Chapter 37 Summary: Fred & George's Back Attack

[Indigo]

No: HPFGUIDX 16159

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., foxmoth at q... wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Indigo" <indigo at i...> wrote:
> 
> > Besides which, it is probably a good idea to remember, they're 
all 
> > _kids_.  Fred and George at this time are maybe 16 or 17 at 
best.  
> 
> They turned seventeen in April (GoF ch. 12) which makes them "of 
age" 
> by wizarding law. Do we really think the Malfoys, not to mention 
the 
> Crabbe and Goyle families, are going to miss a chance to nail the 
> Weasleys? Or have Harry declared 'deranged and dangerous' and 
locked up 
> in St. Mungo's?
> 
> Pippin

I thought 18 was of age.  Hmm.

But Fred and George also attacked from behind, so it's not like 
Malfoy and his henchmen *saw* them coming, either. It could've been 
anyone who thought well of Harry (or Cedric, for that matter, since 
Harry went to the trouble of bringing Cedric's body home) who nailed 
Malfoy.

>From previous appearances, it looks like the Malfoys are perfectly 
content to try to get Arthur Weasley sacked, and to make fun of them 
for being poor.  

As for the having Harry declared deranged, Rita Skeeter tried it, and 
Dumbledore wouldn't put up with it.  I seriously doubt he'd put up 
with Lucius Malfoy trying the same tactic. 

Plus, Harry's a hero. I'm willing to bet St. Mungo's staff would look 
Harry up and down thoroughly before they accepted him without 
question...to say nothing of checking with Madame Pomfrey!

Besides, Lucius has already bullied and threatened the governors of 
Hogwarts into doing his bidding once -- and had it backfire on him.  
He'd have to be either desperate or stupid to try the same tactic.  

Plus, I think he has other things on his mind at this point.