Dark Mark

[Gabriel Edson]

No: HPFGUIDX 30375

>From Snape's phrasing, I took the Dark Mark to mean three things:

>From Snape's phrasing, I took it to mean that it was a mark burned into their arm which distinguished them from other wizards. The benefits of having a mark that said you were definately a DE is not so apparent to me, however. Why would you want a tattoo that says "bad guy?"

However, it seems that Karkaroff's mark was hurting him, much like Harry's scar does when Voldemort is near. Perhaps it works rather like a shock collar. Obey V and everything is fine. Disobey, and you recieve pain - and the amount of pain could grow in relation to the duration or severity of your disobedience.

>>(Accio Death Eaters, Accio Wormtail). 

This gave me a laugh, thanks. I can just imagine someone saying "Accio Deatheaters!" Wouldn't they get some odd looks? LOL

>>A way for DEs to really KNOW someone else was with them. If LV 
wants to assign a few previously unacquainted DEs to an evil project, 
without having a big DE meeting, they can meet, but have tangible 
proof that this is someone that is loyal to LV.<<

The question I have is does the mark fade when LV is not paying attention to it, or did it only fade when he lost his powers? If the former, then yes, the marks are pretty useful, and won't give you away to other wizards because if LV isn't paying attention, the mark isn't visible. 

However, if it only appeared again because LV was returning to power, it's much more of a problem. Not only does it let other wizards identify you, but it could potentially reveal the identities of other DEs to you - which you could confess under torture.

I wonder if LV trained his people to "resist" the Cruciatus Curse so that they would not break under torture?

>>LV may know Snape is disloyal 
(from his comments to the returning DEs in GoF), but the others 
don't. They may not even know who Snape is, if they weren't 
introduced the first time around. But what better way spy than to 
approach other DEs, without LV's knowledge? Especially since 
Dumbledore's crew had a good idea who the DEs were, since they put 
many on trial or in Azkaban.<<

I took LVs knowledge of Snape's betrayal to be a recent thing. I think that Snape was with the DEs as a "double agent" WHILE LV was still alive. Therefore, it wouldn't do any good to know the names of the DEs put on trial after LV was gone. After all, why do they need a double agent after the leader is gone and all the followers are claiming to have been bewitched?

>>Does the mark's spell FORCE the DEs to appear, or is it still CHOICE? 
Snape may be making a potion that overrides that spell, and he may 
have provided it to Karkaroff, too. But then what about Moody/Crouch, 
JR. Maybe he was given special dispensation as he was a little busy.<<

I believe (my opinion mostly) that it gives them the CHOICE to return and lets them know that LV wants them. Karkaroff seemed to be in pain - although maybe I was reading more into his panic than was there. If that is true, then Snape and Karkaroff will continue to be in pain until they return to LV, or until he decides to leave them alone (which will probably be never.) My belief is also that the pain will increase until they are incapeable of doing anything, or until they go mad. That would be a good way to guarantee obedience - again, like a shock collar.

>>What would attract a young wizard who has a vague idea 
of what LV is capable of?<<

1. Parental influence. I think it's safe to say that Malfoy is in support of the DEs and will follow his parent's lead. I don't think that makes him a "bad" person, that makes him a child with powerful and influential parents. I know lots of people who continue to attend a church they don't believe in because of parental influence. And once you're in and Marked, you're stuck.

2. Power. Isn't that always what seduces people to the "dark side?" If LV can show that he is powerful enough to take over again and actually reward his followers with power/pleasure/fun/knowledge/etc then I can see a lot of people flocking to him. 

3. Exactly that reason: he is forbidden, frightening, and capeable of so much. He frightened their parents. He kills whomever he likes. And their parents would be shocked. Those reasons alone are enough to arounse the curiosity of most teens, especially angry ones. 

4. The "Wormtail Reasoning." He'll kill you if you're not on his side; better be on it!

Gabriel
Pack House Quidditch Team Keeper
"Twitchy little ferret, aren't you Malfoy?"





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