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[alt_poppy]

Did you see the article in today's Prophet about the Hooper trial?

Sirius, you may have been right to suspect that it's all been a gruesomely overplayed theatre of cruelty to showcase the regime's power. And whatever else he may be, Auror Crouch seems to fall short as an actor. Shouting down his father's summation? Really.

In any other world than the carnival we live in, he'd have been hauled off to an asylum. Instead, I suppose he'll receive a commendation for eloquence and loyalty.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

It's been a hectic day here (new shipment arrived through Dover) so I've only just now had a chance to read the paper, while Bea's napping.

Did he really threaten to have his own father Kissed by Dementors, do you think?

[alt_poppy]

Such a model family.

[alt_sirius]

Yes. Always have been, that lot.

I've been thinking, though, what you said about Sr's life being a misery. And how Macnair thought it was he who sent him and Snape their own journals back.

Maybe Farty's not actually fooling? Ought to ask Dora, though as she says, it's not like she was around either of them all that often.

[alt_poppy]

Well, she did say that Mr Crouch and his son are antagonists.

And she said what I suppose we must have known at the time, though I confess I'd forgotten: Barty Crouch arranged his father's release after the Ministry fell only to keep him under virtual house arrest for years. Let him out to work, but in a place so reduced from his former status it must have been a bitter punishment.

Certainly this trial was a hopeless task.

Perhaps he was mounting a significant rebellion, presenting evidence they meant to have quashed. (The business about Malfoy's abusive treatment of the brother.)

If so, it really is a wonder Mr Crouch hasn't been arrested himself.