Harry Potter Experts ?

[DisneyMomOK]

I asked this on one of the GOF posts, but got no response and I would really like to know: How did Barty Crouch Jr. fool DD and all the other Wizards that he was Mad Eye Moody? In other words, since they could read minds, how did he keep them from reading his (BCJ's) mind and knowing he was not MEM? I have re-read the book looking for any reference to any special charms he might have performed and looked at the websites to see if anyone had any statements from JKR on this, but, so far, nothing. I love these books (even though I am way too old, per my DS), but wish there was a good reason BCJ could get away with his disception for such a long time.

Thanks.

Sharon

 

[Nickunited]

It was the polyjuice potion! Isnt it difficult to see through?

 

[monarchsfan16]

Polyjuice potion. Transforms the body of the drinker into the body of another wizard. In this case, Barty Crouch Jr, into Mad Eye Moody.

 

[Deb in IA]

In other words, since they could read minds, how did he keep them from reading his (BCJ's) mind and knowing he was not MEM?

I'm not sure that wizards, even a great wizard like Dumbledore, can read each other's minds. If that were so, there wouldn't be a need for Veritas serum.

Where did you get that?

 

[NMAmy]

Yep, polyjuice potion. Remember in one of the earlier books when Ron and Harry became Crabbe and Goyle and Hermione became a cat? I think it was The Chamber of Secrets.

That's why Snape thought Harry was stealing from his closet--Crouch Jr/Madeye Moody was stealing the ingredients.

 

[diznygirl]

Wizards can't read minds. Harry only thinks Dumbledore can read his!

 

[ladycollector]

Um...how many of you who are saying that wizards can't read minds have actually read through book 6? I don't want to ruin anything but....

ETA: I think the reason no one tried to 'read his mind' was because they didn't have a reason. Alastor Moody is/was an Auror. They didn't have any reason to suspect him.

 

[Deb in IA]

Um...how many of you who are saying that wizards can't read minds have actually read through book 6?

Yes, I have.

 

[ladycollector]

Yes, I have.

Occlumency?

 

[diskids2]

Um...how many of you who are saying that wizards can't read minds have actually read through book 6? I don't want to ruin anything but....

I can second that.......................I think this is a very good question. Maybe there was no reason to suspect such a thing and since they really didn't suspect until the very end (even dumbledore), then maybe no one tried to read his mind.

 

[stinkerbelle]

right - occlemency (or is that closing the mind?)
I think a wizard has to actually CONCENTRATE on reading another wizards mind...but that other wizard might be able to shut their mind down. Maybe Barty Jr/Mad Eye was doing this?

or the teachers never thought that Mad Eye was someone else?

 

[tw1nsmom]

You don't even have to go as far as book 6. In book 5 they go into detail (in fact it's a main theme) about reading other peoples minds. I'm horrible with spelling and don't have access to my books, but it's called legimens and occlumency. Legimency is where a more accomplished wizard can read your thoughts/emotions. However, those same accomplished wizards would also most likely be proficient at occlumency (the ability to block others from reading your thoughts/emotions). Along those lines, I guess we're forced to make the assumption that Barty Crouch Jr. was good at occlumency and that is why he was able to fool the others into believing he was Mad Eye Moody. I also got the impression that it was a focused effort to practice leimency on someone. If nobody suspected him of being a fraud they wouldn't have reason to try to read BCJ'S mind.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

I know the Polyjuice Potion let BCJ take on the physical attributes of MEM, but it was still BCJ (just as Harry and Ron were themselves when they took on the personas of Crabbe and Goyle), but Snape and DD are referred to as skilled in reading what is being thought by others. If you have read book 6, you (like Ladycollecter) will see what I am confused about.

Sharon

 

[DisneyMomOK]

Just read Tw1nsmom response and it makes the most sense. Maybe that is why it took his Dad to figure it out. Thanks for the insight. It just seemed that if MEM and DD were such great friends, something would have screamed, "FRAUD" to DD, just as it did to BCS.

Sharon

 

[puffkin]

I don't think that they are supposed to practice reading minds unless there is an actual need. Since there was no reason to suspect Moody, I doubt they would have needed to read his mind. Plus, BCJ may have been skilled at blocking this, since it appears many dark wizards used these skills. Also, I wonder if the Polyjuice potion may have made it more difficult?

I agree, books 5 and 6 spell out how it works.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Polyjuice potion and he learn the how moody acted by watching him.