Why didn't the Longbottoms go into hiding?

[Eustace_Scrubb]

No: HPFGUIDX 110750

mhbobbin wrote:

> I've been trying to figure out how long after the Potters were 
> killed the Longbottoms were attacked. It doesn't seem to be 
> specified anywhere, except it is implied that it is days, weeks, or 
> months later, not within the mysterious 24 hours following.  The
two 
> relevant chapters in GoF are "The Penseive" and "Padfoot Returns". 
> Sirius talks about Barty Crouch Junior being brought into Azkaban-- 
> Sirius is already in prison but how long?. Harry sees the three 
> trials in DD's Penseive as Death Eaters are rounded up. Barty
Junior 
> has been caught with three DEs (The Lestranges) who had already 
> avoided Azkaban (not definitive in timing). Some time would have
had 
> to pass for the DEs to realize LV was truly gone before the 
> Longbottoms would have been tortured to find out what had happened 
> to him. But I can't find anything more specific about the timing--
> anyone remember anything else?
> 
> mhbobbin

Eustace_Scrubb:
I've also wondered about that.  For the most part, I'll refer to my
previous post, Message 109870, which theorizes that the Longbottom
attack took place not long after Godric's Hollow (days not weeks or
months).

But I'll also followup on a comment earlier in this thread:
Ravenclaw Bookworm wrote:
> Something to keep in mind: the One was born to those who had thrice
> defied the Dark Lord. If you are the Supreme Overlord of the
> Universe ;-) and someone defies you three times, wouldn't you be
> keeping track of them?

Eustace_Scrubb again:
Absolutely.  And so it would come as no surprise to the DEs for
Voldemort to tell them he was going to go take care of the Potters and
the Longbottoms _without_ telling them about the Prophecy.  The DEs
wouldn't find it surprising for Voldemort to make an example of these
two couples.  And I would think that Voldemort would have his reasons
for keeping the Prophecy to himself, as there's no point in revealing
your potential weaknesses to your erstwhile supporters anymore than to
your enemies.

Cheers,

Eustace_Scrubb
"'Not useless,' said the Owl. 'EUSTACE!'"