Changes: Snatchers

Revision as of 04:39, 14 September 2015

"They're everywhere — gangs trying to earn gold by rounding up Muggle-borns and blood traitors, there's a reward from the Ministry for everyone captured... Some of them are supposed to be as bad as Death Eaters."

— Ronald Weasley on Snatchers^[src]

Snatchers were members of an organisation of bounty hunters formed by Lord Voldemort when he seized control of the Ministry of Magic in the summer of 1997.

It appeared to be a relatively informal organisation with the main purpose of rounding up or arresting Muggle-borns and "blood traitors" (when, at the time, simply being one made one an outlaw). However, they also responded when the Taboo curse was triggered by someone using the Dark Lord's name. At least some of them based themselves in a Snatcher Camp in the Forest of Dean.

History

Two Snatchers — A pair of typical Snatchers

When Ron Weasley temporarily abandoned the Horcrux hunt with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, he was cornered by five Snatchers, who hoped that he was a Muggle-born so they could turn him in to the Ministry of Magic for a reward. However, he told them that he was Stan Shunpike. While they were arguing about whether or not he was lying (Ron suggested that they were not all that intelligent, and thought that one of them even had a trace of Troll blood), Ron managed to seize two Snatcher's wands and then escape.

Around Easter of 1998, Fenrir Greyback's group of Snatchers tracked down a group of wizards and goblins that included Dean Thomas and Griphook, whom they captured. It is likely that they were responsible for the deaths of Dean and Griphook's other travelling companions, Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, and Gornuk.

Bloatedface — Harry Potter being captured by a group of Snatchers

Soon after, the same group discovered Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, after Harry accidentally triggered the Taboo on Voldemort's name. Harry claimed that he was "Vernon Dudley', a Slytherin student and son of a Ministry official. Ron claimed to be Stan Shunpike again, but was not believed, and then said he was "Barny Weasley". Hermione said she was Penelope Clearwater and a half-blood. Their story may have been believed, but Hermione's picture was spotted in the Daily Prophet, which declared her to be "the Mudblood who is known to be travelling with Harry Potter".

Greyback then decided to bring the group to Malfoy Manor, where he seemed particularly eager to bite Hermione Granger. However, all the Snatchers but Greyback were stunned by Bellatrix Lestrange after she spotted Godric Gryffindor's Sword among the items they had seized. The Snatchers and the Death Eaters were ultimately thwarted, and the trio escaped along with a few other prisoners.

Shortly before midnight on 1 May, 1998, Scabior led the Snatchers in a charge to the Hogwarts Grounds in order to take part in the Battle of Hogwarts. They were unware of the magical protections around the school; three of their number were killed on the spot when they crossed the magical barrier. After the Death Eaters broke down the protective enchantments, the Snatchers stormed into the Wooden Bridge and started a short duel with Neville Longbottom that resulted in the collapse of the bridge and the deaths of Scabior and several of the Snatchers. The remaining Snatchers were either killed in battle, sent to Azkaban, or fled the country after the fall of the Dark Lord.

Role

Snatchers during Battle — Snatchers at the Battle of Hogwarts

The Snatchers seem to have been a militia formed from wizarding mercenaries less able and competent than Voldemort's elite Death Eaters and led by 'pack leaders' such as Fenrir Greyback. They were subordinate to the Death Eaters, as demonstrated by the disdainful treatment Greyback and his gang received at Malfoy Manor. Despite outnumbering Bellatrix Lestrange four to one, they were ignominiously defeated.

It is possible that skilled Snatchers were appointed as Death Eaters, as this seems to fit in with Lord Voldemort's claim that he "rewards his helpers". As there were a dozen Death Eaters guarding the village of Hogsmeade alone, it is likely that Lord Voldemort was recruiting more Death Eaters to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, and those particular ones were Snatchers who managed to get on Voldemort's good side. This would be an ideal way to recruit new Death Eaters, and eliminate those who were not worthy of the Dark Mark in Voldemort's eyes. Voldemort used their large numbers to his advantage when he attacked Hogwarts; utilizing them to test the ancient castle's magical defenses as well as overwhelming the defenders when they assaulted the castle itself.

Apparel

Unlike the Death Eaters, who were a highly regimented and uniformed organisation, the Snatchers had no formal dress code, and as such the apparel of each Snatcher was unique. As their work required them to travel the length and breadth of the country, and deal with changing weather conditions, most Snatchers chose to garb themselves in clothes such as thick jumpers, hooded sweatshirts, jackets made of leather, fur or other heavy weather-proof materials, woolen hats and boots or other cross-country suitable footwear, and favoured dark shades of black, brown, grey, blue, red and, green to blend in with surroundings.

Each Snatcher wore a strip of dark red fabric tied around his or her left arm, signifying their position within the new regime. These armbands were also worn by members of the Ministry Police suggesting a possible connection between the two groups. Some Snatchers also chose to smear their eyes with some sort of black make-up. This was presumably a protective measure to minimise sun glare while pursuing their quarry, and also to appear more intimidating.

Known victims

Killed

Snatched

Muggle-borns
Verious Witches and Wizards

Known Snatchers

Behind the scenes

The word Snatcher has been translated into other languages, including Polish: Szmalcownik (sing.), Szmalcownicy (pl.) Instead of creating a neologism, the translator decided to use much more appropriate word designed during World War II - "Szmalcownicy".

In the film adaptation, instead of a few Snatchers, there are hundreds, just as was done with the Death Eaters, to the point of becoming a secondary army of foot soldiers, similar to the dark creatures.
The Snatchers bear a remarkable resemblance to the Nazi Gestapo and Schutzstaffel, which composed the Einsatzgruppen that rounded up Jews and others targeted by them before and during World War II.
In the first and second film adaptations of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows each Snatcher wears a strip of red fabric tied around his or her left arm. This is an obvious reference to the swastika armbands worn by members of the Nazi secret service or the red armbands worn by Communist secret police during the Russian Civil War. Furthermore, several Snatchers are seen sporting leather trench coats, which were commonly worn by members of the Nazi Gestapo.
In the first & second film adaptations of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, instead of Greyback being the leader, Scabior appears to be leading the party and is seen interrogating the ones they snatch.
When Snatchers charge at Hogwarts to participate in the final battle in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, they act as a militia, supporting the regulars, in this case Death Eaters.
In the film Scabior plays with the word Snatcher, saying Snatch 'em.

Appearances

The Harry Potter Wiki has 60 images related to Snatchers.

Death Eaters

Leader: Lord Voldemort
Death Eaters Avery II · Alecto Carrow · Amycus Carrow · Crabbe · Bartemius Crouch Junior † · Antonin Dolohov · Gibbon † · Goyle · Gareth Greengrass's brother · Jugson · Barnaby Lee's father · Barnaby Lee's mother · Bellatrix Lestrange † · Rabastan Lestrange · Rodolphus Lestrange · Walden Macnair · Mulciber I · Mulciber II · Nott · Pyrites (possibly) · Augustus Rookwood · Rosier · Evan Rosier † · Thorfinn Rowle · Selwyn · Merula Snyde's father · Merula Snyde's mother · Travers · Wilkes † · Corban Yaxley · Unidentified Death Eaters
Death Eater defectors Regulus Black † · Igor Karkaroff † · Draco Malfoy · Lucius Malfoy · Peter Pettigrew † · Severus Snape †
Death Eater allies Borgin · Vincent Crabbe · John Dawlish · Delphini · Golgomath · Gregory Goyle · Fenrir Greyback · Mafalda Hopkirk · Narcissa Malfoy (defected) · Ismelda Murk (unofficially, supposedly) · Nagini · Mr Padgett · Mrs Padgett · Pansy Parkinson · Quirinus Quirrell · Albert Runcorn · Stanley Shunpike (Imperiused) · Scabior · Serpent of Slytherin · Pius Thicknesse (Imperiused) · Dolores Umbridge
Other affiliations British Ministry of Magic (under Voldemort's control) · Daily Prophet (under Voldemort's control) · Dementors · Draco Malfoy's gang · Kreacher (formerly) · Tom Riddle's gang · Gang of Slytherins · Giants (Golgomath's control) · Inferi · Charmed skeletons · Muggle-Born Registration Commission · Theodore Nott (possibly) · Snatchers · Werewolf army · The Unforgivable
Death Eater establishments Abandoned nuclear power plant · Borgin and Burkes · British Ministry of Magic Headquarters (under Voldemort's control) · The Cave · Chamber of Secrets · Forbidden Forest · Gaunt Shack · Lee family house · Lestrange Vault · Little Hangleton graveyard · Malfoy Manor · Misty Dell · Riddle House · Snatcher Camp · Spinner's End (Severus Snape's house) · The Abandoned Substation · The Ruins · The Quarry

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 |founded=[[1997]]
 |dissolved=[[1998]]
-|leader=[[Fenrir Greyback]] *[[Scabior]]
+|leader= *[[Fenrir Greyback]]
+*[[Scabior]]
 |headquarters=*[[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] (under [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]]'s [[Fall of the Ministry of Magic|control]])
 *[[Abandoned nuclear power plant]]
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 |hidea=hide
 }}
-{{quote|They're everywhere – gangs trying to earn gold by rounding up Muggle-borns and blood traitors, there's a reward from the Ministry for everyone captured... Some of them are supposed to be as bad as Death Eaters.|[[Ronald Weasley]] on Snatchers|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
+{{quote|They're everywhere — gangs trying to earn gold by rounding up Muggle-borns and blood traitors, there's a reward from the Ministry for everyone captured... Some of them are supposed to be as bad as Death Eaters.|[[Ronald Weasley]] on Snatchers|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
-'''Snatchers''' were members of an organisation of bounty hunters formed by [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] when he seized control of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in the summer of [[1997]]. It appeared to be a relatively informal organisation with the main purpose of rounding up [[Muggle-born]]s and "[[blood traitor]]s" (when, at the time, simply being one made one an outlaw). However, they also responded when the [[Taboo]] curse was triggered by someone using the [[Tom Riddle|Dark Lord]]'s name. At least some of them based themselves in a [[Snatcher Camp]] in the [[Forest of Dean]].
+'''Snatchers''' were members of an organisation of bounty hunters formed by [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] when he seized control of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in the summer of [[1997]].
+It appeared to be a relatively informal organisation with the main purpose of rounding up or arresting [[Muggle-born]]s and "[[blood traitor]]s" (when, at the time, simply being one made one an outlaw). However, they also responded when the [[Taboo]] curse was triggered by someone using the [[Tom Riddle|Dark Lord]]'s name. At least some of them based themselves in a [[Snatcher Camp]] in the [[Forest of Dean]].
 == History ==
-[[File:Two Snatchers.JPG|thumb|left|170px|A pair of typical Snatchers.]]
+[[File:Two Snatchers.JPG|thumb|left|215x215px|A pair of typical Snatchers]]
 When [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] temporarily abandoned the [[Horcrux]] [[Horcrux hunt|hunt]] with [[Harry Potter]] and [[Hermione Granger]], he was cornered by five Snatchers, who hoped that he was a [[Muggle-born]] so they could turn him in to the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] for a reward. However, he told them that he was [[Stanley Shunpike|Stan Shunpike]]. While they were arguing about whether or not he was lying (Ron suggested that they were not all that intelligent, and thought that one of them even had a trace of [[Troll]] blood), Ron managed to seize two Snatcher's wands and then escape.
 Around Easter of 1998, Fenrir Greyback's group of Snatchers tracked down a group of [[wizards]] and [[goblin]]s that included [[Dean Thomas]] and [[Griphook]], whom they captured. It is likely that they were responsible for the deaths of Dean and Griphook's other travelling companions, [[Ted Tonks]], [[Dirk Cresswell]], and [[Gornuk]].
+[[File:Bloatedface.jpg.jpg|thumb|215x215px|[[Harry Potter]] being captured by a group of Snatchers ]]
-Soon after, the same group discovered [[Harry Potter]], [[Hermione Granger]], and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], after Harry accidentally triggered the [[Taboo]] on Voldemort's name. Harry claimed that he was "Vernon Dudley', a [[Slytherin]] student and son of a [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] official. Ron claimed to be [[Stanley Shunpike|Stan Shunpike]] again, but was not believed, and then said he was "Barny Weasley". Hermione said she was [[Penelope Clearwater]] and a [[half-blood]]. Their story may have been believed, but Hermione's picture was spotted in the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'', which declared her to be "the [[Mudblood]] who is known to be travelling with Harry Potter".
+Soon after, the same group discovered [[Harry Potter]], [[Hermione Granger]], and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], after Harry accidentally triggered the [[Taboo]] on Voldemort's name. Harry claimed that he was "Vernon Dudley', a [[Slytherin]] student and son of a [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] official. Ron claimed to be [[Stanley Shunpike|Stan Shunpike]] again, but was not believed, and then said he was "Barny Weasley". Hermione said she was [[Penelope Clearwater]] and a [[half-blood]]. Their story may have been believed, but Hermione's picture was spotted in the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'', which declared her to be "''the [[Mudblood]] who is known to be travelling with Harry Potter''".
-[[File:Scabior.png|thumb|210px|Scabior and other snatchers falling from the collapsing [[Covered Bridge]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts|battle]].]]
 Greyback then decided to bring the group to [[Malfoy Manor]], where he seemed particularly eager to bite Hermione Granger. However, all the Snatchers but Greyback were [[Stunning Spell|stunned]] by [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] after she spotted [[Godric Gryffindor's Sword]] among the items they had seized. The Snatchers and the [[Death Eaters]] were ultimately thwarted, and the trio [[Skirmish at Malfoy Manor|escaped along with a few other prisoners]].
+[[File:Scabior.png|thumb|238x238px|Scabior and other snatchers falling from the collapsing [[Wooden Bridge]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts|battle]]|left]]
-Shortly before midnight on [[1 May]], [[1998]], [[Scabior]] led the Snatchers in a charge to the [[Hogwarts Castle|Hogwarts Grounds]] in order to take part in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. They were unware of the magical protections around the school; [[Three unidentified Snatchers who disintegrated during the Battle of Hogwarts|three of their number]] were killed on the spot when they crossed the magical barrier. After the [[Death Eaters]] broke down the protective enchantments, the Snatchers stormed into the [[Covered Bridge]] and started [[Skirmish at the Covered Bridge|a short duel]] with [[Neville Longbottom]] that resulted in the collapse of the bridge and the deaths of [[Scabior]] and several of the Snatchers. The remaining Snatchers were either killed in battle, sent to Azkaban, or fled the country after the fall of the Dark Lord.
+Shortly before midnight on [[1 May]], [[1998]], [[Scabior]] led the Snatchers in a charge to the [[Hogwarts Castle|Hogwarts Grounds]] in order to take part in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. They were unware of the magical protections around the school; [[Three unidentified Snatchers who disintegrated during the Battle of Hogwarts|three of their number]] were killed on the spot when they crossed the magical barrier. After the [[Death Eaters]] broke down the protective enchantments, the Snatchers stormed into the [[Wooden Bridge]] and started [[Skirmish at the Wooden Bridge|a short duel]] with [[Neville Longbottom]] that resulted in the collapse of the bridge and the deaths of [[Scabior]] and several of the Snatchers. The remaining Snatchers were either killed in battle, sent to Azkaban, or fled the country after the fall of the Dark Lord.
 ==Role==
-[[File:Snatchers_at_Battle.jpg|thumb|The Snatchers at the Battle of Hogwarts.]]
+[[File:Snatchers_during_Battle.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Snatchers at the Battle of Hogwarts]]
 The Snatchers seem to have been a militia formed from wizarding mercenaries less able and competent than Voldemort's elite [[Death Eaters]] and led by 'pack leaders' such as [[Fenrir Greyback]]. They were subordinate to the Death Eaters, as demonstrated by the disdainful treatment Greyback and his gang received at [[Malfoy Manor]]. Despite outnumbering [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] four to one, they were ignominiously defeated.
-It is possible that skilled Snatchers were appointed as [[Death Eaters]], as this seems to fit in with [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort's]] claim that he "rewards his helpers". As there were a dozen Death Eaters guarding the village of [[Hogsmeade]] alone, it is likely that Lord Voldemort was recruiting more Death Eaters to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, and those particular ones were Snatchers who managed to get on Voldemort's good side. This would be an ideal way to recruit new Death Eaters, and eliminate those who were not worthy of the Dark Mark in Voldemort's eyes.
+It is possible that skilled Snatchers were appointed as [[Death Eaters]], as this seems to fit in with [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort's]] claim that he "rewards his helpers". As there were a dozen Death Eaters guarding the village of [[Hogsmeade]] alone, it is likely that Lord Voldemort was recruiting more Death Eaters to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, and those particular ones were Snatchers who managed to get on Voldemort's good side. This would be an ideal way to recruit new Death Eaters, and eliminate those who were not worthy of the Dark Mark in Voldemort's eyes. Voldemort used their large numbers to his advantage when he attacked Hogwarts; utilizing them to test the ancient castle's magical defenses as well as overwhelming the defenders when they assaulted the castle itself.
 ==Apparel==
-Unlike the [[Death Eaters]], who were a highly regimented and uniformed organisation, the Snatchers had no formal dress code, and as such the apparel of each Snatcher was unique. As their work required them to travel the length and breadth of the country, and deal with changing weather conditions, most Snatchers chose to garb themselves in clothes such as thick jumpers, hooded sweatshirts, jackets made of leather, fur or other heavy weather-proof materials, woolen hats and boots or other cross-country suitable footwear, and favoured dark shades of black, brown, grey, blue, red and green to blend in with surroundings. Each Snatcher wore a strip of dark red fabric tied around his or her left arm, signifying their position within the new regime. These armbands were also worn by members of the [[Ministry Police]] suggesting a possible connection between the two groups. Some Snatchers also chose to smear their eyes with some sort of black make-up. This was presumably a protective measure to minimise sun glare while pursuing their quarry, and also to appear more intimidating.
+Unlike the [[Death Eaters]], who were a highly regimented and uniformed organisation, the Snatchers had no formal dress code, and as such the apparel of each Snatcher was unique. As their work required them to travel the length and breadth of the country, and deal with changing weather conditions, most Snatchers chose to garb themselves in clothes such as thick jumpers, hooded sweatshirts, jackets made of leather, fur or other heavy weather-proof materials, woolen hats and boots or other cross-country suitable footwear, and favoured dark shades of black, brown, grey, blue, red and, green to blend in with surroundings.
-==Victims==
+Each Snatcher wore a strip of dark red fabric tied around his or her left arm, signifying their position within the new regime. These armbands were also worn by members of the [[Ministry Police]] suggesting a possible connection between the two groups. Some Snatchers also chose to smear their eyes with some sort of black make-up. This was presumably a protective measure to minimise sun glare while pursuing their quarry, and also to appear more intimidating.
+==Known victims==
 ===Killed===
+<gallery widths="100" orientation="portrait" spacing="small">
-*[[Dirk Cresswell]]
+Ricky Wilson DH1.jpg|[[Dirk Cresswell]]
+TedTonks.JPG|[[Ted Tonks]]
+</gallery>
 *[[Gornuk]]
-*[[Ted Tonks]]
+*[[Muggle-born]]s
-*Many [[Muggle-born]]s
 ===Snatched===
+<gallery widths="100" orientation="portrait" spacing="small">
-*[[Dean Thomas]]
+Dean ThomasDH2.jpg|[[Dean Thomas]]
-*[[Griphook]]
+Griphook profile.png|[[Griphook]]
-*[[Harry Potter]]
+PromoHP7 Harry Potter.jpg|[[Harry Potter]]
-*[[Hermione Granger]]
+HermioneGranger.jpg|[[Hermione Granger]]
-*[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]
+Ron-Weasley-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-movies-17179892-1919-2560.jpg|[[Ron Weasley]]
-*Many [[Muggle-born]]s
+</gallery>
-*Many innocent Wizards
+*[[Muggle-born]]s
+*Verious Witches and Wizards
 ==Known Snatchers==
@@ Line 99: / Line 110: @@
 [[fr:Rafleur]]
 [[ru:Егеря]]
+[[pl:Szmalcownicy]]
 [[Category:Battle of Hogwarts participants]]
 [[Category:Death Eater allies]]