Conspiracies and re-assessments

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 113147

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "nkafkafi" 
<nkafkafi at y...> wrote:
> 
> It is also possible that the regular stuff didn't tell Lupin for 
 similar reasons, or that some of the stuff really didn't know (I'm 
pretty sure McGonagall did) but that doesn't change the fact that 
at  least 200 wizards (and everybody they told) did know about 
it.<

Pippin:
And you're contending that none of those people, the two 
hundred (and everybody they told), were Hogwarts parents, when 
it's the only wizarding school in Britain?

::boggles::

Neri:
> Also, note that after the Pensieve scene in GoF, DD asked 
Harry not  to tell about Neville's parents (probably only out of 
consideration  for Neville's feelings, as this "secret" also wasn't 
much of secret) 
> BUT he never told him not to mention that Snape is an ex-DE 
who changed sides and spied after LV. DD doesn't even look 
bothered when  he finds that Harry learned it. It really doesn't 
look like it is  that much of a secret.<

Pippin:
Dumbledore knows he can trust in the Trio's discretion about 
something like this. And even if the Trio blabbed, who'd believe 
them? No one's going to take the word of three fourteen year old 
wizards, when  everyone knows they have a grudge against 
Snape. 

According to Sirius  it was Karkaroff who betrayed all those DE's 
and Snape was never even suspected. I'd say the records of the 
trial were altered, and the memories of those who were there, 
with the exception of Dumbledore, were altered too. If so, then 
even  Mad-eye Moody wouldn't remember the truth.  

 We've seen that the Order isn't too dainty to use memory charms 
...remember Marietta? And they've been used on far larger 
numbers of people. The largest batch of the previous century 
was done on a beach full of Muggles at Ilfracombe (FBAWTFT) 
(which I gather is a very crowded place). But we've seen they're 
just as effective on wizards.
.

> Neri:
> DD looked into Kreacher's mind to find the truth, and probably 
 consider it proof enough for himself, if not for any official court. 
 He knew enough about Lucius to continue the investigation in 
other ways. If Lucius is bewitched it is certainly important to know 
how and by whom. 
>Lucius was clearly the head of the pro-Voldemort faction 
and he was working against DD. Other governors told DD that 
Lucius  had threatened them and their families. It just seems 
odd that DD  does nothing about Lucius Malfoy. <

Pippin:

Let's be clear. Lucius   did *not*   openly suport Lord Voldemort.  
That would not have been ... prudent, as he reminds Draco. It is 
disgusting to be a racist, but it  is not against the law (nor  do I 
think Dumbledore would punish anyone for their beliefs, no 
matter how misguided and evil they might be.)  Neither does it 
seem that any of the school governors were willing to accuse 
Lucius  openly. He was kicked off the board of governors, not 
tried for blackmail. Smells of a deal, doesn't it? Resign quietly, 
Lucius, and we won't make a stink. 

  Even if it could be proved that Lucius gave the diary to Ginny, it 
could not be proven that he himself was not under its spell. I do 
not think Dumbledore believes that, I'm just pointing out there's 
not enough of a case to convince the Ministry.  Have we ever 
seen Dumbledore take the law into his own hands to punish 
someone? He much prefers giving people enough rope to hang 
themselves. 

I agree that there's a Snape Malfoy connection and Dumbledore 
finds it valuable, but I think it's white world, or was until the end
of GoF. That is, Snape and Malfoy were associated, but neither 
knew the other was a member of Voldemort's Inner Circle during 
the Voldemort era. 

Afterwards, Lucius claimed, not that he had never been a Death 
Eater, but that he had been forced to become one by the 
Imperius Curse, as some people undoubtedly were.  IMO, 
Snape  never believed this, and it drove him half-mad to have to  
behave as if he did in order to keep up his lap-dog role.  It would 
be like trying to act as if he were fond of Harry.  Thus the sudden 
movement when Harry finally excuses him from the charade. 

Pippin
who admits Neri's explanation is simpler, but thinks that it 
doesn't account for all the facts in evidence