Lucius, Dobby and side #3 was:Lucius Malfoy's Ambition

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 126771


>Thursday wrote:
<snip> 
> Hannah also expressed concern that "if Lucius sent Dobby, it
> undermines the whole character and purpose of the elf."  How?
> Hannah, you also pointed out that Kreacher "managed to bend the
> rules when a direct order wasn't prohibiting him."  Does the idea
> of only a general guideline instead of specific orders make you
> view my theory any differently?
<snip>
> Here's another little tidbit question about the diary that all of
> you have probably already discussed:
> If the diary maneuver had been sucessful, would there be *two* dark
> lords running about?  There wasn't any sign of the disembodied,
> older version in the Chamber waiting to occupy the newly restored
> young body.  Newly restored young body appeared to be occupied
> already.  Would the two versions work together? or compete for
> control of the DEs?  How different might things have been in the
> later adventures if the younger version had survived and dominated?
> 
> Goodness this list is fun.

Hannah:  

I wasn't very clear there, I meant 'Dobby the specific elf' rather 
than 'elves in general,' but I phrased it badly.  If Lucius sent 
Dobby, then he lied to Harry throughout CoS, and even once he was 
freed, never owned up.  Dobby's intervention in CoS establishes his 
character, and if it turns out that he was only following orders, 
then his character development makes less sense.

In CoS, Dobby's actions tell us he believes passionately in house 
elf rights and in trying to protect his kind (through protecting 
Harry).  It shows that he is brave, and prepared to undergo injury 
and the danger of being found out by Lucius, in order to do what he 
thinks is right.  He is established as unconventional for a house 
elf.  And of course, we see that his interventions, though well 
meaning, often cause more trouble than they prevent. Dobby does his 
best to protect Harry, but isn't particularly good at it. It also 
establishes his near worship of Harry.

This behaviour is backed up by his actions in GoF and OotP.  But if 
Lucius actually sent him, most of these traits are undermined.  It 
suggests Dobby cares little for Harry, isn't particularly 
politically minded or brave about it, isn't unconventional, and is 
in fact extremely sneaky, devious, and untrustworthy.  That doesn't 
tie in with his later actions as a 'free-elf.'

Now for part two, the question of the two Dark Lords.  Had TMR been 
successful, there would theoretically have been two Voldemorts on 
the planet; one being restored!Tom, the other being Vapour!Mort.  
But I don't think TMR would have been willing to seek out his former 
incarnation.  At that stage, LV was at his weakest, the Quirrel 
effort having failed, he was by his own admission at his lowest ebb. 

Even though Vapour!Mort would technically be the same person as TMR, 
I can't see TMR wanting to share power even with himself.  I think 
he would have gone it alone as the Dark Lord, and maybe even 
attempted to sabotage his former self if he thought Vapour!Mort 
posed any threat to him.

Hannah, who wholeheartedly agrees that HPfGU is fun!