Compromising Positions

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 170183

Elkins long ago speculated that the Marauders fell out with one another 
because of their criminal past: they all knew that they were capable of
lawbreaking and endangering innocent lives, and so distrust
eventually drove them apart, enabling Voldemort to turn at least one
of them to evil ends.

I think the Trio might  come under the same pressure as a result
of their dealings with Rita Skeeter. Like three of the Marauders, she
is an illegal animagus. The Trio blackmailed her, extorting something
of value, namely her account of Harry's story,  in exchange for
keeping her secret. But Draco Malfoy also knows Rita's secret, and
that means the DE's have had access to it also.

It's possible that the Trio themselves could be blackmailed. But I'm
more interested in what would happen if they thought Rita was being
blackmailed or used by the Death Eaters. Would they feel bound by
their commitment to keep her secret, or by fear of exposing themselves,
not to tell anyone about her abilities? I don't suppose they'd
want to keep her secret, whatever the cost, if they had proof she 
was a DE, but what if they just suspected her?

This could be the way we find out what happened to the Marauders
in that mysterious time between leaving Hogwarts and GH.

Pippin