Death Eaters and the Dark Mark

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 29317

> Catherine wrote:
> 
> > Hmmm.  I think it was visible all the time.  Part of the danger 
associated
> > with being a DE.
> 
Andrea wrote:

> I second that. Remember how terrified Karkaroff was when he showed 
the Mark to 
> Snape? Obviously it's not something that can be hidden and revealed 
by the will 
> of the bearer, instead it links directly to Voldemort and gets more 
visible the 
> more he regains his power.
> I'm sure Karkaroff would have made the Mark invisible, if he'd had 
any choice 
> to do so. To me it seems the Mark is something similar to a 
branding mark, 
> something the DE's receive when they join Voldemorts ranks, to 
always remind 
> them that they are now his forever...

I don't think Karkarov's concern about the mark was that it was 
becoming visible.  His concern, as I read it, is that Voldemort is 
getting stronger, which is not good news for a DE who ratted out his 
fellow DEs.

Having the Dark Mark be visible to anyone who glances at a DE's 
forearm creates all sorts of problems.  Why doesn't MoM just strip 
search DEs rather than bothering with trials?  That would take care 
of questions about Bagman and Crouch Jr.'s innocence.  Dumbledore's 
team knows there's a spy in their camp, and Snape is a former DE who 
would certainly tell Dumbledore about the Dark Mark, so why doesn't 
Dumbledore just round up MWPP and check their arms?  Indeed, as we 
know Moody's eye can see through clothing, he could also instantly 
tell you who is or is not a dark wizard, particularly when Voldemort 
was at the height of his power and the mark was at its strongest.  
Also, Hagrid tells us that Voldemort's reign was marked with 
mistrust.  There would be no reason for mistrust if you could 
identify the enemy with a glance at his forearm.  Wouldn't Sirius 
have a shot at clearing his name due to the absence of the Dark Mark?

Actually, I think an idea that makes a lot of sense is that only the 
DE can see his or her own Dark Mark.  But that idea is inconsistent 
with canon, as Snape shows his mark to Fudge, and Karkarov shows his 
mark to Snape.  So that leaves me with the idea that the DE has some 
control over the circumstances under which his mark is visible.

It is an interesting question, though, no matter where we all come 
out on it.

Cindy