(un)masking the DEs

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 120713


> Magda wrote:
> I agree that Voldemort would have to take care that losing one DE 
to the authorities didn't unravel the entire group. "Need to know" 
is a good policy. Also, from his megamaniacal POV, it means no one 
knows more than he does, which is not a bad thing when you're trying 
to keep control.
> 
> Voldemort's relationship with Lucius is different from the others'.
> For one thing, he needs Lucius and his wealth a lot more than he
> needs some of the others, which gives Lucius some small advantage 
in
> dealing with the Boss. However it's also an additional danger
> because Voldemort doesn't like having to need someone else.

> Snow wrote:
<snip>
> Lucius also knew, and was in possession, of the diary that Riddle 
> left behind and more importantly its contents. This still remains 
a  mystery to me as to why Lucius was attempting to revive the young 
Tom  Riddle via the diary (who had been known to his closest friends 
as  Voldemort by then) when only two years later he ran from the 
Dark  Mark at the Quidditch World Cup. It just doesn't add up. Does 
Lucius  want his Master back or not? 


Hannah:  Oh, I love discussing this!  I still don't believe that 
Lucius intended to bring back LV using the diary.  The idea that his 
intention was to manipulate the young Riddle is a plausible one, but 
the thing that bothers me is the timing.  Why do it then?  I think 
Lucius was happy enough to be rid of LV - I don't think he would 
enjoy all the subservience.  

To me, the diary was a way of unseating DD, discrediting Arthur 
Weasley (and his new Muggle-protection legislation), and possibly 
killing off Harry Potter.  I don't think Lucius knew the full extent 
of its powers or realised that it could bring back a living young!
Voldemort.  

As to Lucy's (very good) original question (welcome, by the way), 
I'd never considered why LV named those DE's.  I think the dynamics 
between Lucius and LV are interesting.  I see Lucius as being LV's 
right hand man, more important than any of the others.  For 
instance, he took command in the DoM, and it would make sense with 
the way Harry and Draco have been set up.  

I don't think naming Lucius to the other DE's would necessarily pose 
a threat to Malfoy.  He's already been accused of being a DE, tried 
and cleared.  Also, the other DE's knowing Lucius' name won't give 
LV any more power over him - threatening to tell them may have been 
more effective than that.  It will be interesting to see how Lucius 
gets out of Azkaban - will he escape by conventional means, or will 
he talk/ buy his way out of it?

Hannah, wishing all at HPFGU a belated very happy Christmas and New 
Year, and sympathy to all those affected by the Asian eathquake.