And third ... a Slytherin half-blood, former Death Eater and spy, versus a pureblood Lord. Sirius Black held more sway over the wizarding society than he ever could. Especially if you considered the "bleeding-heart" Light Side's sympathy votes. That ought to be more important to the Dark Lord since he had chosen the political route this time. Yet, neither Voldemort nor Harry had ever paused or hesitated when evicting Black.