When does a war begin?

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 120929



> 
> Renee:
> Marietta got the same information from DD as the other 
students did  about what happened at the end of the Triwizard 
Tournament. <

Pippin:
Even Harry could not tell that Voldemort was back from public 
information. Fudge and Dumbledore had been allies up to the 
end of Year Four, then each accused the other of having 
deteriorated. Given that people can deteriorate, how was anyone 
to know who was right? Harry himself didn't give absolute trust to 
Dumbledore in OOP, so why should anyone else?

It's interesting to consider how Dumbledore himself handled the 
issue of being in a war himself when the wizarding world at large  
wasn't. Consider the protections around the stone: Fluffy's 
potential to maim is considerable. But Dumbledore warns 
everyone IIRC, "The third floor corridor is off-limits to everyone 
who does not wish to suffer a sudden and painful death." 
Hermione could have warned people that anyone who talked 
would suffer a sudden and painful hex. She wouldn't have had to 
go into details to avoid being devious.

And I really, really doubt a hex like Hermione's would have 
protected the Order from the traitor within -- Voldemort, unlike 
Umbridge, takes a practical interest in jinxes. He would have 
been able to break such a spell.

Pippin