Death Eater

In the fictional Harry Potter series, a Death Eater is a follower of Lord Voldemort.

Related Topics:
Harry Potter - Lord Voldemort

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Originally known as the Knights of Walpurgis, they took on the current name as Voldemort shed his facade of decency during his first attempt to overthrow the Ministry of Magic, the ruling body of Britain's wizarding populace, and assume power. The Death Eaters served as Voldemort's troops in the war and were his most trusted allies - insofar as he trusted anyone. Their myriad tasks involved doing battle against the Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix and conducting psychological warfare against those who opposed their lord by forging lethal attacks against their families. After joining, Death Eaters were required to exhibit loyalty and obedience until death. Failure to do so would likely result in punishment, including death.

Related Topics:
Knights of Walpurgis - Voldemort - Ministry of Magic - Order of the Phoenix - Psychological warfare

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All Death Eaters were branded with the Dark Mark on their left forearm. The Dark Mark, Voldemort's sign (a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth) was used to summon the Death Eaters - when Voldemort touched any of the signs, the others would all burn black, and the Death Eaters were expected to apparate next to their Master. The standard Death Eater attire was a black cape with a white skull mask.

Related Topics:
Dark Mark - Apparate

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After Voldemort's sudden seeming death at the height of his powers, the Death Eaters lost their ability to function effectively. The Ministry rounded them up and imprisoned them in Azkaban, with some managing to avoid this by claiming innocence, or that they had been bewitched or tricked, or had renounced the Dark Lord, et cetera; we see some of these cases via Dumbledore's Pensieve.

Related Topics:
Azkaban - Pensieve

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As Voldemort regained a full-strength corporeal existence at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he summoned his followers to him. Some of them have betrayed him and are too afraid to return to him, and others are dead or imprisoned, but many came and returned to his service as Voldemort began his second attempt to claim power.

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Word got out about Lord Voldemort's return, but the Ministry refused to believe it. Though Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore served as dissenting voices, the majority of the public chose to believe the official position. This gave the Death Eaters a great advantage, and for much of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the group kept a low profile in order to keep things that way. The Ministry's ignorance enabled the Death Eaters to recruit the Dementors to their cause and make similar overtures to the giants, as well as bolster their ranks by orchestrating a mass breakout of their surviving imprisoned members.

Related Topics:
Harry Potter - Albus Dumbledore - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Dementors

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An attempt to learn the entirety of a prophecy made about the connection between Potter and Voldemort - which had led to the latter's fall in the first place - was a failure thanks to the Order of the Phoenix, and eleven of the twelve Death Eaters present were captured or recaptured. Better yet, they blew their cover as the Ministry sighted Lord Voldemort himself and was forced to admit his return. With no reason left to only restrict themselves to covert operations, the Death Eaters are now expected to start another war to serve their master's twisted ends.

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Many of the sons and daughters of death eaters are still welcome at Hogwarts. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, these children are given extra disciplinary powers by Dolores Umbridge when she becomes headmistress. Known as the Inquisitorial Squad, these students used their powers to harass the other students, especially the children of members of the Order of the Phoenix, many of whom had joined Dumbledore's Army.

Related Topics:
Dolores Umbridge - Inquisitorial Squad - Dumbledore's Army

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