I voted for Mad-Eye. He's the most experienced Auror.
I know that a lot of people have expressed opinions over Lupin being made the leader of the Order, but with him being a werewolf and essentially out of commission for a few days and nights each month, I doubt he would have the energy. Plus, as great a teacher and mentor as he was, I don't see him being a real strong leader.
Harry is far too young to be the leader. Arthur, bless his heart, just doesn't have what it takes (IMHO). Tonks, don't even get me started. And Minerva would have been my second pick, but as far as she is concerned, I think that having to deal with inheriting the Headmistress position will leave her hands a bit full. True, Dumbledore was both at the same time, but Dumbledore hadn't just inherited a school that has yet made a decision to remain open and he didn't have to deal with someone on the staff just having murdered a fellow staff member, like McGonogall will.
A conservative man is a man who sits and thinks... mostly sits.
Moody is way too paranoid to be a successful leader.
I still stand by Lupin. He has a level-headedness that no one else does. Also he is the only one left in the Order who uses Voldemort's name. It may not seem the biggest factor but I think it just shows that he is now the bravest of the members of the Order. Plus he is probably the most powerful wizard in the Order now along with Moody and McGonagall. He is also closest to Harry than the rest of them. After Sirius' death Harry expected Lupin to be his regular correspondent instead. After Sirius and Dumbledore Lupin is Harry's father-figure.
M.
"Every positive integer is one of Ramanujan's personal friends."—J. E. Littlewood.
I get where you're coming from, but I don't see how close he is to Harry to have anything to do with him being leader or not. For that argument to hold any real water, ir may as well argued for Ron or Hermione to be leader of the Order.
I think the fact that Harry respects him, more than is close to him, is a better argument. Harry's close to McGonogall and Arthur as well.
I think that the new leader, if there is even going to be a new leader, is going to need to be someone who has been fighting the fight, actively, against Voldemort for a while. Lupin I don't think has. been At least we haven't seen that he has.
And the fact that he uses Voldemort's real name is a sign of bravery, I will agree with you on that, but that doesn't mean that the other members are cowards or aren't as brave because they don't. Not using Voldemort's name is a habit and part of the way the some of them were raised, not necessarily a sign of cowardice. Old habits die hard.
A conservative man is a man who sits and thinks... mostly sits.
bluejeanbaby said this in post #5 : I get where you're coming from, but I don't see how close he is to Harry to have anything to do with him being leader or not. For that argument to hold any real water, ir may as well argued for Ron or Hermione to be leader of the Order.
I think being close to Harry is of supreme importance because in the end it all comes down to Harry vs. Voldemort. Harry will need the assistance of the Order and he will also need someone of the Order to confide into. Lupin seems the best choice to be a leader.
Harry is hardly close to McGonagall. He is a bit close to Weasley too, but not as much as Lupin. Lupin was his other father figure apart from Sirius and Dumbledore.
M.
"Every positive integer is one of Ramanujan's personal friends."—J. E. Littlewood.
I agree that being close to the leader of the OotP is important, I didn't say that it wasn't, but I don't think that it's the key element of a new leader for the Order.
Like you said, it all comes down to Harry v. Voldemort, so who the new leader is really doesn't matter. Harry needs a leader that he respects, more than a leader that he likes. He needs a leader that can offer him information on Voldemort that not many other people can. Who better to do that than an ex-Auror who helped bring all of the Death Eaters in when Harry last defeated Voldemort?
Plus a leader, IMO, needs to be available at all times. Lupin's werewolf-ness won't allow that, wolfsbane potion or not. He still changes and is therefor unavailable at all times.
A conservative man is a man who sits and thinks... mostly sits.
Yes, being a werewolf is certainly an inconvenience but Lupin has plenty of experience too. He was in the Order the first time as well. Moody is just too paranoid to be a leader I think. He is knowledgable and powerful but too paranoid. We all saw that in book 5.
M.
"Every positive integer is one of Ramanujan's personal friends."—J. E. Littlewood.
Well, I flipped a coin and voted for Mad Eye Moody. Harry has already lost Dumbledore and Sirius. He would not want Lupin, who he cares about, to be in more danger than he already is. Plus, Mad Eye knows how to kick some death eater butt. He is still powerful, and he would know better than anyone how to track the bad guys.
I voted Lupin too. Dumbledore is inreplacable, with his strength, faith, optimism, tranquility and magical abilities but also pedagogic and leader abilities. Then, Lupin is the closest available thing to that. He is close to Harry, which IS important, because I suppose the leader, who ever it is will have to fulfill all of Dumbledore's old roles including tutoring and supporting Harry. But Lupin's also able to do the job despite his "monthly problems". So he's a werewolf. So what. Dumbledore was old. We all have our little imperfections...
I voted Lupin, because he's powerful and nice and basically rocks . But now I'm wondering about Mad Eye. Remember in OOtP, when they came to get Harry from the Dursley's Moody was kind of in charge. Maybe that's just his way, but he definately acted like a leader.
"It's just something Gandalf said, "Don't you lose him Samwise Gamgee", and I don't mean to."
He did seem in charge. Moody may have pulled it together after being in the trunk for a year. I just keep remembering that Dumbledore said that the real Moody would never remove Harry from his sight. Moody was loyal to Dumbledore. I think Lupin is too modest to want to take that job.
I voted for Mad-Eye. I actually don't really think it will be him, but in the list, he seemed the most likely. Actually, I can't really think out anyone else who could fill the role. I think Sherry's right about Lupin being modest, plus he's awfully young to be leading such a respectable group of wizards.
"I'm for it so we can put Nuclear power plants up there, and then beam the power back to earth on a laser beam." ~ Whidden