A Question

[ladyzenobia.livejournal.com]

Hello! I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but since I came across the topic here, I thought it would be appropriate.

I was reading oryx_leucoryx's wonderful GoF chapter commentary and it was mentioned that Bellatrix/the Lestranges managed to talk their way out of Azkaban before attacking the Longbottoms. This is actually something I've come across before on various forums and when reading theories, but I can't find anything about it in the books. I tried looking for old interviews and it isn't mentioned there either as far as I can tell. So I was just wandering, how do you know this? I'd be very grateful if someone gave me a quote or something :)

Also, this is my first post here, so I'm sorry if I've made some grave error.

Comments

[hwyla.livejournal.com]

I agree! I also believe that even Sirius' parents didn't mind the few 'white' sheep (like the Weasleys) until after Sirius had run off. Otherwise just how would Sirius have any idea the Weasleys were even ON the tree IF they had been blasted off before he was born?

Note that he wasn't even aware whether Tonks was on the tree or not as he didn't know whether her mother had been blasted or not. That means that Andromeda's marriage to Ted did not lead to the immediate blasting off the tree. Or at least, not one that the boys were made to watch.

[oryx_leucoryx]

Otherwise just how would Sirius have any idea the Weasleys were even ON the tree IF they had been blasted off before he was born?

Well, there would be a burn mark, and perhaps one day Sirius could have asked around what the mark represented, or perhaps when he met Molly's brothers they chatted about family ties and he realized the brothers' brother-in-law was his relative via a disowned family line.

[hwyla.livejournal.com]

But they would be Sirius' relation to the Prewitts - and that connection is still there on the tree. After all, Molly's brothers were not Weasleys and Arthur & Molly were not Order members in the first war. Yes - they MIGHT have mentioned Molly's family, But that requires a level of trust that I'm not sure is shown.

Of course, in truth, looking at how silly the Order members could be about protecting themselves (Lily's letter, the Order photo), you are correct that the brothers just might have discussed their family at meetings, despite the apparent fact that there was a traitor among them. Perhaps, before it became obvious?

I will say that Sirius knew exactly where to find that blast mark, very quickly. And that since he was not sure Andromeda was blasted or not, I still tend to think all the marks came from a fit of temper of Walburga's upon Sirius' running away to the Potter's.

However, I will also say, that the Wizarding World in general does not seem to discuss family interconnections, perhaps because everyone IS related somehow. Or, Perhaps it just seems that way because the only appropriate connections to be made would have been by Sirius who avoids it. Tough choice there for deciding. It is still odd that he doesn't discuss his connections to the Potters with Harry (nor with James when they meet on that first train), but would with the Prewitt twins. But, it IS possible, despite Sirius' general tendency to not discuss his family.

[oryx_leucoryx]

I will say that Sirius knew exactly where to find that blast mark, very quickly. And that since he was not sure Andromeda was blasted or not, I still tend to think all the marks came from a fit of temper of Walburga's upon Sirius' running away to the Potter's.

That would cover Sirius, and Andromeda, maybe. Alphard was blasted off a bit later becaue Sirius was 17 when he got the money (not that it mattered - he wasn't living at home in any case). So you are saying the Black who married Septimus Weasley, Marius Black the squib and Phineas Nigelus' sister were also blasted off while Sirius was no longer living at home?

However, I will also say, that the Wizarding World in general does not seem to discuss family interconnections, perhaps because everyone IS related somehow. Or, Perhaps it just seems that way because the only appropriate connections to be made would have been by Sirius who avoids it.

We hear very little about the Weasleys too.

Back to your speculations about Charlus Potter: whoever he was, the one son he had (and any grandchildren) must have been dead by 1981 for Minerva to accept that the Dursleys were Harry's only relatives.

[hwyla.livejournal.com]

True - but then a great many people on that tree died relatively young. The 'one son' could have been born in 1940 and may or may not have had any children. May not even have married. My main problem with Charlus as Harry's grandfather is that it doesn't fit what JKR said about James' parents dying at a relatively 'old age' from disease. IF she had them die in the war, then I would agree that they could be James' parents. And wouldn't that play havoc with Sirius' claim that everyone in his family was 'dark'. Harry would have been quite put out about that.

However, IF they were Harry's grandparents, then Harry had plenty of relatives. They just might not have been people wanted Harry to live among (Malfoys?). But, then the Weasleys, the Longbottoms and the Crouches would also have been considered relatives.

I just cannot see James and Sirius as not having any idea they were related if they were that closely so - having a grandparent who were siblings. Add another layer or two of cousins 4th? 5th? and I can see it easier. Personally, I think Sirius just never mentioned Charlus because then he would either have to tell Harry that Harry had 'dark' relatives or admit that not all of his own (Sirius') relatives were actually 'dark'