I understand about Lucius. I sort of see a before Azkaban Lucius and after Azkaban Lucius. Somehow I think the deprivation and all that time to think would change a man like him. Especially since Lord V didn't bother to come save him like he'd expect. I think that he changed did show in Book 7, as much as I hate that book otherwise... his priority was his family. I can't see him acting that way prior to a) Azkaban and b) the DL occupying his manor and treating him like a large blond house elf. : )
The funnest thing about fandom is that we can vary the characters and their intents so much - as long as you explain why and how that person got there. I've read stories where I hate Harry and stories where I actually liked Ron... (usually it is reverse) It depends so much on the author's explanation for why they are acting that way. Of course sometimes they don't bother and I just stop reading...
Then there are those irritatingly talented people who can set a scene, personality and background of story in a less than 100 word drabble. I still don't get how they do that. Clare