HP Friday Five
1. Who is your favorite Death Eater? Why?
I wouldn’t call any of them “favorites.” However, Bellatrix is just so interestingly psychotic. Unfortunately, she also reminds me of my mother in some ways - none of them good.
2. Do you have any speculation regarding the relationship between Voldemort and Bellatrix?
Oh boy, yes. I’m fairly sure that Bellatrix fancies herself Voldemorts BFF and would like to be even more. I don’t think her feelings are returned.
3. How or why do you think Peter Pettigrew was made Secret Keeper for the Potters at the last minute, a week before the Potters' death?
How? Lily, who was good with charms, did the Fidelius charm with all three Potters and very probably Sirius present, in the house at Godric’s Hollow.
Why? Didn’t Sirius tell us why? I don’t have the books here and I don’t remember if this was in them or if I’m simply remembering discussions on HpfGU and here on LJ, but I thought that Sirius thought he was too obvious as Secret Keeper, and that no one would suspect Peter because he was the “overlooked” member of the group, and less talented/smart, etc. Also, Remus and Sirius both suspected each other of being Voldemort’s spy, and didn’t trust each other. At the time, Pettigrew must have seemed the obvious choice. Too bad neither Sirius, nor Remus, nor James really took the time to get to know Peter. I think his immaturity and entitlement make it obvious he’s not the kind of person you really want to trust.
4. Which Death Eater would be most likely to try and overthrow Voldemort and become the leader? (Or is it possible they are all so loyal that this could never happen?)
The vast majority of them don’t seem like the type who would want the responsibility of being in charge of whatever world domination plans they have. They are generally ambitious followers. The three exceptions, I think, are Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, and Severus Snape.
I’m committed to either NotEvilButOFH!Snape or UnpleastantButDDM!Snape, so I can’t see him leading the Death Eaters anywhere but into cells in Azkaban.
Bellatrix, is too devoted to Voldemort to try to overthrow him. I do think that if he were defeated Bellatrix might be the most likely to try to carry on his legacy of terror.
Then there’s Lucius Malfoy. I think he’s the obvious leader of the bunch, is genuinely committed to his Pureblood values and would do anything he could to preserve his world the way he likes it. If Voldemort were to begin acting in a manner that was detrimental to the preservation of Lucius’ world and well-being, I do think he might attempt an overthrow. Maybe.
5. Hagrid once said "When a wizard goes over ter the Dark Side, there's nothin' and no one that matters to 'em anymore..."
Think about this statement in terms of Snape. Does this apply to him as well? Did something or someone matter enough to him to become a spy for the Order?
As a general rule, I take most of Hagrid’s statements concerning Slytherin with a grain of salt. I think he is prone to hyperbole and sweeping generalizations. I don’t think he’s deliberately lying, but I do think he is often wrong and has very poor judgment. I do not think that Hagrid’s statement applies to Snape. We also have Regulus Black as an example of the incorrectness of this statement.
I wouldn’t call any of them “favorites.” However, Bellatrix is just so interestingly psychotic. Unfortunately, she also reminds me of my mother in some ways - none of them good.
2. Do you have any speculation regarding the relationship between Voldemort and Bellatrix?
Oh boy, yes. I’m fairly sure that Bellatrix fancies herself Voldemorts BFF and would like to be even more. I don’t think her feelings are returned.
3. How or why do you think Peter Pettigrew was made Secret Keeper for the Potters at the last minute, a week before the Potters' death?
How? Lily, who was good with charms, did the Fidelius charm with all three Potters and very probably Sirius present, in the house at Godric’s Hollow.
Why? Didn’t Sirius tell us why? I don’t have the books here and I don’t remember if this was in them or if I’m simply remembering discussions on HpfGU and here on LJ, but I thought that Sirius thought he was too obvious as Secret Keeper, and that no one would suspect Peter because he was the “overlooked” member of the group, and less talented/smart, etc. Also, Remus and Sirius both suspected each other of being Voldemort’s spy, and didn’t trust each other. At the time, Pettigrew must have seemed the obvious choice. Too bad neither Sirius, nor Remus, nor James really took the time to get to know Peter. I think his immaturity and entitlement make it obvious he’s not the kind of person you really want to trust.
4. Which Death Eater would be most likely to try and overthrow Voldemort and become the leader? (Or is it possible they are all so loyal that this could never happen?)
The vast majority of them don’t seem like the type who would want the responsibility of being in charge of whatever world domination plans they have. They are generally ambitious followers. The three exceptions, I think, are Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, and Severus Snape.
I’m committed to either NotEvilButOFH!Snape or UnpleastantButDDM!Snape, so I can’t see him leading the Death Eaters anywhere but into cells in Azkaban.
Bellatrix, is too devoted to Voldemort to try to overthrow him. I do think that if he were defeated Bellatrix might be the most likely to try to carry on his legacy of terror.
Then there’s Lucius Malfoy. I think he’s the obvious leader of the bunch, is genuinely committed to his Pureblood values and would do anything he could to preserve his world the way he likes it. If Voldemort were to begin acting in a manner that was detrimental to the preservation of Lucius’ world and well-being, I do think he might attempt an overthrow. Maybe.
5. Hagrid once said "When a wizard goes over ter the Dark Side, there's nothin' and no one that matters to 'em anymore..."
Think about this statement in terms of Snape. Does this apply to him as well? Did something or someone matter enough to him to become a spy for the Order?
As a general rule, I take most of Hagrid’s statements concerning Slytherin with a grain of salt. I think he is prone to hyperbole and sweeping generalizations. I don’t think he’s deliberately lying, but I do think he is often wrong and has very poor judgment. I do not think that Hagrid’s statement applies to Snape. We also have Regulus Black as an example of the incorrectness of this statement.