DE's Dilemma... (was: DD's dilemma )

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 126366


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> wrote:

> 
> Pippin:
>
> ...edited..
> 
> That would also explain why the DE's were so reluctant to use 
> lethal force when ambushing Harry and co at the Ministry. They 
> didn't want to set off any alarm bells. 
> 
> ....edited...
> 
> Pippin

bboyminn:

Sorry, I'm taking a complete change of direction here. My new
direction is related to comments (much) farther up in this thread, but
not necessarily to the more immediate subject of discussion.

Pippin's statement reminded me of these earlier comments and brought
up some new ideas.

In discussion of the protection on Harry at the Dursley's someone
wonder why the DE's never tried to attack Harry. Was he really that
hard to find? Certainly, as we see from Bellatrix actions, there were
fanatically eager DE's around after Voldemort's apparent defeat, why
no attempts at vengeance and retribution?

Let's look at how Voldemort was vanquish oh so many years ago. The
darkest most powerful wizard in a century (maybe in history) was
defeated by an infant; a wandless, helpless, seeming defenseless
infant (OK, maybe toddler). I think that creates a HUGE element of
doubt in the DE's minds. 

Are any of them actually going to have the courage to attempt to do,
what in their eyes, the greatest wizard of all time could not do? 

Voldemort has twice since his return attempted to AK (killing curse)
Harry (graveyard and Ministry Atrium). But I really have to believe
that in the back of his mind, Voldemort has some doubt as to the
wisdom and safety of that action. 

In his rebirth, he MAY (emphasis on 'may') have overcome Harry's
protection, or he may have only overcome one small aspect of it. In
Dumbledore's end of book speech (GoF), he says that Harry still has
that protection. So, Voldemort in the moment, may have been angry and
arrogant enough to truly attempt to kill Harry, but I'm sure he did so
with a definite element of uncertainty gnawing at him.

Now to the DE's, it seems obvious that they were going to kill Harry
and friends after they got the Prophecy, but I see that conversation
going something like this....

Lucius: 
You have interferred with the Dark Lord once too often Potter, but in
me you have met your match, and now you will meet your death. Avery...
kill him.

Avery:
What...? Whoa... wait... what... me... why me? You kill him.

Lucius: (furious and frustrated)
Avery! I'm in charge, I order you to kill him!

Avery: (sarcastic)
Oh very brave of you. Screw that, I'm not getting vaporized. You're in
charge, you kill him.

Lucius:(big gulp then smarmy)
Ah... Bella. Dear sweet Bellatrix, you are certainly the Dark Lord's
most loyal servant, certainly you must want to perform this service
for him. 

Bellatrix: (suddenly not so confident)
Well I... well I... umm... Well, I'll torture him for you, more than
happy to do that. But kill him... Well... (voice trails off)

Lucius:
Jugson! Dolohov! Somebody kill him! That's an order.

Jugson: (thoughfully)
Maybe if we don't use a wand. We could stab him. Anybody go a knife?

Dolohov:
We could throw him off the roof. Of course, that might not kill him.

As the DE's form a circle and begin to debate various alternate
methods of killing Harry, Harry and friends slowly tiptoe away and
make their escape.

OK, I was having a little fun there, but I think I've illustrated a
very valid point. Given the mystery of how a little wandless baby so
easily defeated (in their opinion) the darkest most powerful wizard of
all time, I have to believe that anyone and everyone is filled with
real doubt as to IF and HOW Harry can even be killed. And IF and WHEN
someone attempts that feat, they would much prefer that it was someone
other than themselves.

Certainly, that would be strong incentive for the DE to avoid Harry at
all cost. Note that the ever-so-fanatic Bellatrix left Harry alone and
went after the Longbottoms, two powerful experience Aurors. 

So, while I think there was a real potential danger to Harry, I also
think friend and foe alike have real doubts as to IF and HOW Harry can
be killed. And I further think that there isn't anyone including
Voldemort that is too eager to be the first one to try.

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn