LV's Choice: Potters or Longbottoms or Both?

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 99032

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Eustace_Scrubb" <dk59us at y...>
wrote:
> Further on the above subject:
> 
> After a few hours sleep, I've realized that of course the Fidelius
> Charm and the identity of the Potters' Secret Keeper played a role in
> Voldemort's decision on which family to hit first, at least as to when
> to act.  
> 
> But that doesn't rule out the possibility that he intended to kill the
> Longbottoms as well.  I don't think canon tells us whether Dumbledore
> advised the Longbottoms to go into hiding as well, does it?  If they
> did, then it would seem unlikely that both families' Secret Keepers
> would betray them at the same time and that _would_ kill off my
> theory.  But if so, would the Longbottoms have emerged from hiding so
> quickly after Godric's Hollow that Bella and the gang would be able to
> find and torture them?  I'm guessing they weren't in hiding before or
> after Godric's Hollow.

I've believed this as well, and called it the "King Herod" solution. 
But why wait until he found out where the Potters were?  To avoid the
other family going into hiding by doing both in one night.

I think you've made an excellent case why the Longbottoms weren't in
hiding.

Like you, I can't imagine why Voldemort would kill one family and
spare the other. He certainly isn't worried about the injustice of it.

Jim Ferer