Fans of Alternity

Meanwhile, I am fascinated by Dolohov's presence and his long-standing role as one of the top "trainers" in the Dark Arts (excuse, please, Noble Arts), and how that changes the dynamics among the Death Eaters with respect to the Dark Lord.

For example, the latest exchange with Barty. First off, oh, Barty, you were in a total "I'm such a FUCKUP" drunk mode last night, weren't you? Come here and let me pinch your cheeks, you adorkable homicidal maniac, you.

But second, one of Barty Crouch, Jr.'s defining characteristics from canon is that he was so estranged from his father that he found in Voldemort's situation a kinship, a point of commonality. It's almost as if he sought from Voldemort himself the kind of pride that (we perceive) Barty, Sr., never showed him during his formative time.

The introduction of Dolohov as that mentoring, proud, and even affectionate parent-figure deepens the ranks that we have thus far seen among Death Eaters even as it introduces someone who serves as a hierarchical layer between Voldemort and his Chosen - and thus, also serves as a potential rival for V's power and glorification.

It stands to reason that V didn't necessarily bother teaching all these dark spells to his minions. I mean, it's up to them to learn that stuff and acquire their own power - that's what he had to do, after all! But what's interesting here is that we are told that Tom Riddle was excessively dynamic and was completely capable of at least feigning affection, of gaining supporters and endearing himself to the people he needed. We've been given hints in Alternity that that was so, and it is a large part of how he succeeded in his total takeover even before he'd made himself practically invincible.

And yet, here is a person whom he clearly trusted to groom his major Inner Circle lieutenants and who clearly has a very close and personal relationship with several of Voldemort's top players. It's interesting to me the ways in which those relationships both reinforce and simultaneously threaten Voldemort's supremacy in all their eyes.

Anyone else find this really really cool?