CHAP DISC: HBP 22, After the Burial

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 159486

<SNIP summary by Allie>

> 2.  The Montgomery boy was attacked because his mother refused to 
help the Death Eaters.  The books make it seem like the Death Eaters 
are constantly threatening random and numerous wizards who refuse to 
help them.  Are there enough Death Eaters for this to be realistic? 
How many Death Eaters do we think there are?  What did they want from 
the Montgomery witch?  Will we hear more about her?

Goddlefrood comments: -

I have formed the view that there are 49 Death Eaters at any given 
time. This is for no better reason than a fair assessment of the 
graveyard scene in GoF and LV's belief in the power of the number 7. 
49 being the square of 7 would have particular significance for him.

The wizarding world could quite effectively be terrorised by the 
Death Eaters, they already have the advantage that LV is universally 
feared and reviled and on that basis very few could spread a great 
deal of panic to very many. This is further reinforced by the 
statement in PS that nobody knew who to trust in the wizarding 
community prior to LV's first downfall, which rather suggests that 
the Death Eaters were effective in spreading threats and curses far 
and wide.

As to what motive they may have had for going after the Montgomery 
witch I have nothing to assist but I do apprehend, on the basis of 
JKR's assertion that all will be revealed, that an explanation, 
however brief, would appear in book 7.

Goddlefrood, who is rather pressed for time and has little else to 
say in respect of other questions posed.