voldemort’s return, Remus rejoined the Order of the Phoenix where he met Nymphadora. They married shortly afterwards at a private ceremony. It wasn’t long after that Tonks became pregnant. Remus was emotionally torn over this fact, being thrilled to be a father, but terrified about it having the genetics of a werewolf, and not knowing what this would do to a child.

“Don’t you understand what I’ve done to my wife and my unborn child? I should never have married her, I’ve made her an outcast! And the child — the child…my kind don’t usually breed! It will be like me, I am convinced of it! How can I forgive myself when I knowingly risked passing on my own condition to an innocent child?! And if, by some miracle, it is not like me, then it will be better off, a hundred times so, without a father of whom it should always be ashamed!”

When his son was born, they named him Edward Remus “Teddy” Lupin, after Tonks’ father, who had recently been murdered by Snatchers after refusing to turn himself in.

When the Battle of Hogwarts started, Remus rushed to the scene, making Tonks promise to stay home with Teddy, however, she couldn’t bare the thought of him fighting without her and joined him later.

Tragically both Remus and Tonks lost their lives that night in the terrible battle on May 2nd, 1998. He did return to join Harry after his death when he utilized the resurrection stone, expressing regrets that he will not be around to see his son grow up.

“I am sorry too… Sorry I will never know him… but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand.”

Your death is one that struck us exceptionally hard in the books, Remus. It is tragic and unfortunate that after a lifetime of hardship, you got only such a small glimpse at a happy life with your family. You will never be forgotten though for the impression you left on those you met throughout your life was a memorable one. Your son will be proud to have such a great man for a father.

Happy Birthday, Remus Lupin