Talentless DEs (WAS Harry and the riddle of Riddle/Apparate or Die Trying)

[cindysphynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 39623

Grey Wolf wrote:

> Lately I've noticed that we have been picking on several of the 
>DEs over their lack of power - Wormtail especially - but there is 
>something that we must take in mind. Even if some of the DEs may 
>look useless, we know that they can all apparate and most of them 
>(if not all) can cast the unforgivable curses, which take a good 
>deal of energy and skill, if we can trust Crouch!Moody (which I 
believe we can). 

<snip>
 
> And now, for a possible explanation which I'm not sure I believe: 
>could Voldemort have GIVEN them powers, like on loan, in exchange 
>for their helps? That would explain why people with the 
>constitutions of stones (Crabbe and Goyle) and nearly as 
>intelligent, can cast those difficult spells.

I have rather mixed feelings about the power of the DEs.  On the one 
hand, DEs include characters like Crabbe Sr. and Goyle, Sr., who are 
supposed to be dim like their sons.  The DEs can't hit Harry in the 
graveyard.  And they let themselves in for all manner of abuse at 
the hands of their sadistic master.

But then again, as Grey Wolf points out, they seem to be able to 
perform these unforgivable curses, and they seem to be able to 
apparate on command.  The idea that DEs get a power loan from 
Voldemort makes some sense, it really does.  But if that were true, 
Peter really wouldn't need to frame Sirius and then spend 12 years 
as a rat.  Peter could use his enhanced powers to blast Sirius in 
the street.  When the authorities arrive, Peter could just say that 
he was merely defending himself against the completely and utterly 
mad Sirius Black.

No, I think Sirius would have won that duel, and Peter knew it.  

I'm also not sure about this consensus that apparating is evidence 
of great skill.  We know that you need a license to apparate, which 
you apparently can't get if you're underage.  Mr. Weasley 
says, "It's not easy, Apparition, and when it's not done properly it 
can lead to nasty complications."  Like splinching.

But then again, is there a single adult character in the entire 
wizarding world who we know for a fact cannot apparate?  Every adult 
character discussed in connection with apparating knows how to do 
it.  Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Bagman, Crouch, and 
every DE.

It sounds to me like apparating is akin to driving.  You can't do it 
until you're an adult (or close, anyway), there's a lot to doing it 
correctly and safely, the consequences of mistakes are dire, the 
government wants to discourage mistakes so that they don't have to 
spend time scraping people off the pavement and so that bystanders 
don't get hurt, and you need a license.  

Now, how difficult to perform are the unforgivable curses?  Well, AK 
requires a "powerful bit of magic behind it."  But Moody implies 
that it can be taught:  "I'm not here to teach you how to do it."  
As for Cruciatus and Imperius, we really don't know.  But I'd 
imagine that one reason the unforgivable curses land a wizard in 
Azkaban for life is because all wizards can do them or learn them -- 
so there is a stiff punishment to deter their use.

Cindy