The Dark Mark as Evidence

[jhlupin]

No: HPFGUIDX 60540

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Catlady (Rita Prince 
Winston)" <catlady at w...> wrote:

> That all suggests that Fudge and the Ministry insiders knew 
perfectly 
> well that Sirius was framed so it would be a waste to 
interrogate 
> him. Either that and they were all Death Eaters who believed 
Sirius 
> was guilty and were afraid he'd reveal them.

LH:

In GoF, Chapter <Padfoot Returns>, Sirius recounts Crouch Sr 
desire to be Minister of Magic, and relates that he was pretty 
much a shoe-in for the job until the tragedy of his son dying in 
Azkaban and the subsequent loss of his wife.  Crouch Jr started 
getting some <posthumous> sympathy and Fudge was made 
Minister.

Later, either Crouch!Moody!Crouch or LV explained that through 
Bertha Jorkins, LV became aware of his loyal follower (Crouch 
Jr.) being alive and free of at least Azkaban, if not his father.  My 
impression is that LV had been aware of Crouch Jr as a 
supporter, if not a death eater, before his near demise.

I hypothesize that Crouch Jr played his role of martyr to his 
father's overly aggressive anti-Dark Arts crusade perfectly.  He 
WAS at the time a very loyal, obviously powerful wizard who went 
to Azkaban to embarrass his father, derail his campaign for 
Minister, thereby allowing Fudge to have an open run to it.  He 
was willing to die in Azkaban, so much the worse for his father 
that way, and did not mount any resistance to the effect of the 
Dementors.  I doubt he ever expected his father to become 
JailBreak!Crouch and deliver his freedom.

Therefore Fudge is at least the puppet of the Death Eaters (as 
seems rather obvious) or is one himself (was there a spot in the 
circle for him?).  He is evil! and was placed into the leadership 
position in a conspiracy hatched by the LeStranges, Crouch Jr 
and the fourth for what the conspirators felt was the factual and 
forthcoming return of LV.  So far, things are going according to 
plan...

This brings up an interesting point.  Can you polyjuice the Dark 
Mark away?  Could it be obscured by scarring of the skin?  No 
examination was made of Crouch Jr's arm at any time in GoF.  I 
don't think the DM completely vanishes. That would seemingly 
go against LV's personality, and prior to his near demise, it 
wasn't exactly a secret as to who his supporters were. 

LH