Dementors Helping the DEs and the Two Franks (WAS: Dementors' Kiss)

[erisedstraeh2002]

No: HPFGUIDX 47300

Marcia ("mmgardin") wrote:

> In modification then, of Neville's poor memory due to memory
> charms, I think the memory that was blocked was of his parents 
> receiving the Dementors' Kiss.

Now me:

An interesting theory, but I tend to take Dumbledore's statement that 
the Longbottoms were tortured into insanity at face value.  I can't 
think of a reason why Dumbledore would tell Harry they were tortured 
when they were actually Kissed, since Harry knows all about the Kiss 
by this point.  I also think being tortured into insanity is at least 
as horrible as receiving the Kiss - if not more so, since the Kiss 
happens quickly while I would imagine the torturing took awhile.

Marcia again:

> Speculating, I'm guessing that the Death Eaters use the Dementors 
> as a way to quiet their victims. 

Me again:

While it's plausible, I don't think so, primarily because the 
Dementors currently guard a prison in which many DEs are 
incarcerated.  While the Ministry of Magic has its faults, I don't 
think they would put creatures that were previously affiliated with 
the DEs in charge of guarding the DEs.

That's not to say that the Dementors won't help the DEs in the 
future - Voldemort has already alluded to recruiting them in his 
speech to the DEs in the graveyard scene in GoF.

Marcia again:

> One last thought that has also bothered me from the beginning –
> JKR loves to give her characters interesting and telling names.  
> Why then, has she used the name Frank twice (Frank Longbottom and 
> Frank Bryce)?  I've racked my brain trying to elucidate a 
> connection between those 2 characters and come up with nothing.  

Me again:

Well, with the multitude of characters she's created, it probably 
shouldn't be too surprising that she'll have to use a name more than 
once.  And she would be in good company - Jane Austen named two 
characters "Charles" in "Persuasion" (and Austen is one of JKR's 
favorite authors).

But I think I can make a connection between the two Franks.  To 
be "frank" is to be honest and sincere.  I think both of JKR's Franks 
exhibit these characteristics, which makes it all the more appalling 
that Frank Bryce was so carelessly murdered and Frank Longbottom was 
so horribly tortured.

~Phyllis