[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape as a Spy and Spy!Lucius, too!

[Derek Hiemforth]

No: HPFGUIDX 86475

At 09:00 AM 12/3/2003, Jen Reese wrote:
>My theory is that Lucius turned spy after the COS incident. Yes, he 
>planted the diary, he was all for scaring the 'Mudbloods', perhaps 
>bringing some family shame on the Weasleys by using Ginny, and 
>closing down Hogwarts, but my guess is he had *no clue* that LV 
>could actually return to life through that diary.

Derek:
I have a hunch that Lucius has been looking out for himself all
along.  Like Wormtail, I think Malfoy will aid LV or betray him
at the drop of a hat, all depending on which way the wind is
blowing at the moment.  He may also have discovered, in the years
since VW1, that LV is a halfblood, and this may affect the bigotted
Lucius's allegience.

However he got the diary itself (perhaps he simply found it at
Hogwarts years ago when he was a student there), I think he did
know (or at least suspect) that there was a possibility LV could
be brought back somehow through the diary.

 From Lucius's perspective, it must have seemed like a no-lose
scenario...

1.  If Ginny fails to do anything nefarious with the book, no harm
done.  He can get it back later.

2.  If Ginny succeeds in accessing TR's memory, and causes havoc
because of his manipulation, but it never goes far enough for TR
to be brought back, that's okay too.  The mudbloods at the school
will have been terrorized.  While that may not be all he hoped for,
harassing the mudbloods is always worthwhile.

3.  If TR succeeds (or nearly succeeds) in coming back, but is
thwarted by Potter or Dumbledore, then that's just as well.
One more avenue of LV's possible return to power has been
thwarted, and Malfoy is that much closer to being able to become
the Evil Overlord himself instead of taking orders from the
half-blooded LV.  And should LV still manage to later return,
Lucius can claim fidelity.  "I tried to bring you back through
the diary, my Lord!  Too bad the accursed Potter interfered!"

4.  If TR fully succeeds in coming back because of the diary,
Lucius is now the fair-haired boy (so to speak)!  The most-
favored DE who managed to bring back LV where all the others
failed or didn't bother to try.  Lucius wouldn't be free to
pursue his own agenda now, but at least he'd be the chief
underling and possible successor (assuming he would later betray
LV).

And of course, in any of 2, 3, or 4, there's always the likelihood
that Ginny Weasley would be harmed and/or disgraced, striking a
blow at the hated Arthur.

Jen Reese:
>He knows Harry is the One, and much as he and Snape despise "Potter",
>they want him to do their dirty business and remove LV for good.
[snip]
>No, Lucius isn't going to take orders from anyone this time around, 
>especially a 'half-blood'.

Yep, I think that's right on the money.  I don't think Lucius is 
actually working with the Order in any way, though.  I think he's
just trying, now that LV is back, to get rid of LV to clear the way
for himself, but do it in such a way that he doesn't appear to be
betraying him.

- Derek