Neville's nerves (Castles in the air?)

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 124859



> vmonte responds:
> Yep, I agree. I've said this here myself. I wouldn't be surprised 
> if Snape was there with Lucius. This event happened after GH, and 
> Lucius would have told Voldemort about it. Snape being there would
> be enough proof to Voldemort that Snape was still on his side and
> working from within Hogwarts.
> 
> I also see Snape as having a personal vendetta against Neville (much
> along the lines of Harry) that reflects perhaps an equal dislike of
> his parents. Perhaps, Neville will begin to remember some of the
> events regarding his parents attack. <snip>


a_svirn:  
Well, I am not sure. I mean, yes SOMEHOW Snape is definitely 
involved, but, why would HE torture the Longbottoms? He IS rather 
bitter and vindictive, but there has been not a single hint in canon 
so far that Snape and the Longbottoms were at outs. He does not make 
a secret of his hatred towards Potter Sr. but he has never ever 
mentioned Frank Longbottom.  

Also Snape certainly doesn't strike me as a type to risk everything 
in order to bring LV back. And neither does Lucius for that matter. 
He was faring just fine without his Lord and Master after all. And 
in his Welcome Speech LV did make his displeasure of Lucius known. 
He said something about being constantly on the alert, but I don't 
think LV was fooled. And take Crouch Jr. – he positively loathes 
Snape and the Malfoys! 

On the other hand JRK stated in one of interviews that Bellatrix 
didn't know about the prophecy and anyway she's somewhat crazy at 
best of times. She must have been confused and dangerous after her 
Lord's downfall.  She could have become as much of a liability for 
those who were willing to adjust to the Brave New World as Crouch 
Sr. I can see how accomplished manipulators like Snape and Malfoy 
could use her to their own ends. 

Suppose Bellatrix and Co were fed some kind of a false story 
concerning the Longbottoms (a popular pure-blood family) and then 
Aurors were tipped just in time to find her AND a son of the most 
relentless anti-DE in the whole Ministry red-handed? That would have 
taken care of several problems simultaneously. To hatch and execute 
such a scheme would be more like Snape that trying to bring LV back 
in which case he could be the one who obliviated the Longbottoms.   

a_svirn