TBAY: Ahoy! Fourth Man! (was Re: TBAY: Fourth Man Takes A Dive)

[gingersnape1966 <gingersnape1966@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50243

An unnoticed lurker in TBAY nervously steps up to Captain Cindy and 
requests persission to speak.  She interprets Captain Cindy's 
response for a "yes".

"Allow me to introduse myself" she says, pulling a rubber duckie from 
her bag.  "I am Ginger, new to these shores, but wanting to float my 
tiny theory."  She gestures towards the Duckie.  "I call him TNT, for 
Third Nott Theory.  He has been a pet of mine for some time, and in 
my lurking moments, I have found your Fourth Man hovercraft to be 
floating in similar waters.  Indeed, I almost abandoned him and 
requested permission to climb aboard.

"We all agree that the Lestranges are 2 of the people in the 
Longbottom trial, and that it is odd that the fourth man is not 
mentioned as being present, in Azkaban, or is otherwise eulogized as 
being 'dead in the service'.

"I turned my attention to some mentioned by name, and Nott stood out 
as being familiar, due to my wondering about the significance of a 
Nott in Harry's grade.  I realized that the Nott in the graveyard was 
described as 'stooped' and that this usually implied elderly, so 
would not likely have been a father.  

"And then it hit me:  What if the significance of the Nott in Harry's 
grade was not the significant part?  What if it was significant that 
this Nott was in Neville's grade?  Neville was sorted shortly before 
Nott, and being greeted by his new house, would not have paid any 
attention until Parvati was sorted, joining him at the Griffindor 
table.  We have oft wondered why Gryffs and Ravens have no classes 
together.  We have also wondered why Nott has been silent.  

"Now back to the stooped Nott in the graveyard.  When his master 
passed him, he said 'My Lord, I prostrate myself before you...' which 
made me think he talks like a lawyer.  

"And so TNT was formed.  One of the four in the Longbottom trial is 
describes as 'a thickset man who stared blankly up at Crouch'.  
Suppose this fourth man was the son of the one in the graveyard.  His 
father may have told him to stare blankly, realizing that the trial 
of the four together was a loss, and hoping to free him later with 
his flowery words, either begging Imperious, or shock at being 
accused of such a crime.  Crouch Sr. was moved aside into his current 
department, and the father approached Crouch's successor and won his 
case.  This man would have sat in Azkaban waiting for his release, 
been of a weak constitution, and died an unremarkable death, thus 
being neither eulogized as 'dead in the service', mentioned with the 
Lestranges, or expected to show up.  

"The Dark Lord, a Slytherin himself, would have appreciated the 
ability to lie through one's teeth, but would have 'expected better 
in the future'. 

"I am still speculating on the youngest Nott.  Innocent bystander 
keeping a low profile? (Silent Nott, Holy Nott)  Perhaps a girl with 
whom Neville may come into contact in a pre-OWL study course?  
Interesting possibilities abound, but I shan't bore you with them 
when you have active imaginations of your own.

"No, I have wanted to float my duckie since my arrival, but I wanted 
to know if it is seaworthy, and I ask you, if you please, to point 
out any holes in its rubber."

Any input would be greatly appreciated, and I will be keeping my eye 
on Dolohov.

Thank you for listening to my rambling.  I am so glad to get this off 
my chest.
Bon Voyage, Ginger