[HPforGrownups] Three Missing Death Eaters (WAS: don't know if this has been discussed...)

[Trond Michelsen]

No: HPFGUIDX 52897

On Wed, Feb 26, 2003 at 12:07:18AM -0000, Tom Wall <thomasmwall at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Well, because IMO it is WAY too obvious and easy to make connections 
> here. We've got three dead, and three who should be there but aren't. 
> The clear connections that the author wants us to make here for the 
> absent live ones are, IMO:
> 
> The coward = Karkaroff
> The traitor = Snape
> The faithful one = Crouch, Jr.

I agree that there is a misdirection here. At first, I thought it was
just meant to have the reader doubt Snape yet again. Even though
Dumbledore had just told Harry how he trusts him. 

Now, when we get to the end of the book, it's obvious that Voldemort is
talking about Crouch jr. as the faithful servant, so logically, the only
possible misdirections are a Snape/Karkaroff switch, or that he's
talking about one or two other wizards.

I actually doubt both alternatives, I think Voldemort knows very well
that Snape betrayed him, and I think many Death Eaters at least suspects
it. Which means that I think Voldemort did mean the 'obvious' here.

However! It's only obvious to the readers. The death eaters do not know
that Crouch jr. is alive. They will never, ever think of Barty jr as an
option. So, the only (let's hope) former Death Eater they know of at
Hogwarts is... Snape. And unless someone tells Voldy, he doesn't know
that Barty's been exposed either. So, as long as Mad Eye Moody stays at
Hogwarts, Voldemort will think everything is still OK.

This leaves an opening for Snape to do some dangerous undercover work.
Snape could approach some Death Eaters, e.g. Lucius Malfoy, and claim
that he is indeed the faithful servant Voldemort was talking about. He
could also use PJP to meet Voldemort as Barty jr. once in a while (but
since Barty jr. never met Voldy after going to Hogwarts, he may never
have to).

This could work if Voldemort (or Wormtail) never tells his Death Eaters
that Barty jr. was the insider, and as long as the Death Eaters don't
tell Voldemort that they've had contact with Snape.

-- 
Trond Michelsen