Still-Life With Memory Charm

[cmf_usc]

No: HPFGUIDX 36825

Elkins wrote on memory charms:

<<Well, from an authorial point of view, there would seem to me to be 
little point in setting up such a plotline in the first place if one 
did not plan on eventually *restoring* the suppressed memory. 
Furthermore, it would seem to me to be a terrible waste of a plot 
engine if such a recovered memory did not then reveal something of 
vital importance to the plot.

So what could that thing be?

The revelation that one or more of the Pensieve defendents had in 
fact been innocent -- along with a corresponding revelation about the 
identity of the real culprit(s) -- is one possibility. (Fourth Man 
With Innocence, anyone? <g>) Information about corruption within the 
Ministry also seems possible.

But neither of these really satisfy me somehow. So does anyone else 
have some other possibility they would like to suggest?>>

 
And Porphyria wrote:

<<So Neville's problem is either an echo or a counter-example to 
Harry's. 
I'm not sure yet, but there do seem to be some parallels. Neville's 
memories would be traumatic, if he could access them. There's the 
chance 
that if he can then we'll discover some unspeakable scandal, far 
worse 
than corruption in the MOM which we already know about.>>

Now me:

I'm going to try and give an answer to Elkins' question by commenting 
on the Neville/Harry parallel Porphyria outlined.

First, I believe there was a lot more going on Halloween, 1981, than 
we know about now.  All we have to go on really are Harry's 
incomplete memories and the rantings of an Evil Overlord
  I figure 
we are being led to assumptions that will one day be blown wide open, 
in a quite Bangy way. 

If you buy any of that, can I interest you in a parallel with the 
Longbottom torture?  

________________________________________________________________
The Canon (GOF, p. 595):

(Crouch Sr speaking) "We have heard the evidence against you.  The 
four of you stand accused of capturing an Auror—Frank Longbottom—and 
subjecting him to the Cruciatus Curse, believing him to have 
knowledge of the present whereabouts of your exiled master, He-Who-
Must-Not-Be_Named_"

"Father, I didn't!" shrieked the boy in chains below

________________________________________________________________
What if more was going on there than meets the eye as well?  
Something *shockingly* different from what is presented as evidence 
at the trial/sentencing/whatever-you-call-it.

How about—Frank L. is really a bad guy.  Evil as they come.  Knows 
*exactly* where Voldemort is floating around.  But his sweet innocent 
wife has no idea about all this, until she overhears Frank & the gang 
of 4 plotting.  She goes all hysterical and someone slaps an insanity 
curse on her.  Someone (Dead Sexy Mrs. Lestrange, anyone?) decides 
that Frank is now a liability and can't be trusted.  He gets an 
insanity curse, Neville gets a memory charm, the gang gets the heck 
out of there.  (This can come with an added bonus of an innocent-of-
torture-Crouch Jr if you'd like!)

Too out-there for you?  Ok, maybe so.  But I *do* really think there 
is a Neville/Harry backstory parallel going on, as Porphyria said.  
And I think both will be quite Bangy --with Harry's the Bangiest of 
course!

Caroline
(Hey, it's not any more out-there than Toadkeeper, is it?)