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REMUS LUPIN Updated September 5, 2005

RITA SKEETER - THAT SKEETER WOMAN

RON WEASLEY Updated September 5, 2005

(MADAME) ROSMERTA Updated September 5, 2005

ROWENA RAVENCLAW Updated September 5, 2005

RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR – MINISTER OF MAGIC  Updated September 5, 2005

REGULUS BLACK

Regulus Black, Sirius’ younger brother, joined Voldemort’s ranks not realizing until it was too late that the Dark Lord’s new order required a lifelong commitment… and learned to late that his long life would be cut short much sooner than expected.  Sadly, that was the case with young Regulus, having decided a life of cursing wizards and muggles alike with death and destruction was not his career choice after all.  But Voldemort doesn’t easily accept a change of heart or a resignation from one of his followers… and the only way to leave is to die, and that is what Regulus did.  However, he didn’t leave this world without giving Voldemort a parting gift… or maybe I should say without taking a (soul) parting gift from the Dark Lord.  I believe that the “R.A.B.” initials on the note that Harry found in the fake Horcrux locket (HBP) are Regulus’ initials and that he hid the real locket himself, out of Voldemort’s reach. 

I wonder what the “A” stands for? Albus?  Aberforth? Algernon? Aristotle? As with other people christened by Jo, I’m sure the name has some mythological or historical significance that relates to young Black’s character. 

And what happened to the silver locket once owned by Salazar Slytherin that Tom Riddle turned into a Horcrux to hold a part of his soul?  In OotP, there is a display cabinet filled with the Black family treasures… and I do believe the locket rested seemingly innocently on a shelf.  But where is it now?  I’m not sure if it is still at Number 12 Grimmauld Place.  If not, where is it and who took it?  Here are some possibilities about who might have nicked it.  Mundungus Fletcher or Kreacher.  If Mundungus took it, along with the silver mugs he took (HBP) then heaven only knows who he sold it too… but he did meet with Aberforth Dumbledore in Hogsmeade so there is another source for information.  But what if Kreacher, in an effort to keep his late mistress’s cherished belongings from being thrown out by Sirius, nabbed the locket and stowed it either in the attic or in his hovel in the kitchen?  I think it’s worth checking out.  Hear that, Harry?

I wonder if Regulus destroyed that part of Voldemort’s soul inside the locket?  He would have had to have been a very powerful wizard to accomplish such a feat; and maybe he was that good.  But what if the locket Horcrux is still in tact?  If it is then Harry has his work cut out for him, and he best be careful considering what happen to Dumbledore’s right hand and arm when he destroyed the ring Horcrux (HBP.)

And as a final note about why Voldemort really killed Regulus… well, even though we may think that he never new that RAB took the real locket from its cave hiding place, Voldemort may have known after all… or suspected it.  After all, he probably used Occlumency to look inside Regulus’ head.  I think Voldemort would have felt justified killing if he discovered that one of his Death Eaters was planning to steal his soul (or 1/7^th of it, anyway).

But did Regulus leave any clues regarding the locket?  I wouldn’t be surprised if he had.  Now that Harry has inherited the Black estate, I hope he’ll unlock the locket’s riddle.

REMUS LUPIN

Remus Lupin is a great character... a renaissance man, in my opinion.  He's also an incredible mentor for Harry.  When he is not a werewolf he is a mild-mannered, kind and thoughtful human being.  He's not a wolf in sheep's clothing, rather he is a lamb shrouded under the shadow of the full moon.  I can only hope he will be able to cast off the inner beast and enjoy a normal wizard's life before the final chapter ends.  We are told in the HP books and in Newt Scamander's Magical Beasts book that there is not cure for being a werewolf.  I think somebody ought to try Gilderoy Lockhart's Homophus Charm on Lupin... or maybe first try it out on the guy who shared the room in St. Mungos with Mr. Weasley; we don't want any more adverse charms affecting our dear Lupin.  And considering Lockhart's history I wouldn't put too much stock into this charm.  But it's worth a try, don't you think?

In the film version of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" I found his whole look very intriguing.  He could have been a double for Mr. Chips or was his 1930-40's persona the writer's or director's tribute to the old Lon Chaney Jr. werewolf movies of that era?  Everything about Lupin was dated -- his clothes, his shoes, his trunks, and even his phonograph.  Or were they showing us a secret hint into Remus's past?  He's a man out of time.  I mean that virtually and literally, i.e., from another time, running on borrowed time or one whose existence is based on the passing of time.

Lupin went underground as a spy for Dumbledore in HBP in an effort to gather information and to convert as many werewolves as possible to the Order’s side.  That’s not an easy task with Fenrir Greyback, the truly rapid-like werewolf indiscriminately attacking man, beast, and cruelly, as many children as he can.  If you recall, he is the werewolf who attacked Lupin as child, turning him into a werewolf.  I don’t really see a revengeful bone in Remus Lupin’s body, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a real mad dog fight brewing in book 7?  I’m more worried about Lupin getting bitten again than I am about the silver-handed Pettigrew.  And then again, make twice bitten is once cured?

What will the fate of Lupin be?  If Sirius Black has inescapably fallen beyond Harry's reach (OotP) then I hope Lupin will remain on this side of the veil for Harry's sake.  He's the only one left who represents the positive and loving friendship between James, Lily, and Sirius.  He now must be all three, in essence, to Harry.  There is the fear of the prosthetic silver hand and if it is really lethal to werewolves, yet I am throwing my trust on Ms. Rowling's love for Remus Lupin to keep him alive, and even allow him to be cured, get married, and live happily ever after. Am I wishing for too much?  If Tonks has anything to do with Lupin’s future, he will be reaching for the moon… and jumping over it with joy.

RITA SKEETER - THAT SKEETER WOMAN

I don't know about you but she really bugs me (pardon the pun, I couldn't help myself.)  Anyway, Rita is an unregistered animagus (thank you Hermione).  Maybe we should really say she is a bugimagus since she can transfigure herself into a beetle. 

Oh, and her profession is a freelance journalist, or perhaps a better definition is a pooper scooper since she will go out of her way to dig up or even create sensational dirty scoops for the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly.  In GoF she slandered Harry with her quick quotes quill over and over.  In fact, I think her quick quotes quill could give Umbridge's blood-drawing quill a run for the money in regards to which scratches deeper cutting remarks.

Yet Rita's greatest story to date was from Harry himself in OotP when she interviewed Him, with Hermione's approval, and wrote the untainted truth for once and probably the only time in her life.  However, she didn't get paid for her work.  It was printed in The Quibbler where it was an astronomical success.  Luna Lovegood's dad then sold the story to the Daily Prophet for a hefty sum thereby allowing him and his daughter to fund their summer safari.  Rita, how does that make you feel?  Jealous?  Angry?  Used?  Cheated?

I can imagine her quick quotes quill smoking up the page with unprintable expletives.  I very much doubt a year of reflection will entice her to change her ways.  She may but I see her as such a great literary nemesis.  Then again, her wily ways could be an asset to the Order of the Phoenix.  What a great spy she is and could be.   On the other hand, she also reminds me a Bertha Jorkins. Granted, she's more shrewd but just as nosy and undoubted hiding even more secrets. 

Oh boy, this could be an Extra! Extra!  Read all about it! in the Daily Prophet very soon.

RON WEASLEY

Ron is a super strategist.  Don't believe me?  Play a game of wizard's chess and see who wins  I'm sure that Ron's clever gaming skills will prove highly valuable in the next to HP books...Checkmate!

Ron is now on the Gryffindor Quidditch team (as of OotP).  Good going, Ron!  Remember when he looked at himself in the Mirror of Erised?  He saw himself as captain of the team and as Head Boy.  Well maybe the mirror shows us our deepest desires, "no more, no less" but I think Ron desires could be on their way to becoming realities.  Dumbledore appointed Ron Prefect in GoF much to everyone’s surprise, and Fred and George's disgust.  Unless I am mistaken (it's always possible) the logical next step is for Ron to be Head Boy. Although one doesn't apparently have to be a Prefect to be Head Boy. Harry's turn may be coming.

And what about the Gryffindor's Quiddith Team? Since Ron is now the pride and joy of his fellow Gryffindors for helping them win the Quidditch Cup in OotP, and now that Angelina Johnson has left Hogwarts, we could be introduced to Captain Ron (Strategist Extraordinaire) in HBP.  But then, not everything revealed in the Mirror of Erised is truth.  Harry is the better choice because he has been on them team longer, is a true leader, and since Dumbledore didn't make him Prefect it would be logical he would have this honor bestowed upon him. Sorry Ron… it’s Captain Harry (HBP).

Ron the Great Lover?  Well, maybe not, but he certainly does his best to give us that image in HBP, and I think a certain lady with the initials “L.B.” would agree he is doing a pretty imitation.  However, Casanova Weasley may have lips for Lavendar but his heart belongs to H.G. (and she’s got her hands full if I might add.)

If Ron learns to transfigure he may be able to turn into a real weasel.  Weasels are highly resistant, if not impervious, to snake venom.

Ron's biggest fear is of spiders.  The web grows stickier as the spiders come out to play.

(MADAME) ROSMERTA

ROWENA RAVENCLAW

RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR – MINISTER OF MAGIC