Healer Strout, Death Eaters and St. Mungo's

That place is very suspect. What kind of dimwits allow Devil's Snare into patient's rooms? or let people in closed wards wander around? I am surprised that Mr. Weasley and McGonagall made it out of that place.

I bet Lucius is paying the healers to keep the Longbottoms incapaciated. Maybe now that he is in jail they will get better.

I think you're right. And if you remember in GoF, the Malfoys got their Cup tickets because Luicius made a VERY generous donation to St. Mungo's.

Also, the whole thing with the fountain & the coin donations to St. Mungo's.... seems a bit if-y.

harry gave money to the enemy LOL

I think they mean well but are a bit incompetent.

They are hardly going to be run by death eaters or owt, not now anyway.

There are some threads in th Great Hall about the St. Mungo's money, and if Lucius Malfoy is paying St. Mungo's to keep the Longbottoms insane. *Misses the Great Hall*

....Anyway, I don't think that they may be corrupted, at least until there's some really good evidence to it, but...they just seem a tad...unintelligent, that's all. The lady was just treating them like they were idiots, not patients, if you ask me. But, then of course, I wouldn't really know, since I don't do that for a living...oh well. If the plant was expertly disgused, then I guess they saw nothing wrong with it, and decided to give it to him.

Remember most of the wizarding world didn't believe Voldemort was back, so I highly doubt that they would do a Mad-Eye and start checking everything, even if they didn't know the reason why he was sick in the first place. Maybe not corrupted, but just easily manipulated....? :shrug:

Remember, though, Mr. Weasley was in there too, and he got out fine, though there was the whole thing with Muggle stitches... That was different...

I think Lucius did have some amount of control over certain things that went on in there, though, with his money...

The healer was only talking babyish with Lockhart because it was what he liked. Don't forget the ward she's in, she's dealing with spell damage, likely to reduce the maturity of the mind!

Look at the portrait of Dilys, the healer and one of Hogwarts most popular headmistresses, she had a portrait up so she could keep an eye on what was going on, if the Malfoys did try to keep they Longbottoms insane, I'm sure she'd hear about it and report back to Dumbledore who would no doubt deal with it.

You need 5 Outstanding Newts to be a healer, they can't be bad!

The Healer on the closed ward seemed kind and attentive to her patients. Yes, unfortunately for Bode, she did not recognize the Devil's Snare, but then neither did Harry and the gang, and they had some first hand experience with it in the past. I don't think the staff at St. Mungo's was expecting killer plants to be sent to any of the patients.

And it would have been disguised very well.

Originally posted by FizzingWhizbee (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=400001#post400001))
I think you're right. And if you remember in GoF, the Malfoys got their Cup tickets because Luicius made a VERY generous donation to St. Mungo's.

Also, the whole thing with the fountain & the coin donations to St. Mungo's.... seems a bit if-y.


The fountain was at The Ministry!

The fountain was at the ministry, but it said that all donations went to St. Mungo's ^_^

Yes, they do. But the actual fountain is at the Ministry of Magic.

Both of those alleged instances of incompetency occurred on Christmas day -- probably one of the busiest days at St Mungo's. That poor healer must have been delivering presents to a lot of patients and that's how Lockhart managed to sneak out of his ward.

Realistically, who, in their right mind, would suspect that a normal-looking pot-plant was Devil's Snare? The healer might have thought that the pot-plant was unusual looking, but the prospect that it was Devil's Snare might not have occurred to her.

Either that or she didn't excel at Herbology. ;)

You'd think good Herbology grades would be a prerequisite for becoming a healer, what with all the plants used in home remedies and poisions.

Then again, Devil's Snare is apparently a first-year lesson. She could have forgotten.

I agree with rotsiepots, it was Christmas, and all of the staff at St. Mungo's were incredibly busy delivering gifts, giving treats, and talking to family members and did not think about what exactly they were giving.

The Devil's Snare incident seems like something that has rarely or never happend before at the hospital, so they probably never thought that a gift could have evil intent. They are still under the pretense that Voldemort is gone, so what threat (to the staff and their patients) could there be? Hopefully St.Mungo's will go all Mad Eye Moody and learn from this mistake.

Yeah, the fountain was at the Ministry... even more suspicious.

And , I personally don't think the Healers are bad, they could be totally oblivious to the 'politics' of the hospital.

Anyone else think it's odd that a plant that's destroyed by sunlight was ok at all on a brightly lit ward?

errr... did I just notice an inconsistency?

artifical light isn't the same as sunlight.

Okay, okay...maybe I am being a bit too hard on the healers. However, I do think that some group maybe within the MoM is pulling strings at St. Mungo's and getting paid for it by Lucius.

I think that at least the Janus Thicky ward of that hospital is an evil place :evil: . Here is why:

1. Janus Thicky was mentioned in Fanstastic Beasts as a man who claimed to be killed by a Leithfold and was shacked up with the landlady at the pub. Sneaky guy sneaky wasr.

2. In the career advice chapter, healers have to have an E in the Herbology OWL, Yet Healer Stout did not recognize Devil's Snare which is a first year plant in Herbology :eyebrows:

3. the Longbottoms are on her ward, all of the Death Eaters want them kept quiet. Bode was another one that they would want quiet, also on the Janus Thicky ward under Stout's care. Lockhart could also be a threat, who knows what else he was into or saw.

4. She had no comment about Bode's death and ws suspensed will full pay.

I think that Mlafoy is either:

1. Controlling her using the Imperius curse or paying off someone at Saint Mungo's to control her.

That's a reallly good theory! Either that, or she's a D.E. herself, or...she's taking Polyjuice pretending to be Healer Stout and is a D.E. in disguise. Who knows..but good theory though!!!! :clap:

It does seem remotely plausible that the Death Eaters would plant one of their own in the Longbottom's ward. It's entirely possible that they have been trying more subtle interrogation methods over the years to see if there was any information that could be wrested from their broken minds. There was still the mystery of what happened to Voldemort, and the only lead they had was that Voldemort was after Harry and Neville.

And for that matter, it explains why Bode was put in that ward even though technically he was recovering slowly but steadily. Lucius Malfoy pulled some strings so that Bode's condition was deemed serious enough to put him into the long term ward.

I think Lockheart is an actual case for the long term ward. His memory was blasted away two and a half years before and he was still looking pretty fried mentally. The whole Chamber of Secrets incident was more or less a failure and the Death Eaters wouldn't have any concern about him one way or another.

How this could be uncovered is an interesting question. Neville only goes there once a year, and hopefully none of the others will have any reason to go there. At least we hope they don't. On the other hand if Neville leaves his favorite plant with them as a gift, who knows what might happen if anyone tries to do anything bad to Neville's parents in its presence.

that's a great theory! i think the DE's do have bode as their little spy person. making sure the longbottoms don't know anything or reveal it.
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proud daniel radcliffe and H/H shipper! =]

Wow, that is a really good theory! There is no way JK would mention the same name twice in seperate places with out it having any value. But if Bode was the DE's spy, under the imperious cours I am thinking, then why did they kill him? Unless he was starting to fight it.

Very good theory, and a lot of good evidence... if not directly implicating Healer Stout, certainly showing an indication of Lucius Malfoy's influence.

I don't know about the imperius curse, though. It seems that the plan would go more simply if Malfoy were simply putting a lot of pressure on certain people to allow certain things to go unmentioned. I think political influence can be just as effective as imperius, completely legal, and nearly impossible to prove.

Good theory, gred&forge4ever (http://www.cosforums.com/member.php?u=1718). :)

I'm going to merge your thread with a similar thread you started a little while ago called Nitwits at St Mungo's (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=11890).

1. Janus Thicky was mentioned in Fanstastic Beasts as a man who claimed to be killed by a Leithfold and was shacked up with the landlady at the pub.
The Longbottoms are on her ward, all of the Death Eaters want them kept quiet. Bode was another one that they would want quiet, also on the Janus Thicky ward under Stout's care. She had no comment about Bode's death and ws suspensed will full pay.

great call, I think the gum wrappers were a plea for help. However not all of mungos is evil, remember they have now treated muggles.
The question is how Lucius' donation has been used - new ward, special restraining equipment, better security? :no:

Wow Hermione's mom!! I never thought or the gum wrpppers as a cry for help! Maybe Neville should examine them more closely.

I think the fact that Lucius Malfoy is donating money to St. Mungo's is a definite sign that some things are going down there. You know, for all we know Lockhart could be the spy...he always was in it for what was best for him. He could be very easily swayed to the side of Voldemort, and we don't really have solid proof that he's not already better. Who knows.

I doubt Lockhart's the spy. Judging by his behavior at the end of Chamber of Secrets, he wasn't just pretending. I mean, that was before Voldemort had returned, so he wouldn't have had any cause to pretend and would have taken all credit for rescuing Ginny. Also, Lockhart was pretty convincingly addled at St. Mungo's. Especially the fact that he nearly recognized Harry, and then slipped right into another state of mind. The Longbottom's really aren't in good condition; I doubt the Death Eaters really consider them a problem any more. Even Dumbledore said that in their condition, they can't be of much help (or damage.) My theory is that the Devil's Snare really was disguised as a Flitterbloom, and the tentacles that Harry saw were disguised as whatever is supposed to "flitter". Also, Healer Stout didn't refuse to comment; she was unavailable for comment because she had been suspended on full pay. This is probably to alleviate charges against St. Mungos that would have sprung up, possibly by Skeeter-like reporters.
In any case, I seriously doubt any of the Death Eaters could pretend to have a motherly affection of all these patients like Stout did when they themselves are filled with contempt of anyone except pure-blooded witches and wizards. However, we do know that Lucius Malfoy donated money to gain favors, so it is possible that he sent the plant, being so trusted within the hospital.

But he sent it anonymously. Though I doubt the Longbottoms are being prevented from getting better, I do think that the DEs are keeping an eye on them just in case they show anything suspcious.

I know, it's far fetched that Lockhart is the spy...I'm just trying to think of some way to bring him in more...cause i remember reading in some JKR interview not to count Lockhart out completley (sorry, don't remember where), and it just seems kind of anticlimatic that the St. Mungo's scene would be what she was refering to. Him being the spy is just the only thing I can think of as of now. Maybe he got better and Lucius Malfoy got to him...after Draco telling him all about his personality. Maybe

Hi!

We had been talking about Lockhart, St. Mungos and evil killer healers in another thread. Since we were straying off topic a little, and as it appears you guys were discussing that here long before I came along, I thought I'd join ya. :D What follows is a reply to some things at that other thread located at:http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?p=934729#post934729

Fuchsia: I’ll bet you have the answer! I think it was during the day when the plant was brought in! Good job! Woo-Hoo! :clap:

And yeah, I’d guess that as soon as Alice or Frank showed signs of recovery, they would be eliminated immediately. Their information could bring down entire family houses.

Furryfreakferret: You are correct. Madam Stout did tell the kids that Gilderoy might have slipped out while she was passing out presents. She had left the door unlocked.

However: Who locked it? She had to use the Alohomorra spell to unlock the door to the ward before she could let Gilderoy back in. So if she had absent mindedly left the door unlocked while running back and forth the get the presents, and if Gilderoy slipped out during her (brief?) absence, then who relocked the door prior to their return? Not Gilderoy. He can barely write his name and he doesn’t have a wand.

I had written a longer scenario about what may have happened. But my post is already too long and I’m afraid of getting pelted with rocks and garbage. :elaugh: The bottom line I think is that the door was locked upon their return. No patient could have locked it. No other healer is seen. The only person that could have locked or unlocked the door to the ward is Madam Stout. She says she may have left it unlocked. Is she lying?

Another thing. We are told that Lockhart is getting better. It is implied by his various reactions to Harry’s line of questioning that he is slipping into a lucid state. Its as if he is trying desperately to remember. He says that he can now sign his name in joined together letters. When the kids first see Gilderoy, he was peeking through a small window in the door on the landing. The kids were coming up the stairs when they saw him. He then pushes through and goes into his “Famous Celebrity Routine”. Madam Stout tells us that he occasionally slips away.

I think his famous Celebrity Routine is (at this point) a defense mechanism. He’s trying to get away from St. Mungos but keeps getting caught. Now, is Gilderoy trying to leave simply because he misses his home? Or is there another reason? What does Gilderoy know? Anything? It will be interesting to find out. I think Jo Rowling mentioned that we might see Gilderoy later in the series, but she was suspiciously mum about him.

Healer Stout refused to comment and was suspended....
For some reason this reminds me of Sturgis Podmore....
OotP American Ed....Pg 287
Sturgis Podmore, 38, of number two, Laburnum Gardens, Clapham, has appeared in front of the Wizengamot charged with trespass and attempted robbery at the Ministry of Magic on 31st August. Podmore was arrested by Ministry of Magic watch-wizard Eric Munch, who found him attempting to force his way through a top-security door at one o'clock in the morning. Podmore, who refused to speak in his own defense, was convicted on both charges and sentenced to six months in Azkaban.
(note: bold type is mine)
So it seems like old Sturgis Podmore isn't the only one in the story who is up to something but won't tell what it is. We know that Podmore works for the OotP, and we know that he was put under the imperius curse while he was "on duty". We can also figure that he didn't want to compromise the Order's work and that's why he refused to talk.
So Healer Stout refuses to talk....well here's my theory...Since a first year can identify Devil's Snare, then a fully trained Healer should be able to recognize it as well, so there is something more here than meets the eye. My guess is that she is responsible for the plant being on the ward, and that she is responsible for the condition of Alice and Frank Longbottom (please read the Neville, Voldemort, and ALOT of gum thread for that theory). Stout could be a death eater, and is "unavailable for comment" because she is off reporting to Voldemort that Bode is indeed dead. I'm thinking that she won't comment because it would compromise the work of the Death Eaters. She's almost the flip side of Sturgis Podmore, she's like the evil equivalant or something.

So Healer Stout refuses to talk....well here's my theory...Since a first year can identify Devil's Snare, then a fully trained Healer should be able to recognize it as well, so there is something more here than meets the eye. My guess is that she is responsible for the plant being on the ward, and that she is responsible for the condition of Alice and Frank Longbottom (please read the Neville, Voldemort, and ALOT of gum thread for that theory). Stout could be a death eater, and is "unavailable for comment" because she is off reporting to Voldemort that Bode is indeed dead. I'm thinking that she won't comment because it would compromise the work of the Death Eaters. She's almost the flip side of Sturgis Podmore, she's like the evil equivalant or something.
I forgot about Sturgis Podmore. Never did quite figure that one out. I guess I'll have to do a bit of detective work to see what I can scare up on the old boy.

I'm of two minds regarding Healer Stout. Just because she was acting all motherly doesn't mean she truly has a good heart. It makes me think 'Nurse Kratchet" (One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest). And if I'm not mistaken...she definately is the one who brought in the potted plant. OTOH, Hermione, Ron and Harry didn't recognize it as being Devil's Snare. In fact, it might not have been Devils Snare that Healer Stout brought in. Is it possible that someone replaced the potted plant with Devil's Snare?

But then again, I just don't have enough facts. Another thing, Gilderoy appears to be a nice guy (annoying, but nice). But he's shown that he truly isn't. when the kids ran into him on the landing, rather than trying to get away, was Gilderoy up to no good? For now I'm still holding onto the theory he was trying to escape. But I'm not 100% sure. :shrug:

Gee....we need Hercule Poirot for all this.

If your mind has been scrambled by a memory charm or you have just gone insane, can you be placed under the imperious curse and follow the orders given??

I guess that goes to where the acutal problem in the brain is. Is the problem in the brain itself or is in the pathways the brain uses to communicate to the different areas of the body. I know this may be a fine line, but it could be a difference in who could and couldn't be acting under the imperious curse. I could also mean that the Longbottom's brain is fine, but the communication paths are all screwed up so they can't do much. Lockhart on the other hand has had his memory erased, but the pathways allow him to do normal things, so I would think the imperious curse would work quite well on him.

Is it possible that Mrs Longbottom's brain is fine, she just can't communicate in any method other than gum wrappers? Could DD gain information by using Legilemancy (sp?) on them? Would be rather cool if there was some type of communication being done with the gum wrappers.

Anyone else think it's odd that a plant that's destroyed by sunlight was ok at all on a brightly lit ward?

errr... did I just notice an inconsistency?


I'm not 100% sure but isn't it only killed by sunlight in the movie? In the book it was fire that kills the Devil's Snare.

Well, they don't like the light, and they don't like heat. Sunlight supplies both, so it's safe to assume that. My theory is that someone placed a charm of sorts onto the plant, causing it to think it was in a cold, dark, damp place, when it actually wasn't. There's also a point that this was in the middle of winter.

The fact that this plant wasn't noticed by a healer irks me. Aren't healers supposed to take herbology? Isn't everyone? Therefore shouldn't everyone be able to understand what a devils snare looks like? Unless there's a conspiracy... who's sure?

The Devil's Snare could have simply been an error. Harry, Ron and Hermione all failed to notice it too and they were less than pleased afterwards. It could be that Stout was merely distracted and overlooked the plant, especially since it was so small. I'm not really convinced by this, but it could be the truth. If there is some sort of conspiracy, I doubt Stout is an important part of it. If she was, I'd expect that somebody else could have been found to take the blame for Bode's death. If St Mungo's and especially the long-term injuries ward is so important, I wouldn't have sacrificed Stout even temporarily, and I suspect she would be suspended for a quite long time during which period she would not be doing her previous job. The only reason to sacrifice her would be if Bode's death was even more important than whatever she was doing.

I had thought that the plant was charmed to look like something else, or transfigured. I did not think that a healer would miss Devil's Snare even if it was in plant form.

Well, they don't like the light, and they don't like heat. Sunlight supplies both, so it's safe to assume that. My theory is that someone placed a charm of sorts onto the plant, causing it to think it was in a cold, dark, damp place, when it actually wasn't. There's also a point that this was in the middle of winter.

The fact that this plant wasn't noticed by a healer irks me. Aren't healers supposed to take herbology? Isn't everyone? Therefore shouldn't everyone be able to understand what a devils snare looks like? Unless there's a conspiracy... who's sure?

In addition to this what bothers me is that she

a) encouraged Bode to care for the plant himself according to the article in the Prophet. This would ensure that he was the only one who touched it.

b) is in charge of the entire ward (also according to the Prophet). Anyone else think she could be preventing the Longbottoms from getting better?

In addition to this what bothers me is that she

a) encouraged Bode to care for the plant himself according to the article in the Prophet. This would ensure that he was the only one who touched it.

b) is in charge of the entire ward (also according to the Prophet). Anyone else think she could be preventing the Longbottoms from getting better?

I have to agree that there is something fishy with Healer Stout. But I have to wonder if there is anyone else that works on the ward. It would seem odd that long term care patients would have only one caretaker. I would think that she would need a break every once in a while. So who else works on the ward?
And we have to remember that at the time that the article about Bode's death was published, the Prophet wasn't exactly a trust-worthy newspaper. This begs the question: Was Healer Stout just the fall guy for someone else? Was there someone else involved?

Isn't her name Strout, not Stout? I'm confused, because it's definitely Strout in my book, but everyone here seems to be calling her Stout ... :huh:

Maybe people are just calling her that because of an error in the thread title ... ? I hope so, and it's not me just going barmy!

but if the Longbottoms had a significant role wouldn't Dumbeldore or someone keep an eye on them while they were in the hospital. I would make a background search of the caretaker.

I have to agree that there is something fishy with Healer Stout. But I have to wonder if there is anyone else that works on the ward. It would seem odd that long term care patients would have only one caretaker. I would think that she would need a break every once in a while. So who else works on the ward?
And we have to remember that at the time that the article about Bode's death was published, the Prophet wasn't exactly a trust-worthy newspaper. This begs the question: Was Healer Stout just the fall guy for someone else? Was there someone else involved?

I think if there is a conspiracy, Strout has to be either a complete innocent or a lowly part of the conspiracy. If she was a high up part, surely somebody else would be better suited to take the fall for the death of Bode. Killing him in the way he was killed makes no sense unless his death was more important than whatever her role in the conspiracy is, since she was immediately suspended and I would suspect she will be sacked as a result, especially given the report in the Daily Prophet (which I would expect to be quite accurate since it did not concern Harry, Dumbledore, Voldemort or the Ministry). Who would want to be treated by or to have their loved ones looked after by somebody who can't even recognise a dangerous plant when she sees one? Since I expect she's now useless to the conspiracy, at least for a short time, Strout was either uninvolved or an expendable and easily replaced part of it, or Bode's death was absolutely crucial to the conspirators and they had no time to arrange for a suitable fall guy.

Isn't her name Strout, not Stout? I'm confused, because it's definitely Strout in my book, but everyone here seems to be calling her Stout ... :huh:

Maybe people are just calling her that because of an error in the thread title ... ? I hope so, and it's not me just going barmy!

I think this may be a Brit thing. I'm pretty sure my book says Stout. But it's not here and I've been wrong before. . .

firefighting muggle, I agree whole heartedly about the Prophet. I just thought it was really strange that she encouraged him to look after it himself. Seems like one of those tid-bits JKR likes to plant for us :D

Isn't her name Strout, not Stout? I'm confused, because it's definitely Strout in my book, but everyone here seems to be calling her Stout ... :huh:

Maybe people are just calling her that because of an error in the thread title ... ? I hope so, and it's not me just going barmy!It says Healer Strout in my book as well (Am. Edition).

I found this at the Harry Potter Lexion online.
Flitterbloom
This plant apparently superficially resembles Devil's Snare in appearance, but is non-violent; St. Mungo's healer Miriam Strout mistook the Devil's Snare that killed Broderick Bode for a Flitterbloom (OP22, OP25).

I agree that Dumbledore would have a good reason to keep an eye on the Longbottoms. Perhaps this is why they have survived for so long? Maybe someone is keeping an eye on them? Is it possible that Dumbledore, knowing that the Longbottoms need medical attention in a hospital, might also be keeping a close eye on them to see if anyone tips their hand? I don’t know.

I think an important question is who else works in the ward? If Strout was the only one, then is it likely that someone slipped into the ward when she was missing? Strout did say that occasionally she left the door unlocked, but do we believe her?

It says Healer Strout in my book as well (Am. Edition).
Hurray! I'm not just going mad then! If it's in the Scholastic book as well as my Bloomsbury one, then it must certainly be Strout :) .

I think perhaps somebody should correct the thread title, then, so that people stop getting confused about her name.

Oh look, some wonderful, amazing person changed the title. :D

Anyway, my sister is a hardworking (and underpaid) nurse and it's quite common for nurses to have the same patients in their rounds. So, while other people might work on the Janus Thickey ward, it's possible that only Miriam Strout cared for the Longbottoms, Lockhart and the now deceased Bode.

Besides, the Janus Thickey ward doesn't seem to have too many patients. It's possible that they cope with only one or two Healers (if the magical health system is anything like the Muggle system, it's probably running at minimum capacity in relation to Healers). Healer Strout was also suspended in OotP, so presumably someone was there to take over her duties while her mistake was investigated.

I agree that there is something very suspect about St. Mungos. For all the praise it gets, there seems to be something very dark and sinister there. I find it highly probably that Lucius Malfoy is behind the Longbottoms inability to get better and the fact that he supports the hospital make me even more suspicious that he is behind that.

Gang, I've been reading some things that make me question whether the Longbottoms are truly incapacitated or not. Someone in another thread mentioned an incident where the students were able to bewitch a story in the Qubbler so that only they could read it. If the Longbottoms are faking their affliction, could they be doing the same with pieces of gum wrappers? Might this be a way of sending Neville messages? (I've no evidence that the Longbottoms are sane btw).

I still can't get past Lockharts reactions when the kids found him. He appeared to be trying to leave the ward. Harry bumped into him and Lockhart went into his celebrity routine. Soon, however, the smile faded from his face and he appeared to be trying to remember Harry. As soon as the healer showed up, he immediately goes back into the Celebrity routine. Also, we must remember that the healer had to unlock the door to the ward...a door from which Lockhart had apparent passed through without the aid of a wand or magic. Is any of this really a coincidence?

Another thing of interest to me. Who are the patients in that ward?
The Longbottoms:
Lockhart:
Broderick Bode ( killed by Devil's Snare after showing improvement).
A sallow-skinned mournful-looking wizard that mumbled to himself:
And Agnes, a woman who's entire head was covered in fur (a disguise?).

2 Agneses are mentioned in the Harry Potter Lexicon. One is the Agnes at the hospital. The other is Agnes Granitebiter, who was once Minister of Magic, and sets up a commission to oversee the development of brooms that can be safely ridden by all witches and wizards and bans the enchantment of Muggle brooms and carpets entirely. Especially carpets. I can find no date on when she served.

Did we ever find out where Healer Smethwyk disappeared to?
Who is Gladys Gudgeon? Why does she write Lockhart weekly? Her son Davy was a student who once tried to get past the Whomping Willow, nearly losing an eye (PA).

Nobody knows what happened to healer Smethwyk, as I remember she(?) was sent home, and was 'unavailable for comment'. However, I doubt that she was involved in Bode's murder, though she should have recognised the Devil's Snare.
As far a Gladys Gudgeon is concerned, I don't think she exists, but is an alter-ego for someone else. Davey Gudgeon is also mentioned and I don't think the surnames are a coincidence.

Did we ever find out where Healer Smethwyk disappeared to?

Why do you assume Smethwyck disappeared? So far as I can remember there is no mention of him disappearing, just that the healer who is his apprentice is the one who tried giving Arthur stitches. I've never thought he disappeared, just that he allowed his apprentice to try giving Arthur stitches because nothing else had worked so far and (I assume) Pye is more familiar with Muggle medicine than Smethwyck is. I don't see anything the slightest bit suspicious about Smethwyck, Pye or Arthur's treatment.

Along with what Hermione's Mum said, here's a quote off of Mugglenet, which I think has spurned most of the threads about incompetency or bribes, etc. involved with St. Mungo's:

Drooble's Best Blowing Gum is an anagram of Gold bribe below St. Mungos

Very interesting...in book 5, Neville's Mum gives him a gum wrapper. Is she passing on an important message?

I agree with gredandforge forever... there is most definitely something rotten in the state of St. Mungo's!

Why do you assume Smethwyck disappeared? So far as I can remember there is no mention of him disappearing, just that the healer who is his apprentice is the one who tried giving Arthur stitches. I've never thought he disappeared, just that he allowed his apprentice to try giving Arthur stitches because nothing else had worked so far and (I assume) Pye is more familiar with Muggle medicine than Smethwyck is. I don't see anything the slightest bit suspicious about Smethwyck, Pye or Arthur's treatment.Well...because he did disappear. Arthur would not have been asking for him if he knew wher eSmethwyk was. In ch. 23 OotP we learn that Smethwyk, who was Arthur Weasley's healer was not there and Arthur had been expecting him and was looking for him. The conversation between Arthur and Molly indicate that since Smethwyk wasnt around, that Pye took over and tried a different treatment...a controversial treatment which most healers probably wouldnt have approved....which didnt work. In fact his treatment was so bad that Arthur was having trouble trying to stop the bleeding. We have a couple of statements in the books indicating that wizards don't think much of muggle methods of healing. I think it was Ron who scoffed at the idea of letting muggle physicians cut on a person. And Molly Weasley went nuts in the hospital room when she learned Arthur had undergone a similiar treatment. This new treatment was not supposed to be done and Arthur's bandages were changed before they were supposed to.

At some point after the Weasleys' visit, Smethwyk returns and they finally get Arthur fixed up and send him home. and I'm not the only person who wonders where Smethwyk was. If he'd been given time off...Arthur almost certainly would have known. He would not have asked Molly Weasley (of all people) where Smethwyk was. Smethwyk's disappearance was unusual.

I still don't see it as much evidence of a disappearance. Smethwyck wasn't with Arthur when the Weasleys came back at Christmas, but Arthur doesn't seem to have been too worried to me. There's no particular reason I can see that a patient wouldn't ask his visitors if they know where the healer is. And for all we know Smethwyck could have come in while Arthur was discussing his treatment with Molly. Finally I can't see Pye trying stitches without the authorisation of somebody else, presumably Smethwyck or somebody higher up. Smethwyck does not seem suspicous to me.

I think some people are reading way too much into Strout's unavailability for comment to the paper. That is absolutely standard practice in cases of possible incompetence.

Check any newspaper.

It also sounds to me as if Smethwyck was only about his normal duties - Arthur gave me the impression that he was trying to avoid him rather than find him. He didn't want Smethwyck to stop his Muggle treatment.

As for Lockhart getting out and Strout having to unlock the door - I always interpreted that as meaning she left it unlocked when she went in while delivering presents, during which Gilderoy slipped out, and then locked it when she left. Which explains why she had to unlock it when going back in.

I do think there may be some negative influence ayt St Mungo's since we've never seen tthe Cruciatus curse damage anyone else permanently and Lucius' donation is definitely suspicious, but I don't think any of the things people have mentioned so far are reasonable clues towards that.

Remember, these Healers/Nurses at St. Mungo's aren't trained in the art of Herbology and are probably far from being experts on strange foreign plantlife. If you were to show me three different plants and ask me to name them, 9 out of 10 times I would not be able to. They're focused on healing their patients in a competent manner, and not on plant gifts.

Letting the dangerous plant go in was an honest mistake.

Actually, healers are trained in Herbology. When Harry, Ron and Hermione were considering careers, Ron says that healers have to get at least an E at NEWT level in Potions, Herbology, Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Healers seem to be almost as much the elite as Aurors are. Strout should, given her E or O in NEWT Herbology, have been able to recognise Devil's Snare. Now, I'll accept she may just have made a mistake due to distraction, but it's certainly suspicious.

But when you are tending to a patient or multiple patients, are you going to focus your energy on trying to find out what kind of plant that gift was?

Besides, Strout could be old. If you were trained in Herbology once, 70 years ago, aer you likely to remember specific properties of plants?

I'm quite willing to accept it was a mistake on Strout's part. However old she is, she could simply have been distracted and simply didn't notice (the official version of events). Still, to me the newspaper report seems to me to suggest that she should have recognised the plant. But even if there is a major conspiracy at St Mungo's, I am convinced Strout was at most a minor conspirator and more likely an innocent pawn.

i don't think they would keep someone incapacitated for money; i think that st. mungo's is just like any hospital, has it's problems, lots of them. they're not perfect.

As for Lockhart getting out and Strout having to unlock the door - I always interpreted that as meaning she left it unlocked when she went in while delivering presents, during which Gilderoy slipped out, and then locked it when she left. Which explains why she had to unlock it when going back in.I sort of got the impression from reading the chapter that the room with her patients was sort of arranged as a long bay, with beds lining the walls. One could easily see all the beds at a glance from any point in the room.

If that were true, then Strout would have easily known if Lockhart or anyone else had slipped away. If she happened to leave the door unlocked and he slipped out, then when she returned she should have known. Would she want Lockhart wandering around? She acted as he'd slipped away.

However, 3 weird things happened. (1)Lockhart is out of the room and sort of appeared to be heading downstairs when the kids found him. (2) Strout comes out of another room from down the hall and says she must have left the door unlocked (by accident?). And (3) Strout had to cast the Alohomora spell to unlock the door (the door she says she had left unlocked).

Now, did she leave the door unlocked or not? Who could have relocked it if not her? (JKR never implied that there were any other healeers on that ward, so we cannot assume there was). At the same time, Arthur is looking for Healer Smethwyk. Where was he? JKR never told us that he was not supposed to be there, but implied (through Arthur) that he was supposed to be at work. We should assume he was supposed to be there because we have no reason to assume otherwise. So where was he?

Could Gilderoy have unlocked the door? Could another patient? Is there a chance that someone in that ward is not as sick as they seem? If this were true, what might this mean? Who were the other patients?

Though this is sheer speculation at this point, i'm wondering if Smethwyk might be an animorph (like Tonks). If so, what if he was in the ward with the Longbottoms, Lockhart and....Bode!

;)

Great cathc to everyone about the Devil's Snare and light. I just thought of that when I decided to click on this thread and reread it.

I also like the door stuff. I was assuming that since it was a secure ward that the doors stayed locked and only a Healer could unlock them, and that afterwards, the door would automatically re-lock on its own.

Does anyone else fiind it odd that on a "secure" ward, the only prtection around the door is "Alohamora"? I mean yeah, Hermione is a brain and all, but that is a first year spell. Imagine the free access that DEs have to that place if Alohamora is the only protection.

Does anyone else fiind it odd that on a "secure" ward, the only prtection around the door is "Alohamora"? I mean yeah, Hermione is a brain and all, but that is a first year spell. Imagine the free access that DEs have to that place if Alohamora is the only protection.Thats true, it is a first year spell. but is there any other sort of locking spell they could use? Maybe a guardian type of spell? I'm not sure, but maybe they dont think the patients can cast any spells on that ward. Or perhaps someone in that hospital wants to keep it simple to get in and out of all those doors. :)

The patients don't have wands- and, in my opinion, there was no reason for hospital staff to suspect danger, and thus provide extra security on the ward- Healer Strout even says the locked door is more to keep the patients in (becuase they are danger to themselves), rather than to keep visitors out. So why would they have extra protection than Alohamora?

The patients don't have wands- and, in my opinion, there was no reason for hospital staff to suspect danger, and thus provide extra security on the ward- Healer Strout even says the locked door is more to keep the patients in (becuase they are danger to themselves), rather than to keep visitors out. So why would they have extra protection than Alohamora?


No, but we don't know that visitors don't have wands. Harry and company did not have to surrender their wands at St. Mungo's like Harry did at the Ministry. It seems that it would be quite easy for Lucius to wander around and control peoole with the Imperius curse. Also the healers obviusly have wands and if any of them are on the take from Lucius, it is rather easy to get into the secure ward that is only protected by "Alohamora". Besides, I don't trust Helaer Strout or anything she says.

This thread seems to run very close at times with the "Neville, Voldemort and a Lot of Gum" thread particularly when we begin discussing the people on the ward with Alice and Frank Longbottom. Currently the focus seems to be shifting slightly to the idea that someone might be visiting the Longbottoms and leaving gum wrappers all over the place. Some of us think that because we find it unusual that staff members would give mental patients gum to chew.

Since this thread has come to a screaching halt, I hope to generate a little discussion by posing the following question:

Is it possible for someone to slip into the closed wards where the Longbottoms are being kept?

It would seem so because someone or something managed to strangle Broderick Bode. Could this "person of interest" have been visiting the ward for some time and could this person have also been leaving the gum wrappers for the Longbottoms to find? :huh:

He did give money to St. Mungos and probably is trying to keep the longbottoms there, if they got better they would be a threat

He did give money to St. Mungos and probably is trying to keep the longbottoms there, if they got better they would be a threat
Who is trying to keep them there? :huh:

Sorry, Dr. Hesper, I just finished reading through the thread and other than suggesting that Squibonline may have meant Lucius.....I had some other things to say not related to your questions a few posts back (up?).

Hippocrates Smethwyck could have been absent from the ward because he was in a "laboratory" researching/experimenting with possible antidotes for the venom in Arthur's wounds. We know he succeeded in finding a cure, there must have been procedures that led to his discovery of it.

The locked door of the Janus Thickey ward: I agree that Lockhart may have been trying to escape his confinement. His mental level does seem to be quite child-like (he is so proud of being able to produce cursive writing). Well, magical children can produce magic without control when they get emotional. There may be a chance that Lockhart unlocked the door without a wand (think of Harry unlocking the cupboard under the stairs after he "blew up" Marge, maybe with a little less power from Lockhart, though). I'm not sure how it got re-locked, though. Maybe his magic worked like the safety bars on Muggle doors--push the bar to get out, door automatically locks upon full closure. (No, I don't think the door in the ward looks like that type of Muggle door...just works on a similar principle from the inside of the ward.)

Definition of strout: v. i. 1. To swell; to puff out; to project.
v. t. 1. To cause to project or swell out; to enlarge affectedly; to strut.

Don't know if the definition really helps, but....

Its possible that Smethwyk was in a lab doing exactly as you suggest. We just dont have enough information about this. I just found it a bit odd. :)

I read a quote by JKR tonight that I want to repost here:
JKR: "Peeves isn't a ghost; he was never a living person. He is an indestructible spirit of chaos, and solid enough to unscrew chandeliers, throw walking sticks and, yes, chew gum."

I have mentioned elsewhere that I cannot recall seeing anyone other than Peeves chew gum. While more people obviously do, JKR has not made a point of showing them doing so. She has made a point of connecting Peeves to gum.

While gum is being discussed in another thread, what I wanted to focus on here for the time being is Alice Longbottom's odd habit of giving gum wrappers to Neville. Now in that other thread, many of us questioned where she was getting gum, since it seemed odd (and perhaps dangerous) that anyone would give gum to a mental patient. Furthermore, we've not actually seen Alice or anyone else in the ward chewing gum. We've not seen it in wastebins, nor have we seen the blue bubbles that last for days (a propduct of blowing bubbles from Drooble's Best Blowing gum). So really we have no reason to believe that Alice is chewing this gum.

But she has the wrappers. Why?

I had wondered if perhaps someone visiting the ward had a habit of chewing this gum. I also wondered if perhaps this person of interest was a murderer. I should point out to anyone reading that I am not suggesting (yet) that Peeves is a murderer. However, Peeves certainly seems to get around and is bound by no rules that i know of. I wonder if maybe he might go the St. Mungos for some reason and maybe he knows something. Or perhaps Alice, knowing Peeves' penchant for chewing gum, is trying to tell Neville to contact him. Maybe Peeves either knows who the murderer might be....or perhaps he has information about the Longbottoms and would tell if anyone bothtered to ask him.

Another point to consider, is that a couple of days before Bode's death, the first time the gang visits Arthur in the hospital, there is a very old man with a hearing trumpet who says that he is there to see Broderick Bode. The nurse replies that he's wasting his time as Bode is completely addled. And yet Strout insists that he was getting loads better and that's why she suggest he take care of his own 'flitterbloom' himself. So who is the old guy? And what does he have to do with it? And who was lying about Bode's recovery, the Welcome Witch or Strout?

Another point to consider, is that a couple of days before Bode's death, the first time the gang visits Arthur in the hospital, there is a very old man with a hearing trumpet who says that he is there to see Broderick Bode. The nurse replies that he's wasting his time as Bode is completely addled. And yet Strout insists that he was getting loads better and that's why she suggest he take care of his own 'flitterbloom' himself. So who is the old guy? And what does he have to do with it? And who was lying about Bode's recovery, the Welcome Witch or Strout?

I seem to recall a long time ago that people thought the wheezy old man was Peter Pettigrew in disguise. However, since they don't mention him carrying a plant, I'm not sure whether I can believe that or not.

At this point, I'd guess it was Strout who was lying (or else just completely incompetent) - though you could also say, the welcome witch was rude and unsympathetic to people and obviously working at the front desk not on the wards, so perhaps she shouldn't be taken seriously anyway.

Also, that's a very good call to whoever pointed out there were no bluebell bubbles hanging around... however, it could be that Neville's mum just saves all the wrappers and then gives them to Neville when he visits.

I've been curious about that old guy with the hearing trumpet for a long time. Is it coincidence that he was asking for Bode shortly before Bode's death? Is it also coincidence that Peter Pettigrew just happens to mention to Lord Voldemort how adept he is at disguise? What suspicious people should we be looking for throughout the books that might possibly have been Pettigrew in disguise?

I was just rereading the end of GOF and I noticed that Nott is described as stooped (in the scene in the graveyard). So, he could be another suspect for bringing the plant to Bode.

Going back to the thing about who gave Bode the plant, remember, it also came with a hippogriff calendar. Which DE do we know of who is associated with hippogriffs? Macnair, the executioner who was supposed to kill Buckbeak....Hagrid says he and Madame Maxime saw him when they were trying to get the giants to join Dumbledore's side. So, what if the calendar is a subtle hint from JK? Everyone's been really focused on the plant, but I noticed that no one mentioned the calendar.
Oh, and correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Healer Strout looking after the devil's snare for a while? If so, then why wasn't she strangled when she touched it? Unless there was some spell on it to make sure that it would harm only Bode?

The connection between the MoM fountain (all proceeds go to St. Mungo's) and the hospital itself is intriguing. Does Fudge permit lax security at the hospital, and use it as a place to keep his political/ideological opponents out of his way?

Going back to the thing about who gave Bode the plant, remember, it also came with a hippogriff calendar. Which DE do we know of who is associated with hippogriffs? Macnair, the executioner who was supposed to kill Buckbeak....Hagrid says he and Madame Maxime saw him when they were trying to get the giants to join Dumbledore's side. So, what if the calendar is a subtle hint from JK? Everyone's been really focused on the plant, but I noticed that no one mentioned the calendar.
Oh, and correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Healer Strout looking after the devil's snare for a while? If so, then why wasn't she strangled when she touched it? Unless there was some spell on it to make sure that it would harm only Bode?You know.... this is a really good point! I had either forgotten about the calendar or simply missed it completely. Good eye! :) I really dont know what to say about it and will have to mull over the possibilities.

Healer Strout should be able to recognize Devil's Snare and know how to care for it. So should Hermione, who was there when the plant was brought in. But for whatever reason no one seems to have noticed it as being dangerous, which leads me to believe that either the plant must have been disguised in some fashion (perhaps magically?) or Bode was really killed in some other manner and it was made to look like it was done by Devil's Snare.

I should mention that another connected with Devil's Snare is Professor Sprout (who placed Devil's Snare in the path of people trying to get to the Philosopher's Stone). :eyebrows:

Gee, it would be nice to hear from Healer Strout wouldnt it? But she was sent away right after the incident. How convenient! Perhaps we'll hear more from her later.

:)

Healer Strout should be able to recognize Devil's Snare and know how to care for it. So should Hermione, who was there when the plant was brought in. But for whatever reason no one seems to have noticed it as being dangerous, which leads me to believe that either the plant must have been disguised in some fashion (perhaps magically?) or Bode was really killed in some other manner and it was made to look like it was done by Devil's Snare.
Yes, the fact that no-one realized it was Devil's Snare for so long seems odd. If an [ admittedly bright ] 11 year old can recognize and counter it in a matter of seconds, surely a roomful of fully grown wizards and especially a trained healer would be able to spot the killer plant growing on the counterpane for several weeks :huh:

I have a question about the name of the Janus Thickey ward.

The first thing I remembered about Janus is that Janus is two-faced. All the emphasis in the following quotes are mine, because I thought they were interesting:
Janus is the Roman god of gates and doors (ianua), beginnings and endings, and hence represented with a double-faced head, each looking in opposite directions. He was worshipped at the beginning of the harvest time, planting, marriage, birth, and other types of beginnings, especially the beginnings of important events in a person's life. Janus also represents the transition between primitive life and civilization, between the countryside and the city, peace and war, and the growing-up of young people.
(from http://www.pantheon.org/articles/j/janus.html?esc )
Janus is also a moon around Saturn, I think.

I also founs this quote about Janus, a numen, or spirit and minor god who was really important to the ancient Roman people:
Janus kept the gate of Heaven, so he became the god of doors and gates.
He was very important, because a house is only as strong as its doors.

His temple in Rome had its doors thrown open in times of War, and closed in times of Peace. They were usually open! The Emperor Augustus closed the doors of the temple, since he brought peace to the Roman Empire.

Janus had two faces, one looking forwards and one looking back, since a door can let you in, or let you out. The first month of the year is named after him. In January, we look back at the last year, and forward to the next.
(from http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/roman/janus.htm )

Jo is so particular about names, that I think that the choice of this name is significant. I remembered reading a short story called Janus by Ann Beattie, and what we were told in class that was significant about Janus was that he has two faces. My first thought (that is, before I verified it with research) was that Janus meant two-faced, and Thickey meant, well, idiot. But that's probably not the kind of persona you'd want to name a hospital ward after, is it?

Knowing what I do now about Janus being the god of doors and beginnings & endings, raises all kinds of questions about the various doors that show up in OotP. All the doors in the DoM for one, but also it makes me ask questions about the door of Healer Strout's wing, that locks, unlocks, whatever. I confess to not knowing exactly where I'm going with this. I just found it interesting that so many of you hit on that weird little issue about the door, and then to realize that the ward is named after Janus. Also, what might Jo be trying to say about the residents of that ward?

i think it was a pretty honest mistake. it was most prolly disguised, and the healers never thought any better since it was gift-giving season and all.

I just found it interesting that so many of you hit on that weird little issue about the door, and then to realize that the ward is named after Janus. Also, what might Jo be trying to say about the residents of that ward?I was thinking about the name "Janus" just the other day. (Once again I'm re-reading book 5 during these days leading up to the release of book 6). I dont know as much about Janus as many of you, but, like others here, the 1st thing I thought of was "two-faced" as well. 'Two faced' suggests a sort of 'deception' to me, as if things arent entirely as they seem. So while the door thing really might be an oversight on JKR's part, chances are that it isnt! The door thing is really odd and I dont have a good answer for it. But a ward being named for a person called "Janus" does seem sinister.

:)

I am currently in the process of rereading Order of the Phoenix, and I noticed that in the scene with Lockhart at St. Mungo's, Healer Strout makes it sound as though he has left the hospital wing before:
'He's in a closed ward, you know, he must have slipped out while I was bringing in the Christmas presents, the door's usually kept locked...not that he's dangerous! But,' she lowered her voice to a whisper, 'he's a bit of a danger to himself, bless him...doesn't know who he is, you see, wanders off, and can't remember how to get back."
If this is true, which I think it is, then why has Lockhart escaped so many times? Is it because he knows something isn't quite right with the hospital, and is trying to leave (possible), or is it because the healer is letting him out on purpose (i'd say this is more probable.) In fact, if Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had not run into Lockhart, I'm betting that Healer Strout would have just let him run off...remember, they were talking to Lockhart for at least a few minutes before she came to get him.

You could be right, it would explain why Frank and Alice have been in there for so long, and with such little improvement. But if you are right about Malfoy, then I don't think they will get better because it is only a matter of time before he gets out of askaban. But it is still a good theory none the less.

Wow, that is a really good theory! There is no way JK would mention the same name twice in seperate places with out it having any value. But if Bode was the DE's spy, under the imperious cours I am thinking, then why did they kill him? Unless he was starting to fight it.

I thought that Bode was killed because he was starting to recover and could tell people what had happened to him - i.e. Voldemort is alive? Voldemort had tried to use him to pick up the prophecy because he was an Unspeakable with access to the Department of Mysteries. Voldemort didn't find out until later that Bode couldn't pick it up - which is why he was fighting the imperious curse so hard.

Yes, Bode was killed, because he was starting to come to his senses.

I think the whole deal is VERY fishy. I especially like the 'Janus' thing with the doors and two faced. I think that this was intentional

Something is definetley up with Malfoy and Mungos. I think that he very well could be paying the hospital to keep the Longbottoms incapacitated, because I think that if they come to their senses they could reveal some good information.

Also, one of my favorite anagrams: Drooble's best blowing gum = Gold Bribe below St. Mungos, is something to keep in mind. Althought it doesn't transfer in all languages, like the I am Lord Voldemort one.

The Devil's Snare was horrible -- you'd think if a First Year at Hogwarts could identify it, the healers at St. Mungo's would have been able too, also. It seems like this might be a good reason to have a talented young magical botanist working at the hospital (aka Neville :tu: ). Seems like they specialize in identifying and treating magical-everything-else at St. Mungo's, so why not have a plant specialist as well?

Thats true, it is a first year spell. but is there any other sort of locking spell they could use? Maybe a guardian type of spell? I'm not sure, but maybe they dont think the patients can cast any spells on that ward. Or perhaps someone in that hospital wants to keep it simple to get in and out of all those doors. :)I know this is an old post, but Hogwarts has enchantments all around it so people cannot penetrate the boundaries. Surely something like a secure hospital ward would have the same kinds of enchantments.

The thought of Lucius paying off the hospital wouldn't surprise me a whole lot. He has friends in low places everywhere.

I know this is an old post, but Hogwarts has enchantments all around it so people cannot penetrate the boundaries. Surely something like a secure hospital ward would have the same kinds of enchantments.

The thought of Lucius paying off the hospital wouldn't surprise me a whole lot. He has friends in low places everywhere.Woo...this is an old post! I cant even remember what we were talking about. :rotfl:

But i will mention this. There are ways around the enchantments you are talking about. Ways that I'd never considered.

Boy book 6 was a shocker!

:eyebrows:

Yes, Bode was killed, because he was starting to come to his senses.

I think the whole deal is VERY fishy. I especially like the 'Janus' thing with the doors and two faced. I think that this was intentional

Something is definetley up with Malfoy and Mungos. I think that he very well could be paying the hospital to keep the Longbottoms incapacitated, because I think that if they come to their senses they could reveal some good information.

Also, one of my favorite anagrams: Drooble's best blowing gum = Gold Bribe below St. Mungos, is something to keep in mind. Althought it doesn't transfer in all languages, like the I am Lord Voldemort one.
I don't think Frank and Alice Longbottom really need to be kept *incapacitated* for want of a better word. They were tortured into insanity, while Bode thought he was a teapot because he touched the prophecy.

I don't think Frank and Alice Longbottom really need to be kept *incapacitated* for want of a better word. They were tortured into insanity, while Bode thought he was a teapot because he touched the prophecy.
Obviously, I posted this before JK had her Mugglenet/Leaky interview, where she basically shot down any ideas that the Longbottoms were really sane. Bode was there because of his encounters in the Hall of Prophecy. He was starting to come to his senses, the imperius curse was wearing off, and he was starting to remember what had happened: how he had been forced into going to try and retrieve the prophecy for Voldemort.

That was pretty important imformation, and he was probably very close to reliving the experience to someone, and a undercover DE (Malfoy?) found out. Obviously they had to kill him, because they can't have all that info going around.

I.C.U in St Mungo's!