Why didn't Karkaroff out Lucius Malfoy?

[gingerssnap1966 <gingerssnap1966@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 53154

Tom Wall wrote:
> > I find it hard to believe that Karkaroff wouldn't know that 
Lucius 
> > was a Death Eater. I mean, sure, it's possible, but given that 
> they 
> > know each other, I still find it hard to believe.
> > 
> > So, why wouldn't Karkaroff out Malfoy to save his own neck?
> > 
Marina replied: 
> I can think of two possible explanations for this:
> 
> 1. Lucius had already pleaded Imperius by then, and Karkaroff new 
> about it.  In that case, there would've been no point in outing 
> Lucius.  Even if Karkaroff had said, "No, it's a lie, he wasn't 
> under Imperius," it would've been Lucius' word against his, and 
> Lucius has a lot of pull.
> 
> 2. Karkaroff was counting on Lucius to help him out once he got out 
> of Azkaban.  After all, Karkaroff would've been in a difficult 
> position once he got released: a known DE *and* a known informant.  
> He may have been planning to hit Lucius up for money and protection 
> and help in leaving the country.  Maybe a spot of blackmail, 
> even: "I didn't give them your name, but I still could if you don't 
> help me."
> 
Me:  I'd like to add a third.
When the question was first posed, the first thought that entered my 
mind was the reply a friend of mine gave the police when asked to 
turn informer:  "You can't protect me enough." (side note: this 
friend has now amended his ways)

Lucius has money, power, and influence.  It is possible that Mr 
Crabbe and Mr Goyle are in positions similar to that of their sons-
they seem to exist to do his bidding.  

Assuming that Karkaroff *did* know about Malfoy, he may have thought 
that the other names held less potential danger.  He may have been 
waiting to see if they worked, using Malfoy as an ace in the hole, 
which he didn't need.

Ginger, who has learned that the expression "bounced like a ferret" 
should only be used in HP company.