LV's Choice: Potters or Longbottoms or Both?

[Eustace_Scrubb]

No: HPFGUIDX 99151

Naama;
> > For your theory to be correct, we must assume that the
Longbottoms 
> > were attacked almost immediately after the Potters' death, since 
> > within a day or two it was known all over the WW that Voldemort
had 
> > been vanquished by Harry Potter. But according to canon, the 
> > Longbottoms were attacked a long time (years) after Voldemort's 
> > downfall. 
> 

Geoff:
> Unless I've missed something, canon is rather vague about the 
> timescale...
> 
> '"The Longbottoms were very popular," said Dumbledor. "The attacks
on 
> them came after Voldemort's fall from power just when everyone 
> thought they were safe.'"
> 
> (GOF "The Pensieve" p.524 UK edition)

Eustace_Scrubb again:

It does seem that the most common interpretation of canon is that the
attack came some months after Godric's Hollow.  But I agree with Geoff
that Dumbledore's statement to Harry in GOF doesn't necessarily mean
that, especially in light of the reaction of the WW immediately after
Voldemort's disappearance as noted in Chapter 1 of SS/PS.  As I've
noted earlier in this thread, though McGonagall felt caution was in
order, clearly the average wizard/witch on the street "thought they
were safe" then, as they celebrated with fireworks and even revealed
their feelings to muggles like Vernon Dursley.  And even Dumbledore
felt moved to join the celebrations after leaving Harry on Privet
Drive.

Again, I absolutely realize the common interpretation may well be
right; I just don't see canon that rules out my interpretation...so
far.

Cheers,

Eustace_Scrubb