Tragedy is a common theme in the Harry Potter franchise that has affected many characters over the decades in the Wizarding World. While some have experienced this type of pain more than others, the pain they feel is valid nonetheless. Perhaps one of, if not the most, tragic characters was none other than Remus Lupin. But rather than a particular event defining his character forever, he must relive the same event once a month as he's been touched by the curse of the werewolf.
Lupin spent most of his life with the werewolf curse and had systems in place that would help him deal with the monthly transformation. Nevertheless, he still despised this aspect of his character, and, for the longest time, he tried to alienate himself so he wouldn't hurt anyone. Thankfully, he always had support from his friends and was never as alone as he may have felt. But his darkness may have never been far away as the scars on his face proved that the tragedy of his life was never far behind him.
Werewolf-inflicted Injuries Are Worse in the Wizarding World
Werewolves are unique in the Wizarding World as many of their traits don't completely line up with the traditional beliefs surrounding the creatures. For example, silver doesn't affect the werewolves of this universe. Humans can also only be cursed from a bite by an animal rather than a bite and possibly a scratch. That said, scratches carry a curse of their own that leaves a lasting impression and may put a target on the back of anyone with a bad relationship with those cursed.
When Bill Weasley was injured by the werewolf Death Eater, Fenrir Greyback, he was given a nasty scar on his face after being scratched. Greyback was also the werewolf that bit Lupin as a boy, cursing him for the rest of his life. As Lupin aided in helping Bill with his wounds, he also explained that werewolf scratches were cursed and would always leave a scar. While this revelation is much easier to live with than a bite, it raised even more questions about Lupin's own facial scars.
Lupin's Scars Have a Sad Explanation in Harry Potter
Much of Lupin's younger years, especially during his most definitive, were left largely unexplored. While it was known that his friends learned to be animagus to help him deal with being a werewolf, his thoughts on the curse could only be assumed. But his facial scars may have painted a sad picture as he could've gotten them in a fight with another werewolf, like Greyback, or he inflicted them on himself. Had it been the latter, it would've made sense, as the pain Lupin felt over his curse likely created a sense of self-hatred, leading him to hurt himself.
However, what could be even more tragic would be if Lupin never hurt himself on purpose, but instead, he did it during the transformation. If so, it would be a physical example of how violent transforming into a werewolf could be, coupled with the intense pain that would come from it. In the end, Lupin's scars have no clear explanation and may never be explained. But assuming that they are just a dark chapter in his many years as a werewolf adds to the main theme of tragedy in the Harry Potter franchise.