Possible Lestrange Inspiration?

[nicolasixisme]

No: HPFGUIDX 42970

Hello all.

Since JKR takes inspiration from so many quarters, I wonder if there 
isn't a connection between the Lestranges and the central character of 
Gladys Mitchell's novels. The character is a curiously amoral witch 
named Beatrice Adela Lestrange Bradley:

'To her, murder is neither a crime nor a sin, but "a general heading 
for a whole list of actions, most of which ought to be judged merely as 
misdemeanours. The second division ought to be the special preserve of 
murderers"[14]. She recognises that every single human being is a 
potential murderer, "some in deed and some in thought", the only 
difference being that "some have the courage of their convictions" 
while "others have not"[15].'

(From an article about the character, the full text of which can be 
found at 
http://www.geocities.com/hacklehorn/mitchell/bradley.htm).

We know so little about the Lestranges that it's probably a bit of a 
stretch, but I found the coincidence tantalizing enough to mull over it 
as a possible bit of HP scholastic trivia.

-Nicola