The Dark Mark as Evidence

[lhunneb]

No: HPFGUIDX 60527

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "fridwulfa" 
<rubeus_hagrid at w...> wrote:
> 
> > Jennie Wrote:
> 
> > I woke up with a start this morning, as this idea popped into my 
head.
> >
> > Now that everyone knows about the Dark Mark being used as a 
magical tattoo
> on
> > the Death Eaters, (after GoF) why can't the Ministry of Magic 
check Sirius
> Black
> > for the tattoo and clear him?
> >
> > Such evidence would not be dispositive (legalese for complete 
proof)
> evidence, as
> > the mark could potentially be removed, but it would be significant
> evidence in his
> > favor.  Especially since the common belief about Sirius is that 
he was
> Voldemort's
> > right hand and possible successor.  Surely the alleged deputy 
dark lord
> would
> > carry the mark?
> >
> > Interesting, although not unexpected, that Snape who also bears 
the mark
> never
> > mentioned this to Dumbledore.  Or if he had, even more curious 
that
> Dumbledore
> > has not suggested examining Black in this way.
> >
> > Of course, if I was Black on the run, I would not necessarily 
turn myself
> in to be
> > examined.  Far too likely that Fudge would have the Dementor's 
Kiss
> > administered before the mark could be verified, a la Crouch, Jr.
> >
> > some little musings, a poor substitute as I wait for OOP
> >
> 
> me (Izaskun):
> Well, you have a point. Another thing that has been bothering me 
for quite a
> long time is that Sirius talked to Fudge while in Azkaban. THat's 
when he
> got to see the picture of the Weasleys in the paper and recognized 
Peter. My
> question is: If the Minister talked to him, why didn't he try to 
explain the
> truth, or at least ask him permision to talk to Dumbledore? This 
would have
> helped. And other thing that surprises me is that everyone thought 
Sirius
> was Voldemort's right hand, but he was simply sent to Azkaban, no 
trial, no
> chance to explain himself and what's more strange, no interrogatory.
> Voldemort's right hand should know a great deal about the Death 
Eaters and
> V's plans, yet no one tried to get that kind of information from 
him.
> Weird, isn't it??
> 
> Cheers, Izaskun

Since Sirius had already been in Azkaban for so many years by the 
time he saw Fudge there the last time, I don't think he would have 
held out much hope that Fudge would listen to him.  Also, I think 
that Sirius half-way accepted his imprisonment up until the moment 
when he found out that Peter Pettigrew was at Hogwarts.  Remember in 
PoA how he said that he was responsible for the deaths of Harry's 
parents in a way, because he was the one who convinced James to make 
Peter the secret-keeper instead of himself.

Once he found out that Peter was alive and at Hogwarts, though, he 
worked double-quick to escape from Azkaban and help Harry.