Neville and his parents / Lucius theories

[bugaloo37]

No: HPFGUIDX 44371

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., rvotaw at i... wrote:
><snip>  Arthur frequently demonstrates that his family is worth far 
more to him 
> than money.  As in a nice family trip rather than a vault filled 
with gold.
> 
> Richelle

This may be off the thread that is being discussed here-but it does 
contain some ideas concerning the Malfoys.  I know it has been 
discussed many times before-that is the issue of where wizards get 
their money- but I find it fascinating.  Even though there are many 
families represented at Hogwarts-we only are really familiar with 
three- the Weasleys, the Potters, and the Malfoys.  When I say 
familiar, I do not mean we know every detail of their families-but we 
do have a little more knowledge about them then say for instance, the 
Longbottoms.  When we look at these three families what do we see- 
let's take the Weasleys-they are a pure-blood family -which means a 
long line of wizards in their past-but they are most definitely 
poverty-stricken.  They befriend muggle-borns like Hermione and have 
an admiration and/or fascination with muggles in general.  The 
Potters are also a pure-blood family( James' side).  They apparently 
are quite wealthy.  We do not know where that inheritance came from 
(how it was gained).  They apparently have no trouble with muggles or 
muggle-borns-after all, James married one.  Then there are the 
Malfoys-another pure-blood family with inherited wealth.  Are we to 
assume that their means of inheriting this wealth was any 
less "noble" than the Potters?  They despise muggles and muggle-
borns.  They sided with Voldemort-til the kitchen got too hot.  They 
seem to go with whatever side is going to profit them the most.  What 
lesson are we supposed to be learning through these three families?  
Are the Weasleys poor because they defend muggles?  If so, why are 
the Potters wealthy?  Are the Malfoys wealthy through devious means?  
And the Potters wealth gained through more noble pursuits?  I know in 
the case of the Malfoys and the Potters, that their wealth was 
inherited-but that money had to be earned some way-so how was it 
done?  If anyone has any theories concerning any of the above 
questions-please fill me in.

bugaloo37-who knows that this line has probably been pursued before-
she just wasn't paying attention.