What, exactly, is it that makes a person embrace the dark and malicious side of our nature? Since the beginning of time, philosophers have been wrestling with this very question, writing endless volumes on what they call ethics. Modern muggle politicians, scholars and theologians find the topic to be extremely relevant, given current geo-politics and prevalence violence around the globe. The words "terror" and "evil" have played a prominent role in nearly every major political speech given in the last four years.
And yet muggles haven't seen true evil, yet. They've seen glimpses of it in the famous serial killers of their day. Jack The Ripper. The Black Dhalia. Ted Bundy. Jeffery Dahmer. The BTK Killer. Illene Warunos. These people, while certainly dangerous and despicable, aren't pure evil. They, invariably, exhibit some signs mental illness –schizophrenia, sociopathic personality, addiction. After all, how could someone of sound mind practice such a disregard for human life?
For 11 years, the wizarding world knew pure, undiluted evil. Unclouded by insanity, one man was so vile and so unfortunately competent at murder and mayhem that he seemed all but unstoppable. During the height of his reign, Lord Voldemort was –in many ways- worse than any serial killer. While they often acted alone and later attracted small, but sick, groups of "fans"; Voldemort commanded an army of followers. Each deatheater was capable of murder and torture, happily carrying out every last one of Voldemort's masochistic orders.
What stops evil? How can someone destroy evil without BECOMING evil? Doesn't the act of destroying the destructors make you the very thing you set out to defeat? And is it possible to stop these monsters when they are willing to go to horrifying lengths to ensure success?
One of the core lessons of warfare is know your enemy. Know what it is capable of. Know its weaknesses, but more importantly, know its strengths. Respect and understand your foe. Otherwise, you'll present little challenge.
But, at the center of it all, it is love that conquers evil. Not puppy dogs and butterflies and flowery little notes passed in the halls. Cupid wasn't a match-maker! He carried a bow and arrow as weapons, not cute props. Roses, the flower most symbolic of love, is armed with countless sharp thorns. The heart, the very embodiment of love, is the most vulnerable human organ.
For all its glory and sweetness, love is also a fierce warrior. It protects like no other force on the planet.
Woe is all that will come to those who incur its wrath.
With these thoughts heavy on his mind, Harry Potter rose from his chair next to the hospital bed of his dear friend Hermione Granger. He laid a picture on the stand next to her bed. The photo showed three young Gryffindors drinking butterbeer, celebrating the end of some particularly difficult examinations. The three students were Harry himself, Hermione, and the one person most important to Harry in the whole world, now: Ron Weasley.
Outside the doors of the hospital wing, Harry was met by and ancient man with the longest, whitest beard you ever did see. He smiled warmly at Harry, though his eyes betrayed a sense of sadness. The road that lies ahead would not be easy.
"Are you ready, dear boy?" said the old man.
Harry gripped his wand, squared his shoulders and nodded.
"Let's go fulfill this prophecy."
And with that, Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore sped off towards the catacombs under the school, both knowing that they would destroy the evil they found, or give their lives in the attempt.