How did the Lestranges get caught? (WAS: Neville Has A Memory Charm? Not! )

[lucky_kari]

No: HPFGUIDX 31862

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "blpurdom" <blpurdom at y...> wrote:

> While Lucius needs to convince the authorities he is not a loyal DE 
> (my guess is he claimed he was under Imperius) he wouldn't 
> necessarily want to squash Barty Crouch's climb to power; if the son 
> of the Minister of Magic is a Death Eater, that son would be in a 
> position to influence (or place under Imperius, as he later did) the 
> most senior wizard in Great Britain.  Lucius seems too crafty to 
> sabotage an excellent opportunity like this.

Would this really be an excellent opportunity for Lucius? He wants to 
thrust the death-eater stuff into the past, and Barty Crouch Jr. and 
the Lestranges are bringing it up again. They would be more a thorn in 
his side than an excellent opportunity. Meanwhile, the more Death 
Eater activity going on, the more Crouch goes on the rampage. How long 
is the "Voldemort made me do it" excuse going to protect him if the 
terror continues? Also, if Malfoy tipped off the MoM, it could finally 
give a good reason for Snape's apparent friendly attitude towards 
Malfoy (if it's not a ruse). And lastly, wouldn't it just be too much 
if Malfoy saved Neville's life by that action?

Eileen