The Lucius Malfoy/Delores Umbridge connection (Was: Another time line )

[Dana]

No: HPFGUIDX 168758

Carol responds:
> I'm a bit confused. Do you think that umbridge is a Death eater and
> that she went after certain people (Hagrid, for example) because 
> they were Order members or because of their connections with 
> Harry? As I understand it, she went after Hagrid in part because 
> of his connection with Dumbledore (same reason she sent the 
> Dementors after Harry), but also she was a power-hungry tyrant who 
> really wanted to sack somebody. As for McGonagall, she got in the 
> way (Umbridge's view) when Umbridge was trying to arrest Hagrid. 
> I'm not sure that Voldemort even knew about McGonagall's being in 
> the hospital.
<snip>

Dana:
No, Umbridge is not a DE but I think her power hunger can be played 
like a violin and I believe Lucius did that. Umbridge has no direct 
contact with LV or knows anything about his plans for Harry. 
Umbridge is however fighting both Harry and DD all year and tried to 
expel Harry but then DD intervened.  This means that Umbridge can be 
played to remove Harry's life-lines which happens to be the same 
people that could mess up LV's plan, if Harry could go to them for 
help. And Lucius either directly to Umbridge or through Fudge could 
hint at her who Harry is friendly with at Hogwarts and to who he 
goes to if he is in need and if she wants him to get expelled then 
removing them would make it a sure thing that no one would fight his 
expulsion. Therefore playing Umbridge drum the right way would have 
benefited LV's plan and Umbridge would only have needed some 
encouragement. 

Why would Umbridge that already suspected Harry to be in contact 
with Sirius Black not mention his name as someone Harry wanted to 
talk to. Arthur brought him to his hearing and is his friend's dad 
but no mention of him either. There where more people Harry could 
have tried to contact but she specifically mentions these three and 
then when Snape shows up and doesn't help her like she wants him to, 
she specifically says she is disappointed in him while Lucius speaks 
so highly of him. 

It would not have been very difficult for LV to find out that 
McGonagall would be in the hospital, it is not like it is a closed 
institution, also Auror's would have informed Fudge and Fudge is so 
very chatty with Lucius. No, problem to find out the status on 
McGonagall's health status at all, besides they had no problem 
knowing Bode was recovering and why them send them those nice 
flowers. 

And as Sirius already told us in the beginning of the book, LV would 
have his spies within the MoM, like the Order has too. It doesn't 
all depend on Lucius. We also have seen Sckakelbolt give 
misinformation about Sirius and his whereabouts, it is not that 
difficult to have your spies supply people with information you want 
the MoM to act on if it is in your benefit. But to be honest I think 
Umbridge highlighting her connection with Lucius herself says enough 
to me. 

JMHO

Dana