Chapter Discussion: Twenty one, Goblet of Fire: The House -elf liberation front

[ciaran_naraic]

No: HPFGUIDX 192354


> luirhys:
> > On another note, we all know Karkaroff couldn't be the one who placed
> > Harry's
> > name in the goblet, so who were your initial suspects? Did you ever
> > suspect
> > !fake Moody?
>
> Dave:
> No, I would have, like Harry, said, "It CAN'T be him!"  I really had
> absolutely no idea, though I was certain that both Karkaroff and Bagman
> were red herrings.
>

I knew that there was something weird with Moody. The unforgivable earlier in the book and his general demeanour had me convinced that Moody was going to have a Psychotic break. He was massively paranoid and showed other symptoms. The psychotic break would happen at the worst possible moment and create chaos.

As to the real infiltrator to be honest I was thinking Pettigrew using his Animagus abilities.

> luirhys:
> > Rita Skeeter is again seen on the grounds of Hogwarts, Harry says she
> > isn't
> > allowed, but yet nobody throws her out. We learn at the end that she
> > is able to
> > pop in and out because of her ability as an animagus, does this mean the
> > barriers of Hogwarts can be duped simply by changing into an animal?
> > Can an
> > animagus deatheater get inside Hogwarts?
>
> Dave:
> In theory, yes, but I imagine it would have to be a very small animal to
> evade detection, and it's not like a Death Eater would get to choose his
> animal form.
>

Sirius managed to get into the grounds for a year and was spotted by Harry in the forbidden forest (talking to crookshanks). No reason a death eater couldn't do the same. Sneak into the forest in animal form and storm the castle under the cover of darkness much like Sirius on two occasions.

> Dave:
> If nothing else, House-Elves should have the right to leave if they have
> oppressive or abusive masters like the Malfoys.
>

Have to agree with that, their culture seems to have a need to serve, perhaps they have a symbiotic relationship with wizards and that wizards emit some form of magical energy which House Elves use. Whatever it is Elves need to serve but they should protections.

> luirhys:
> > Winky says "Bagman is a bad wizard", I can't remember, but was it ever
> > revealed
> > why she said so? I remember he was seen in the company of suspected
> > deatheaters,
> > but as far as I know, he isn't one. Could it possibly be because of
> > his penchant
> > for gambling?
>
> Dave:
> As with Kreacher, I think Winky often just echoes what she hears her
> master say, and I don't think Crouch was ever persuaded that Bagman was
> only an innocent bystander.
>

A mix of a couple of things. First he gave information to death eaters during the first war. The fact that the death eater was a highly placed ministry official (Rookwood) made no difference to Crouch. As far as Crouch was concerned Bagman was a informer.

The second thing was that Crouch seemed to have an animosity with Bagman at his trial, did Crouch not say 'Merlin help the ministry if you join our ranks'.

Bagman's gambling habit eventually sent him on the run when he was unable to pay. Could Bagman have also done a runner on magical Casinos abroad causing international incidents that Crouch had to clear up.

Finally Bagman didn't seem like the most competent department head. Crouch complaining about departmental issues at home could be enough for Winky to pick up and given her fanatical level of loyalty that might be enough to make Bagman a 'bad wizard'.

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