[HPforGrownups] Gringotts / Malfoy Manor

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 163082

thursday:
>1) Is there anything official on whether the Ministry can seize 
>Gringott's accounts or if the goblins would thumb their noses at 
>anyone who tried?  Under what circumstances do you think the first 
>could occur and/or how long do you think the goblins would hold an 
>account intact waiting for a valid claim?

Bart:
I assume that, at the time of the HP novels (at least the first 7), the goblins and the Ministry are in cooperation with each other. I assume that the Miinstry can seize accounts under much the same circumstances as the British government can seize accounts of their own citizens. 

thursday
>2) If the Ministry kept raiding Malfoy Manor why didn't Lucius just 
>place it under the fidelis charm so they couldn't find it anymore?  
>Do you think he's read "The Purloined Letter"?  Perhaps he's got 
>other properties under the fidelis and doesn't want anyone 
>speculating about where he really lives?

Bart:
Lucius Malfoy was posing as an upstanding, law-abiding citizen who was victimized by certain elements in the Ministry, and who, having a lot of possessions and a long-established family, may inadvertently have owned a few forbidden items, but was certainly not trying to HIDE anything.