The attack on the Longbottoms

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 123432


Betsy:
But the rows and rows of wizards and witches *are* the Wizengamot.
They must be, because the WW does *not* know that Snape was a Death
Eater. (Parents would not stand for a former Death Eater teaching
their children. Rita Skeeter would have listed Snape as one of
Dumbledore's mistakes.)

Plus, how wise is it to tell the world that someone is a spy before
the war was over? As to the crediblity of that amount of people
keeping a secret - well they are wizards you know. There is probably
a spell to make sure what is spoken of in closed session stays closed.

vmonte responds:
I doubt that a spell was used to keep people quiet. 

I do however have a problem with Dumbledore using Snape as a spy. I 
realize that Dumbledore is a "strategist," and that it is important 
for him to use whatever means he can to destroy Voldemort; but it 
still doesn't make me feel good about Snape being let off for his 
past wrongs. 

It kind of reminds me of how the U.S. prosecution system makes deals 
with criminals in order to get worse criminals put behind bars. Mafia 
hit men can get a new identity and life, in exchange for spying and 
collecting information about their boss. But what about the fact that 
these people will never be punished for all the murders they have 
committed?

Snape's situation is even worse in that he is responsible for 
hurting "good" people, not other criminals. I really hope that Snape 
wasn't one of the people responsible for torturing Neville's parents--
I just have a bad feeling about this--although no proof. This 
incident happened after Voldemort disappeared, and Dumbledore makes a 
point of telling Harry that the information about the attackers was 
gotten out of the Longbottoms who were not exactly in their right 
mind.

Page 603, U.S. edition GoF

"The Longbottoms were very popular," said Dumbledore. "The attacks on 
them came after Voldemort's fall from power, just when everyone 
thought they were safe. Those attacks caused a fury such as I have 
never known. The Ministry was under great pressure to catch those who 
had done it. Unfortunately, the Longbottoms' evidence--given their 
condition--none too reliable."

"Then Mr. Crouch's son might not have been involved?" said Harry 
slowly.

Dumbledore shook his head.

"As to that, I have no idea."

vmonte:
So, Dumbledore does not know who was there that night. Crouch Jr. was 
there, could Snape have also been there? 

The GoF staircase scene with Harry and the egg would take new meaning 
wouldn't it? I'm talking about the moment between Crouch Jr. (as Fake!
Moody) and Snape, where they both look at each other for a few 
minutes without speaking. Was there a kind of "aha" moment there?!  

Was Snape the person who heard the prophecy? Did Snape and Lucius 
think that the prophecy was about Neville? A pureblood? 

The section on the DE trials is very difficult reading. The DEs 
aren't petty criminals; they are torturing, and killing entire 
families--children included. JKR makes us know exactly what kinds of 
things were happening, and what kinds of people could do this. 

It could very well be that Snape has reformed; I still think he 
should accept punishment for his crimes. At least as much jail time 
as Sirius, who was innocent!

Vivian