Meaning of the Name: Remus is,
according to the legend, the name of one of the founders of Rome (Romulus &
Remus). Wolves raised both of them. Lupin comes from the Latin word
"lupus" which is Latin for "Wolf-like". Lupin is also
another name for Wolf bane, which supposedly turns one into a werewolf.
Physical Appearance: We don't really know that much about how he
looks like. He is described as a tired looking man, light brown hair flecked
with gray that makes him look older than he actually is, and a very kind face
that looks like it has been through a lot. His robes are rather shabby and
covered in patches.
How do we imagine him? Well, quoting one of our members :
"Lovely soft, almost fluffy toasted light brown hair, with streaked
gray. His eyes .... are gray, or tinted slightly with blue. He has got cheery
wrinkles at the corners of his eyes...but he seems to wear a dry, but polite
smile. He radiates an air of serenity and peace. His clothes are gray, with dark
gray patches. When he walks, he barely makes a sound. His fingers are long but
graceful and he owns pink eyelids. He's got gray thin lips .. and almost tussled
hair, which is not dreadfully neat, but not wildly messy. He's pleasant looking,
with a soft smile. He always looks slightly tired and sometimes thin and worn.
He looks like he needs a meal or two. He has a long slender neck, and a somewhat
long body. He is rather faded in his appearance, with a handsome face"
-Elixia
And his smile ...
"A weak smile (yes, he is always smiling but I always picture his smile
as seeming sort of sad). A closed-lips smile that says "Everything sucks
but I am still here for you" (not that he'd ever actually say anything like
that) and then a different smile, when he's actually happy. Still closed lips (I
just don't see him flashing his teeth around like Lockhart) but sort of raised
higher on one side and amused looking. Oh! And there's his wry smile. I can't
really describe that one ...there's the sad but polite smile, the amused smile,
and the wry smile that it's almost like a grimace except it's a smile"
-Lunastortah
Life History: We don't know the exact date of his birth, and we
are not sure exactly when he became a werewolf. We only know he was still a
small boy when he was bitten. "I was a very small boy when I received
the bite" he explains to everyone in Book 3. The experience of becoming
a werewolf is quite painful, not only physically but mentally and having to deal
with prejudice does not help. But prejudice is something Remus Lupin has never
been able to escape. Prejudice almost kept him out of Hogwarts, but thanks to
the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore he was able to enter the school as a regular boy
would, but taking extraordinary precautions for the full moon. Before the moon
came out he was squeezed by the Whomping Willow into the Shrieking Shack where
he would remain until he was back to his original form. But Lupin still felt
uncomfortable. Prejudice did not haunt him for the first time in his life, but
it was only because people did not know what he was. That changed when he met
James Potter, Sirius Black & Peter Pettigrew, who became his friends and
accepted him even when they discovered the truth. They not only accepted him ..
they came up with a crazy idea to be able to stay with him during the
transformations. They became Animagi.
After graduation Lupin encountered prejudice again and had a very hard time
keeping a job because of what he was. After James & Lily Potter died,
betrayed by a dear friend to him he stayed alone until Dumbledore offered him
the job as DADA teacher during Harry's third year. It would all be well as long
as he took some precautions. There was a new potion that allowed him to keep his
mind while he was in werewolf form and not hurt anyone. So he took the job.
He was well liked at Hogwarts. With him as the teacher DADA became the favorite
class of many. He allowed his students to face the dark arts and guided them
through the process, even teaching Harry how to fight Dementors. However, one
night while checking the Marauder's Map he saw something unbelievable and ran
out to the Whomping Willow without taking his potions. Once everything was
cleared and they were exiting the Willow he became a wolf and without the potion
wasn't able to control himself. After that incident he decided the best thing he
could do was leave Hogwarts because he was putting his students in danger. The
only thing we've heard about him after that is that Dumbledore has probably
summoned him to help fight against He-who-must-not-be-named.. But we will know
more in Book 5 ...