Can Lucius Talk His Way Out of This One?

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 108121

Lissa, discussing the evidence against Lucius Malfoy:"How many of
those people's testimony will be accepted though?

"In PoA, Dumbledore says that Sirius will not be cleared because of
the word of three thirteen year old wizards and a werewolf. The Trio's
aged a bit, but they're still kids. I think that eliminates ALL the
kids (especially since the fact that all of them but Luna have Issues
with the Malfoys is very well known, just by their behavior with Draco
at school). Lupin's still a werewolf, so his testimony's pretty much
out. Fudge and his cohorts aren't listening to Dumbledore- and if
anyone believes he's after power, they won't listen either. Mad-Eye
Moody WAS respected, but people don't quite believe him these days...
Tonks and Shacklebolt, on the other hand... I can't come up with a
good argument there."

As DuffyPoo said, things are different now.

The balance of power in the wizard world changed dramatically that
night. Harry and Dumbledore are riding high, and Fudge and Umbridge
are in the, uh, sanitary facilities.  The testimony of the kids and
the four or five people I missed is way different from the situation
at the end of PoA.

On top of that, I suppose Harry and Neville forced Lucius to put on
his DE mask and accouterments, and go to the MoM in the middle of the
night?

Lissa:"It's still possible someone as slippery as Malfoy could worm
his way out of this one. Most of his opponents just aren't in the best
standing with the rest of the Wizarding World!"

That's what I'm scared of.  The differences in "standing" have
changed, but money still talks. He can still try the Imperius Defense.
OTOH, if I was a prosecutor I'd take this case to a jury with a song
in my heart.  You seldom get more evidence than this.

Jim Ferer, who also remembers who the Chief Warlock and Supreme
Mugwump is, having been restored in glory