Remus Lupin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lupercusna) wrote2003-04-06 12:42 pm
lupercusna) wrote2003-04-06 12:42 pm
(no subject)
Yesterday, I gave Professor McGonagall my resignation. She immediately tore it to pieces and called me a few choice names in her own, fond way.
It's strange what times such as these will bring out in the people around you.
When word reached me of the owl that Dean recieved from his parents, I wish I could say that I was shocked. Sadly, I wasn't. All too often have there been cases of parents becoming too blinded by their own fear and doubt to be able to see their child for who he really is, and has always been. It sounds completely outrageous that any mother and father could ever be ashamed of their child for who - or what - he is, but there you have it. "Ain't nowt as queer as folk," as my grandmother liked to say.
Then I spoke to Minerva and discovered that Dean had mentioned mine and Sirius's upcoming wedding, and a terrible thing occured to me: I've never seen fit to hide who I am and who I love. It comes from having too many secrets in your life to begin with. This number on my arm proclaims me to be a werewolf to the entire world, and I have learned to wear it proudly. It never even occured to me not to be just as open about other aspects of my life, as well.
(Sirius: "You couldn't hide if it we had an Invisibility Cloak, you great ponce.")
But what if this was having some kind of influence over the students, or what if my presence were making the children or their parents uncomfortable? If having a teacher who is one of the stately homosexuals of merry olde England has become a problem, then the solution seemed simple: resign. For Dean's sake, for the student's sake. They don't need this kind of distraction from their studies and their lives. They've plenty of other things to worry about - sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, Dark Lords and Death Eaters. Poufy professors shouldn't be a factor.
And despite Minerva's insistence that I do not resign, I still feel uncomfortable about the whole thing, and I'll be making a concerted effort to be more professional and less... obvious, in the interest of keeping Hogwarts respectable for students and parents alike. Professor Dumbledore recieved over two hundred owls when parents found out I was a werewolf, three years ago. We don't need a repeat performance of that. I just want to teach people who want to learn, and that's all.
A final thought: No one should be treated in such a way by his own parents, and the road Dean has ahead of him will be very long and very rough. He can't hide out at Hogwarts forever. At some point, he will have to face his parents and attempt to make them understand that he is still the same boy they raised, and loved, and still love whether they want to admit it or not. There's a chance he'll succeed, and an equal chance that he won't.
Either way, I'm sure we'll all stand behind him one hundred percent. Especially Seamus.
Also, for Dean: you are more than welcome at my home, if necessary. There's plenty of room, you could even have the guest house to yourself. I think you'll be fine, between Seamus and perhaps the Weasleys, but I want you to know that you will always have a place to go, if you need one.
Must away - I have cranes to fold.
It's strange what times such as these will bring out in the people around you.
When word reached me of the owl that Dean recieved from his parents, I wish I could say that I was shocked. Sadly, I wasn't. All too often have there been cases of parents becoming too blinded by their own fear and doubt to be able to see their child for who he really is, and has always been. It sounds completely outrageous that any mother and father could ever be ashamed of their child for who - or what - he is, but there you have it. "Ain't nowt as queer as folk," as my grandmother liked to say.
Then I spoke to Minerva and discovered that Dean had mentioned mine and Sirius's upcoming wedding, and a terrible thing occured to me: I've never seen fit to hide who I am and who I love. It comes from having too many secrets in your life to begin with. This number on my arm proclaims me to be a werewolf to the entire world, and I have learned to wear it proudly. It never even occured to me not to be just as open about other aspects of my life, as well.
(Sirius: "You couldn't hide if it we had an Invisibility Cloak, you great ponce.")
But what if this was having some kind of influence over the students, or what if my presence were making the children or their parents uncomfortable? If having a teacher who is one of the stately homosexuals of merry olde England has become a problem, then the solution seemed simple: resign. For Dean's sake, for the student's sake. They don't need this kind of distraction from their studies and their lives. They've plenty of other things to worry about - sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, Dark Lords and Death Eaters. Poufy professors shouldn't be a factor.
And despite Minerva's insistence that I do not resign, I still feel uncomfortable about the whole thing, and I'll be making a concerted effort to be more professional and less... obvious, in the interest of keeping Hogwarts respectable for students and parents alike. Professor Dumbledore recieved over two hundred owls when parents found out I was a werewolf, three years ago. We don't need a repeat performance of that. I just want to teach people who want to learn, and that's all.
A final thought: No one should be treated in such a way by his own parents, and the road Dean has ahead of him will be very long and very rough. He can't hide out at Hogwarts forever. At some point, he will have to face his parents and attempt to make them understand that he is still the same boy they raised, and loved, and still love whether they want to admit it or not. There's a chance he'll succeed, and an equal chance that he won't.
Either way, I'm sure we'll all stand behind him one hundred percent. Especially Seamus.
Also, for Dean: you are more than welcome at my home, if necessary. There's plenty of room, you could even have the guest house to yourself. I think you'll be fine, between Seamus and perhaps the Weasleys, but I want you to know that you will always have a place to go, if you need one.
Must away - I have cranes to fold.
no subject
And as for influence? I don't know if you know this, but you were the very first gay person I ever knew. And you sort of let me know, without ever saying it, that being gay was all right. It helped me realise that, really, and so I thought I should say "thanks". You made a difference to me.
-Fred
no subject
I'd no idea. I'm so pleased, and proud, and - I don't know what to say, really.
You're welcome, Fred. And thank you.
(That's three of you, then - perhaps four. Bless your parents.)
I think I'm going to pop by your shop later. I've never actually been, and that seems a shame.
- Professor Lupin
PS: She did try. I ducked. Shame about the armchair, though. Who knew Graphorn hide could be so flammable?
no subject
Don't think those scorch marks are ever going to come off the parquet floors, tho...
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Professor McGonagall always did have a knack for expressing her exact feelings about something.
Whatever you do, don't pinch her last Chocolate Frog. I've still got the scars.
- Prof. Lupin
Re:
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Thanks for the warning. This is precisely why my collection lies in a heavily-bewitched lock-box. The woman is insane when it comes to those bloody cards.
And she won't trade me for the extra Rhadagast the Brown she has. Infernal woman.
- Prof. Lupin
Re:
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Like Fred said you have influenced us Professor but not in the way you're afraid of. You make it okay to be ourselves no matter who or what we are. I can't think of a better thing for a teacher to do, honestly.
Please don't change, Professor.
- Cho Chang
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Well, certainly not to me, anyway.
Kind regards,
Hannah
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I prefer to be a bad influence in other ways.
How are you at folding cranes?
- Prof. Lupin
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Small hands are such a blessing for those kinds of things.
Why? Would you like a hand?
~ Hannah
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And by the way, I don't think you're poncy at all.
...
Well, except maybe for the cranes...but that's for a good cause.... :)
no subject
This would be an instance of the student teaching the teacher, I think.
I probably couldn't even change if I tried, Dean, so I don't think there's any cause for concern. And I don't think I'd like myself very much if I weren't exactly who I am, and I like you exactly how you are, so.
Lesson learnt: it's not anything wrong with us, and it's everything wrong with them.
Speaking of cranes, how good are you at folding? I need a little help with something, but two hands isn't enough (and Sirius, frankly, wouldn't know origami if it danced in front of him with a marching band singing "I'm origami."). Drop by my office after your last class and I'll explain everything, if you're interested. Bring Seamus if you like - and any other Gryffindor you can find.
I believe this would be the moment for a maniacal laugh: Muah ha ha ha.
- Prof. Lupin
Re:
Will definately come find you after lessons....and Seamus will be dragged along, if I can manage it...tho he has a thing about paper cuts...