Fudge and the Longbottoms

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 40446

Darrin theorized:

> If I have the timeline right, the Longbottoms were maimed sometime in 
> the couple of years after Harry defeated Voldemort. I remember from 
> GoF that Dumbledore says their attack was a shock because everyone 
> was so giddy about Voldemort being gone.


I have always had the impression that the attack on the Longbottoms
occurred much sooner after Voldemort's downfall than that.  A few
months, maybe.  After all, Crouch Jr is described, if I'm not
mistaken, as about 18 when he appears in the Pensieve.  It seems to me
that a successful Death Eater could not have been under too much
supervision to avoid detection.  If Crouch was still in Hogwarts at
the time, this would be extremely difficult.  Nor do I think Voldemort
would be foolish allow a child into his inner circle.  So I've always
concluded that Crouch had graduated from Hogwarts already.  Which
would make him no less that 17 at the time of Voldemort's fall.  Also,
wizards were celebrating Voldemort's defeat the very day it occurred;
it does not seem that it would take very long for them to relax their
guard.  Hence, one year maximum to the Longbottom torture incident
(which clears baby Neville from any involvement).

- Corinth