OoP: Some thoughts and questions

[Grey Wolf]

No: HPFGUIDX 62141

Emily wrote: 
> 1. Why on earth does the MoM have a lift?  After they make fun of 
> the ways Muggles try to live without magic, they borrow a Muggle 
> idea?  (And no, I don't buy that the wizarding world invented lifts.)

Lifts were already present in Roman times. Thus, the WW could simply 
have developed their own, powered by magic, from the design used in 
Roman times (powered by slaves, IIRC). And it is not unthinkable they 
borrowed such muggle ideas, or even developed themselves back in the 
times where WW and muggle world weren't separate.

> 2. Can Voldemort tell that Snape is an Occlumens (sp? and usage? 
> still not sure about that word)?  If not, he's probably the ultimate 
> spy.  But if so, will Snape be in danger?

Voldemort can probably tell that Snape uses Occlumens (from Occlu-, to 
hide, and mens, mind: hide the mind), in the general sort of way of not 
getting any clue of what Snape is thinking, although this could happen 
with anyone that keeps the mind clear. Or he could've tought Snape 
himself, as well as his other DEs, so they wouldn't reveal his plans. 
And no, I don't think that makes him "the ultimate spy". After all, 
muggle spies aren't in any danger of having their thoughts read by 
magic, and that doesn't make them untouchable. It just means that other 
methods are needed to make them talk. It does explain how Snape can 
remain a spy, with neither side being able to simply read who's side he 
is on, and rather having to trust Snape.

> 3. Call me stupid, but why are Death Eaters wasting time dueling 
> with the Order?  Surely they're not frightened of using the Killing 
> curse, so why aren't they using it?  Seems like it would save them 
> lots of time and energy, though admittedly it would take quite a bit 
> out of the plot.  :-)

AK seems to have several problems. For one thing, it takes long enough 
to cast that there is time to be interrupted. It also requires a lot of 
energy, so maybe most DEs aren't up to it (althought I doubt those that 
were present had that problem - they seemed to be elites). So I'll go 
back to the original: using AK in such massive duel might leave you too 
open to counter-attack before you're finished (the one time it was used 
Harry had time to *tackle* the DE from a prone positionl, which means 
getting up and throwing himself against his legs).

> And I loved the fact that as soon as Fudge 
> turned up, he admitted that Voldemort was back.  What???  He didn't 
> try to spin it, hide it, etc.  That's not the Fudge we know and 
> hate.  How incredibly convenient.  I almost felt like... she got 
> lazy at the end. 
>
> Emily

I have to point out that Fudge *DID* try to hide it, but the fact that 
20-something aurors had *seen* Voldemort made any attempt to hide it 
useless from moment zero. He can get away when there is only the word 
of Harry, particularly by being able to use Harry's rumours, but he 
cannot hide the opinions of so many aurors, particularly since we know 
that most of the WW had started to doubt his words after Harry's 
interview. No, when Voldemort is seen in the MoM, it's already too late 
to hide it. If Fudge had been more intelligent, he might have been able 
to think of something, but a) he's not, and we know it and b) such 
explanaition would've been very weak, particularly in a circunstance 
where most peopole had started to doubt him already.

Hope that helps,

Grey Wolf