Order Only: Alliances
Dec. 27th, 2012 10:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_macnairSnape asked if I know anything about alliances amongst the Death Eaters. Can't say that there's much I'm certain of, but reckon I could offer some speculation.
The truest alliance in the council is between all of those who fought and risked their lives to bring Voldemort into power. Call them the old guard, if you like, though some of them, like Crouch Jr., are younger than I am. I've said it before, but the core of that lot see each other as family (and are family, in some cases), despite their surface differences. The group Miss Granger reported on represents that core, more or less. I reckon Antosha's return has united them more closely than ever before.
And then there's the others on the council who slipped in as the pieces of the Protectorate fell into place. They didn't risk much or contribute to the fight, but they have benefited by aligning themselves with the powers that be. The old guard regards them as scavenging opportunists, lacking in the strong pureblood ideals that characterise the old guard.
Looking at Miss Granger's report, I'd say that some of the old guard might feel threatened by those in the new, though it's hard to say - might just be aiming to remind the newer folk of their place on the rungs. Either way, it's good that there's tension in the ranks. For us, that is. Means they're distracted. Though it'd be better yet if there were fissures within the old guard itself.
Like I said, they're family to one another, but doesn't mean they don't have their weak spots. If you ask me, Lestrange is one of them. The younger one, that is. Maybe Selwyn and Rosier, as well. Even Malfoy, if you press right. Not Bellatrix and not Crouch, Jr, though.
Interesting that Malfoy says going to court is dangerous. I doubt that's much to do with Strangeweale or Glendower, and more down to the Lord Protector's state of mind.
The truest alliance in the council is between all of those who fought and risked their lives to bring Voldemort into power. Call them the old guard, if you like, though some of them, like Crouch Jr., are younger than I am. I've said it before, but the core of that lot see each other as family (and are family, in some cases), despite their surface differences. The group Miss Granger reported on represents that core, more or less. I reckon Antosha's return has united them more closely than ever before.
And then there's the others on the council who slipped in as the pieces of the Protectorate fell into place. They didn't risk much or contribute to the fight, but they have benefited by aligning themselves with the powers that be. The old guard regards them as scavenging opportunists, lacking in the strong pureblood ideals that characterise the old guard.
Looking at Miss Granger's report, I'd say that some of the old guard might feel threatened by those in the new, though it's hard to say - might just be aiming to remind the newer folk of their place on the rungs. Either way, it's good that there's tension in the ranks. For us, that is. Means they're distracted. Though it'd be better yet if there were fissures within the old guard itself.
Like I said, they're family to one another, but doesn't mean they don't have their weak spots. If you ask me, Lestrange is one of them. The younger one, that is. Maybe Selwyn and Rosier, as well. Even Malfoy, if you press right. Not Bellatrix and not Crouch, Jr, though.
Interesting that Malfoy says going to court is dangerous. I doubt that's much to do with Strangeweale or Glendower, and more down to the Lord Protector's state of mind.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-27 06:36 pm (UTC)I agree with you about Rabastan Lestrange, or at least as he presents himself at Hogwarts. The question, of course, is if Aurora Sinistra's Hufflepuffness is wearing off on him, or if his Death Eaterhood is wearing off on her. (I will note that she and Dolohov have got rather close, rather quickly; I have seen them exchanging books at table frequently.) Can you think of any methods that might be brought to bear on him? I do not think we can hope to turn any of that lot, but there is the chance we might splinter their solidarity.
As terrible for the country as an insane Dark Lord might be -- if he is beginning to succumb to his profligate use of the Dark Arts, it can only sow further dissention in the ranks. Perhaps if we wait long enough, the Dark Lord might take care of his followers for us.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-27 07:10 pm (UTC)On my worse nights, I think it is both. And she has a streak of unrelenting pragmatism that's grown more obvious. How much of that was the YPL and how much was her Raz, it's hard even for me to tell, and I've known her for twenty years. Poppy and I are trying, truly, to keep her talking, but there's clearly a lot she's not saying to either of us, and we don't want to push too hard and break her trust.
I do think, if you want a way to him, she is one of the better choices. Her or Harry, because she's been quite clear there, that Rabastan wants to do the best by Harry that he can.
There's also a question of how much she knows herself, and how much they're keeping from her, and again, it's near impossible to tell. It's true she's close to Dolohov (and closer than just exchanging books at supper, Severus, she's spending time chatting with him regularly, in private.) But she refuses to get into what, in particular, they talk about. And she's the same way about many of her conversations with her Raz.
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Date: 2012-12-27 07:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-27 08:16 pm (UTC)I want to think she'd do the right thing, given the knowledgeno subject
Date: 2012-12-27 07:40 pm (UTC)No more than cordial to witches within ten years of her own age (Hooch, Carpenter, Acton). Drawn to well-connected men with golden tongues, if Raz and Antosha are any indication. Absorbed in books and cerebral activities. More concerned with her students private lives and personal welfare than most.
Might be possible to bring her under the council's scrutiny, which could test Raz's loyalty. Though I doubt Poppy and Pomona would get behind that.
Far as I know, Raz's only passions in life were quidditch and women, and his brother and sister-in-law more or less forced him into the circle of Death Eaters. Wasn't until Evan Rosier was killed that he appeared fully committed to their cause. His apparent fondness for Harry, and for his niece and nephew, is an aspect to consider.
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Date: 2012-12-27 07:49 pm (UTC)Though the children do seem to be determined to involve themselves.
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Date: 2012-12-27 08:11 pm (UTC)The thing is, that as much as I agree about Harry, he's so close to Draco. And Draco's keeping loads of secrets from his father, it's true, but if we decided to offer Harry membership in the Order then he'd want to ask Draco as well. He just wants to include him in everything, and--well.
You can see how that's a problem. At least, right now.
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Date: 2012-12-27 08:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-27 08:24 pm (UTC)Why else do you think he's coming to you for lessons?
I'd love to induct him tomorrow, if it were possible but the fact is that Hermione's right about young Malfoy. To be fair, I think Draco's coming round to it but he and Miss Parkinson still have a blind spot for Lucius bloody Malfoy. Until something shakes that, it's unlikely we could trust them completely.
As for Harry, the kid's more than aware of his responsibilities in this whole mess. Too aware of it, if you ask me. If he joins, we'd better have a better plan in place to help him out than Mordred-accursed Occlumency lessons.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-27 08:47 pm (UTC)If Voldemort had been able to offer a similar show of support and love for Harry, you'd have a much tougher case on your hands as well, I reckon.
Where the Malfoys went wrong is in handing their son over as the target for Voldemort's disappointment and anger at Harry. Course, that might also be where they went right.
If Miss Granger is concerned that Harry's decisions hinge too much on Draco Malfoy, perhaps we ought to encourage her to sever them apart. Might be easier than convincing Draco to go against his Father.
Unless there's some way of showing him what his father really is. That tends to work wonders.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-27 08:11 pm (UTC)As to Gwendolyn, no, they've never been close and less so since that mess with Raz the beginning of his first year teaching. But even before that, I think Auri never could forgive Gwendolyn for not being Filius. Can't say I blame her at all there. (And I miss him more than ever, this week.)
As to bringing her under greater scrutiny - no. First, if we get it wrong, at all, it's the surest way to lose her as an option forever. Probably her Raz, too, and quite possibly others.
Look, she was ducking talking to us on Friday night, but I know she cancelled her plans with students and one of her exams, and I don't think she would have solely for Arthur's death. I think something happened then - at Court, I mean. We didn't get much chance to talk at Arthur's memorial, but she had that wariness I've seen a couple of times before. That something unusual had happened.
As to Raz's loyalty, there, you're right. She's said he's nearly a Hufflepuff in it (a compliment, obviously, coming from her) even when there are times it's clearly also frustrating to her. She's let on they don't treat him as well as she thinks he deserves, though she's not given much detail. And perhaps that's a way in, as well.