Before reading DH, Lupin was one of my favorite (if not my absolute favorite) character. I felt like he brought other characters together and was a sort of anchor for Harry. But as I read DH, I felt all of my respect for him disintegrate. The way he was acting about Tonks and his own son was so un-Remus like that in literally three pages he went from one of my fave characters to one of my most hated characters.

I realize that JKR tried to "redeem" him a little later (the Shell Cottage scene), but it felt too rushed and his character didn't reflect who he was in earlier books.

For a long time this bothered me, until I decided to read the book through again (my third time), but this time really pay attention. I realized that Lupin's change in character was very necessary for the story. After all, he was a marauder. All the marauders had their shortcomings in some way. James was arrogant as a teenager, and while he may have nobly defended his family, he did fail to save his and his wife's lives. Sirius's impatience was what, in the end, lead to his death (albeit, he died nobly too.) Peter's flaw is obvious. His lack of courage and nobility lead to his downfall, though there was some redemption in the end.

That's where it comes to Lupin. We had been given glimpses of his flaws in earlier books, but it was not until Book 7 that we saw just how deep his own self-loathing ran. It was so strong that he put it before even his own family. It controlled him. As with past marauders, Lupin redeemed himself before his death. Thus, my love of him is restored.

What do you guys think? Agree, disagree?

EDIT: Please watch your spelling.