Not how I expected him to come to an end.

[longstrider.livejournal.com]

A random assassin took out Barty Crouch Jr.?!? (Highlight to read) Discussion in comments so we don't spoil it.

Comments

[longstrider.livejournal.com]

A random assassin?!? WTH Not in a duel with one of the Carrows, not a jealous husband and not one of our heroes? Grim.

Now I know I'm jumping to conclusions that it wasn't one of those things, but it's Barty I expected something much more epic for his end. Very nice to see them not afraid of killing off characters though. I can't wait to see what the fallout of this is. Looks to be a refresh filled night.

[sugarjet03.livejournal.com]

My first thought (after I got over the shock) is that this might not be what it appears, given that, in canon, Barty spent years of his life "dead" while be Imperiused by his father. I don't know exactly where they'll go with it, but I think this is going to be a major plot point of this year's play.

[spiffariffic.livejournal.com]

Especially since this year - Harry's fourth year, the Triwizard year - was the year that he escaped and began impersonating Mad-Eye. I thought it would be interesting if it was done the other way around here, with Moody capturing and impersonating Barty for a year, but given the assassination that's probably not what's happening... though I agree this may not be what it appears. But if it's not what it appears, I wonder what it is?

[sugarjet03.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Lucius says the coroner's ID was positive, so if someone is playing a game, they're playing a very good one.

[spiffariffic.livejournal.com]

I kind of skipped around reading the posts, so at first (probably because of Lana's entry) I thought it was Rodolphus that was killed.

Whatever Narcissa's relationship with Barty, I do feel for her right now.

[trogon.livejournal.com]

I thought the same thing at first, when it was just Lana's and Lucius's entries. I bet that's what they wanted us to think.

[gwendolyngrace.livejournal.com]

Seems like Lucius (http://alt-rabastan.dreamwidth.org/4223.html?thread=56703#cmt56703) is really worried for her, too.

Do you think he suspects them as well?

[sternel.livejournal.com]

I have to say, Raz & Rory's relationship (whatever it is) is a real delight, especially in among all the heaviness. I've really enjoyed watching it develop.

[zorb]

(The highlight to cover the spoiler doesn't work on dark backgrounds)

I thought it had to be a fakeout, but this thread seemed pretty conclusive: http://alt-bellatrix.dreamwidth.org/7996.html?thread=74044&style=mine#cmt74044

[fmsv.livejournal.com]

Unless both Bella and Narcissa are in on the fakeout.

Since Barty Jr. "died" in canon at about this time, and the oddities of there being no personal effects on the body, I'm not willing to write off a fakeout yet. Barty's mother supposedly jumping into the Thames without anybody seeing her do it makes me suspicious as well. (Of course, this may well be the Players messing with us, too.)

I think this will be an interesting year.

[longstrider.livejournal.com]

I'm inclined to think her suicide is genuine, given her recent behavior (http://alt-narcissa.dreamwidth.org/35902.html) or someone did her in due to her behavior & horrible reaction to Barty's death (though if that's the case I expect to see a hint or two in the near future)

The lack of personal effects (particularly wand) make me thing something hinky is going on or will go on later. Maybe someone will impersonate him later in the year and try to make everyone think that it was all a ruse, using his wand (and journal? we don't know where that is) as proof. Of course to pull that off they'd need a copious supply of polyjuice which we know is in short supply in the Protectorate if you aren't in the in crowd. Killing his mother would help with that, one less person who knew him well.

[zorb]

Yes, I've gone back to being suspicious, too. It's surprising that he would go so far as to deceive Bella, Lucius, etc., but maybe he crossed the sanity line, himself.

[fmsv.livejournal.com]

It looks like we didn't have to wait too long... (http://alt-rabastan.dreamwidth.org4223.html?thread=58239#cmt58239)

[longstrider.livejournal.com]

Ooooo things are going to get interesting.

[gwendolyngrace.livejournal.com]

And how! (http://alt-draco.dreamwidth.org/18972.html#comments)

[gwendolyngrace.livejournal.com]

Yes! I guess that gives the lie to the old comic book maxim "Unless there's a body...."

But your link is broken, fyi.

[fmsv.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that; the correct link is, of course, this (http://alt-rabastan.dreamwidth.org/4223.html?thread=58239#cmt58239). I'm not sure how that happened. (And LJ doesn't allow me to edit the original comment now.)

[longstrider.livejournal.com]

Ack sorry about that, I read this on the alt-fen/read page where it's a white background and forgot that some people read it in a different style, didn't want to bother with an LJ-cut for one name, though by this point it hardly matters.

[zorb]

No worries! It's not quite the same as "Snape kills Dumbledore." ;-)