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I don't have much love for epithets at the best of times, really, but I'm developing a particular loathing for "the werewolf." Yes, sure, I'll actually buy it in several circumstances. A Snape who feels decidedly unfond of Lupin, for instance, is quite likely to think of him as "the werewolf," denying him his humanity. Ditto any witch or wizard that probably subscribes to the wizarding world's prejudices about werewolves and would do the same. "The werewolf" is quite a useful little phrase in that way - a characterization tool.
And that's why seeing it used unthinkingly in stories from the POV of, say, Sirius Black or Harry Potter drives me absolutely batshit crazy. I'm pretty sure they think of him as a human being. If you think I'm wrong, write a story where they don't, make a point, break my heart, have them incapable of seeing past the full moon, if you really think that's believable. But if all you want is an epithet, then for the love of Lupercus just call him the shorter/taller/younger/older man and be done with it. Or, you know, try using his actual name.
And that's why seeing it used unthinkingly in stories from the POV of, say, Sirius Black or Harry Potter drives me absolutely batshit crazy. I'm pretty sure they think of him as a human being. If you think I'm wrong, write a story where they don't, make a point, break my heart, have them incapable of seeing past the full moon, if you really think that's believable. But if all you want is an epithet, then for the love of Lupercus just call him the shorter/taller/younger/older man and be done with it. Or, you know, try using his actual name.