Pius Thicknesse
Pius Thicknesse was Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement who was placed under the Imperius Curse by Death Eaters and installed as a puppet Minister for Magic, allowing Voldemort to control the Ministry from the shadows.
Pre-War Career
Before his corruption, Thicknesse held an important position:
- Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement
- Responsible for Aurors, Hit Wizards, and magical law
- Senior Ministry official with significant authority
- Presumably competent and trusted before his imperiousing
Fall to the Imperius Curse
Thicknesse became a Death Eater puppet:
- Placed under Imperius by Yaxley and other Death Eaters
- Became unable to resist Death Eater commands
- His free will completely subverted
- Used as a tool to control Ministry operations
- Nobody suspected he was under external control initially
Puppet Minister
After Rufus Scrimgeour's murder, Thicknesse became Minister:
The Coup: When Death Eaters killed Scrimgeour, they installed Thicknesse as his replacement. Under the Imperius Curse, he implemented Voldemort's agenda while maintaining appearance of legitimate government.
Reign of Terror: As Minister, Thicknesse enacted numerous oppressive policies:
- Created Muggle-Born Registration Commission
- Required Muggle-borns to "prove" their magical heritage
- Arrested and imprisoned thousands on false charges
- Installed Dementors to guard the Ministry
- Filled government positions with Death Eaters and sympathizers
- Spread propaganda through Daily Prophet
- Made resisting the regime extremely dangerous
Maintaining the Facade
Thicknesse's imperioused state was carefully hidden:
- Appeared to make his own decisions
- Attended meetings and gave orders
- Most Ministry employees didn't know he was being controlled
- This gave Voldemort's takeover appearance of legitimacy
- Made resistance more difficult as people believed the Minister was acting freely
Bill and Fleur's Wedding
Thicknesse was present when Death Eaters attacked the wedding:
- Arrived with Death Eater forces
- Helped search for Harry Potter
- His presence proved Ministry had fallen completely
- Kingsley's Patronus warning specifically mentioned the Ministry had fallen
Battle of Hogwarts
Thicknesse fought on Voldemort's side during the final battle:
- Still under Imperius Curse
- Commanded to fight against Hogwarts defenders
- Participated in assault on the castle
- Eventually freed when Voldemort was defeated
After the Curse Broke
Following Voldemort's death, the Imperius lifted:
- Thicknesse regained his free will
- Presumably horrified by what he'd been forced to do
- Removed from office immediately
- Kingsley Shacklebolt installed as replacement
- Legal status complicated by imperioused state
Victim or Accomplice?
Thicknesse's case raised difficult questions:
- Under Imperius, he had no control over his actions
- His hands committed terrible crimes nonetheless
- Wizarding law generally excuses actions under Imperius
- But damage caused under his authority was immense
- His career was effectively destroyed regardless
The Imperius Defense
Thicknesse's situation highlighted complexities of the Imperius Curse:
- Complete control over victim impossible to resist for most
- Only very strong-willed wizards can fight it
- Creates perfect puppets for evil purposes
- Makes identifying infiltration extremely difficult
- Victim bears no moral responsibility but society still suffers
Legacy
Thicknesse is remembered as:
- Symbol of Ministry's corruption under Voldemort
- Warning about vigilance against Dark magic infiltration
- Tragic victim of Dark wizards' manipulation
- Example of how institutional power can be subverted