At Spinner's end we learn that Bella believed that she was LV's favorite DE. Snape informed her that she's not because she messed up at the ministry, which makes perfect sense, but seemed to be a shock for her. But that doesn't explain why LV would make her believe she was. In order to maintain his totalitarian control on the DEs LV needs to reward those followers who deserve it and punish the ones who displease him. Relenting could hurt him, so why make an exception for Bella?

I think LV treated her above the other DEs to keep her silent. She was the only DE at the ministry who escaped going to Azkaban, meaning she was the only DE who was present at the disaster who could contact other DEs. Because of this, she is the only free DE who knows that LV is not pureblood, courtesy of Harry. Did LV cuddle up to her so she would keep his secret?

I was under the impression from DD that several of the DE's thought they were LV's faourite, but n fact not one of them were. It was his way of controlling them.
I may be wrong though?
Cheers
Aled

Yeah, I agree with Aleddodc. DD says Voldemort doesn't have friends, just some kind of... slaves, maybe? In fact, Voldy doesn't trust any of the Death Eaters with the knowledge of his Horcruxes. And I think Snape is his favourite one because he can play very well his role whatever side he's in.

It's very easy for someone to make another feel "special" or "important", by giving them something (whether it's information or a reward) that the person doesnt think anyone else has... perhaps LV has told Bella that she's the only one who knows his secret (that he's a mudblood), and that he TRUSTS her to keep it a secret. We all know that LV would NEVER trust ANYONE, but does Bella??

Perhaps deep deep deep down she's starting to realise that LV isnt all that she thought he was... fingers crossed for book 7!

I think LV uses this kind of things to make DEs jealousy of each other. To make them try harder to be placed higher in his confidence, but in the end, he really turtes no one.
He uses jelousy to divide and to be sure that they're going to obey his order

It must be a strange situation not to like/love somebody, what i'm not sure is do the DE's love other people?? At least three have children, and at least 4 are married or are these relationships od convenience?? Maybe DD theory regarding love is more important than we think. Finally one LV does not seem to like or love anybody but he does seem to dislike some less than others. He seemed to get on quite well with Slughorn??
Cheers
Aled

I think you're right, and I think this is a way to keep them devoted - saying "you're my most loyal, most devoted, most needed friend" is a motivation tecnique, so to speak. Bella probably believed this, Wormtail probably believed this, Lucius probably did too. I think the secret Bella referred to is the excistence of a horcrux - I think they all knew that LV made horcruxes (when returning to corporal shape he said to them that they should have known that he was alive, because they know what efforts or what lenghts he had gone to, to be immortal), but Bella might know how many horcruxes there are or the identity or location of one of them.
Probably none of the DEs knew about LV's origin - he wouldn't be credible as their leader had they known, considering their beliefs concerning pure blood.
(Anyone but me remembering the life story of Hitler, and the rumours that he was part jewish, now? His father was unknown to him, because he left his mother, and young Adolf grew up under poor conditions. His antisemitism came to the surface after he had left his family, and he only became a political leader after being hurt in the first world war, and jailed.)

LV just used Slughorn to get what he wanted: popularity and information about Horcruxes.

I don't think Wormatail ever believed he was LVs favorite. In GoF, it seemed like LV only tolerated him because he had to, then he handed him off to Snape. LV knows perfectly well that Wormatail can't be trusted; he's committed treason once and joins sides with whoever has the most power. I doubt that Wormtail is in his inner circle.

Yeah, LV only uses people to get what he wants. He knows Bella would love to be his favorite, so he lets her believe that so she'll continue her loyalty to him.

Hmmmm.. I haven't really given this much thought but you may be right "nympheart."

I agree with this - that he keeps her close because she knows certain knowledge. We also know from Snape and Draco's conversation in HBP that she is skilled in Occulmency...
But if she does have this knowledge (I don't think Lucious does or he wouldn't of handed the book out to anyone, as DD stated) then she is the one who could create the most damage to him in the long run.


She may of asked him and then he lied to her but that doubt is still there... (LilyB - the thing with Hilter is when some of his closer aids found out they started to try to assisnate him... because he was not what they thought he was and was everything they were against)

Yeah, it says that she has been teaching Draco so she must be good. Not as good as Snape though... But good enough... You know what i mean?

Most of the DE probaly just wish that they were LV favourites because it would in turn make them more powerful and more important then the other DE. The ones that went to azkaban, like Bella, may well believe that this makes them more worthy of LV trust because they are more loyal.

Vldie is definately using the favouritism tactic.

As to Bella knowing of the horcrux, I disagree with that 100%. Voldie would NEVER let anyone know of the horcruxes. Also RAB says he alone knows or seomthing so he is the only DE who kows, IMO and I don't think Voldie told him.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Voldie tell all the DE's that Harry was standing on his muggle father's grave in GOF?

i'm not sure im thinkin he said that his father served his purpose in death like harry's parents, im not sure he said that his father was a muggle

He only said his fathers a muggle to Wormtail and Harry.

i think bella is the only DE besides Wormtail who knows of the dark lord's past now. Because of how she reacted to harry when he said that he was a half-blood., it makes me think that none of the other DE's know. About bella knowing the possibility of horcruxes, i think it's plausible. The Dark Lord did say in GOF that they all knew what steps(plural) he had taken and that one of his experiments(again plural) to make himself immortal. This tells me that they know atleast something about the horcruxes and that there are more than one. Think about it, how did dumbledore get the idea that the dark lord would make something like that? Maybe snape had told him about them, being a DE himself. Who knows.

you know actually,i'd like to talk about bella's last name...Lestrange,now that's a french name and i was just wondering why rowling gave the most evil person (next to voldy) a french name,could it possibly have anything to do with the rivalry between britain and france?

I think that snape also knows that LV is halfblood. Wormtail wouldn't be brave enough to tell the DE LV secret and I can't imagine Bella spilling the beans on him either. Jo could be having a dig at the french.(Tee Hee)

Don't worry about it. I have just checked and he does say he was standing on the remains of his dead muggle father and that he served a purpose (completely paraphrased! but you get the idea )

However he said this prior to the DE's arrival and Bella was in Azkaban so proved myself wrong.

I still disagree with him telling Bella about the horcruxes though. But I know that Bella and Peter know he was a half blood and I have a feeling Snape knew too.

I like what ya'll are coming up with! they give me something to think about.

I've always believe while reading the books that voldermort, worked alone. In Dumbledore's words, "You will hear many of his Death Eaters claiming that they are in his confidence, that they alone are close to him, even understand him. They are deluded. Lord Voldemort has never had a friend, nor do I believe that he has ever wanted one." (HBP13 lexicon)

I don't think he has a favorite. Since his soul is broken up into so many different pieces I have to wonder if he is even able to feel connected to anyone, he hasn't in the past so why now?

He has the ability to control other people, I get the feeling that there may be a few who think they have an "in" with the dark lord, but they only do his bidding and probially don't know the full story behind anything that he asks them to do. giving his minions things to do may make them feel important but they really aren't.

I think you're absolutely right, Fabulous Prewett. Voldemort neither needed nor wanted close friends - he had Death Eaters whom he would trust to carry out his bidding more than others (e.g. Bellatrix, Snape as opposed to say Regulus or Wormtail), but they were not his friends or even his favourites - merely his most trusted servants.

I think that the DE's knew he was doing something to gain immortality but I do not think they knew what. I also don't think that many people know that LV's father was a muggle. All the DEs seem shocked and disbelieving when Harry told them that LV was a "mixed-blood) at the ministry. And I also think that Bella saw herself as his most favorite because she never gave up on him, went to prison blah..blah. I think that LV just lets all of his DEs think that they are his favorite so that they will follow him.

despite being a huge H&G shipper and avid Ginny lover i am actually a huge fan of Bella L. i think her evilness is more frightful than Voldemort's because her greed for power rivals and equals that of Voldemort. she is horrid in a nastier way compared to Lucius Malfoy and she'll do everything and anything she can to gain that kind of power within the wizarding world. i'm certain JKR is penning in Book 7 though Harry and the Order are very mindful of Voldemort's next move -- it's Bella L who they should also be totally mindful of too and Bella's fate i cannot wait to read.

sidebar: i'm hoping Neville gets her good

I agree, it really should be Neville who brings her to justice (not sure Neville could kill). This would "complete the circle" on that part of the tale - and would probably mean that Neville's grandmother will finally give him all the credit he deserves. Now, if I could only persuade JKR to change her mind and allow Neville and Luna to get together ...

I don't think Neville will kill Bella, I think he'll do smething to tach her a lesson and then off to Azkaban with her. Maybe he'll spare her like HP and PP and she'll have a life debt.

Hello everyone,

This is a reminder to stay on topic, which is "Bella Deceived, I think I know why" and focuses on the fact that Bella was (or wasn't) deceived by her beloved Master. Don't analyse her character here, don't make any predicitons for the future, there are other forums for it like this one or this one or this one.

Thank you very much!

LL mod
You_won't_know_who

That is one of the things that I am looking forward to myself. How appropriate would it be to see Neville try out his nice new wand on dear Bella. Can't wait.