Chapter 2: The Interview

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Luna met later that night in the Room of Requirement as they want some privacy to read their illegal copy of the Quibbler. Hermione opened it and started to read it out loud:

Last issue, we at the Quibbler were proud to present to our readers an exclusive interview with Harry Potter by renowned journalist Rita Skeeter.

Hermione paused and huffed "Renowned my arse! That woman is an affront to real journalists everywhere."

"I know Hermione, I know." Harry began, "But what did you expect him to say? We published an interview with Harry Potter by the biggest hack in wizarding journalism?"

Hermione remained silent.

"He had to at least appear respectful. I mean after all, he was publishing her work in his paper wasn't he?"

Hermione didn't say anything to this but continued reading.

In this issue, we present a second interview in which Mr. Potter talks candidly about his life growing up, his parents, and his life at Hogwarts. He also opens up about his Godfather, (accused murderer Sirius Black) as well as his side of the obvious smear campaign which has been launched by the Daily Prophet.

Before this interview began, Mr. Potter asked me to accept a Wizarding oath from him, swearing on his magic, that he will tell the truth. I was hesitant because of the damage an oath like that could cause to a persons magic. Even a little slip could cause one to be rendered a squib. But Mr. Potter pointed out that without the oath, certain people would just claim he way lying, the same way they did before, and while I didn't like it, I agreed at his insistence.

One final thing we should mention about this interview. Mr. Potter routinely uses You Know Who's full name when he is talking about him. As we know that this upsets most people, we will not be writing it in the paper. However, with Mr. Potter's permission we have changed it to "LV" Other than this edit, the entire interview is being printed verbatim."

ZL: "Welcome Mr. Potter. Thank you for agreeing to do this."

HP: "I glad to be here Mr. Lovegood, and please, call me Harry."

ZL: (1) "Alright Harry, I guess we should begin by asking you the question that everyone wants to know about you. How did you survive being hit with a killing curse when you were only a year and a half old?"

HP: "The night (LV) broke in our house to kill me, he killed my father first because he had stayed behind in order to try and delay (LV) and give my mother time to escape with me. It didn't work, and after killing my father, he went upstairs to the nursery where my mother was hiding with me. He kept telling to get out of the way. He actually gave her 2 or 3 chances to do it but all she kept saying was to take her, to kill her instead. Why he didn't just kill her outright I don't know. I don't think anyone does except (LV.) But eventually he must have gotten tired of her refusing him and did kill her. He then turned his wand on me. What I know now is that when my mother tried to sacrifice herself to save me, she invoked ancient protective magics. Magics that can only come from a parent who is willing gives their lives to protect their child. It's this magic that caused (LV) killing curse to rebound back on him."

ZL: (2) "Do you remember anything at all of your parents Harry?"

HP: "Well, when I was growing up I had dreams now and then about a green flash of light, but never anything about my parents. I never even saw a picture of them till I came to Hogwarts. However, when ever a Dementor gets too close to me I can hear my father telling my mother to take me and hide and then my mother pleading with (LV) to kill her and leave me. That's the only direct memory's I have of hearing their voices."

ZL: "I'm sorry Harry. No one should have to have memories like that."

HP: "Thank you, but it's not you fault. It's not anybody's fault except (LV)"

ZL: (3) "So where did you grow up after James and Lilly Potter were killed? To the Wizarding world, it seemed like you dropped off the face of the earth."

HP: "I was sent to live with my aunt Petunia, my uncle Vernon, and my cousin Dudley. Aunt Petunia was my mother's sister."

ZL: (4) "They're Muggles aren't they? What was it like growing up with them?"

HP: "Awful. They were, and still are horrible people. They treated me….well, most house elves are treated better. They hate magic and everything to do with it, and consider all witches and wizards to be freaks. When I was younger, I used to dream about someone coming and taking me away from them."

ZL: "There are many in the wizarding community that say that Muggles shouldn't be allowed to raise magical children, that they should be taken away from them and the Muggle parents Obliviated. Do you agree with this."

HP: " No, that's not the answer. I don't want to give people the wrong impression about Muggles. There are good Muggles and there are bad ones. Just like there and good Witches and Wizards as well as bad ones. You can't judge a whole group of people by the actions of a small number of them."

ZL: "Very well put Harry. I wish more people were more opened minded like this."

HP: "Well it's the truth, despite what some narrow bigots want to think.

ZL: (5) "Did you have a lot of muggle friends growing up?"

HP: "No. Any time someone started to be friends with me, my cousin Dudley and his gang threatened to beat them up. I think it was because he was so insecure. He couldn't feel like he was worth anything unless he had power over someone, and so he made my life as miserable as possible."

ZL: "So your aunt and uncle treated him badly as well?"

HP: "Oh no. He was their little Prince. There was nothing he could do that was wrong. If there was a problem, then it was somebody else's problem. But never his. I even had to make sure that he got better grades than me in primary school because they couldn't have that freaky Harry Potter showing up their little Dudders. I only made friends when I came to Hogwarts."

ZL: (6) "What did you think when you saw Hogwarts for the first time?"

HP: "It was like stepping into a story book. I could hardly breath at the sight of it. I still look up at the castle sometimes as I'm coming back from Hogsmead with a sense of wonder and amazement."

ZL: (7) "Who is your most favorite and least favorite Professor?"

HP: "Well, they're mostly all excellent at their subjects. I won't say who my least favorite is because I have to be it that Professor's class and get marks from them. Also, to be fair, they're not here to defend themselves. As for who my most favorite is, that would be Professor McGonagal. She's the head of Gryffindor House and the Transfiguration Professor."

ZL: "She wouldn't be your favorite because she's your head of house would she?"

HP: "No, it's because she's easily one of the best Transfiguration Masters in all of Europe. I admit she can come across as very stern, and some people don't like her because of that, but that's a side of her you only see when you start messing about in her class or don't try. One of my friends, who's name I won't mention because I don't want to embarrass them, has a lot of difficulty in Transfiguration, but they really try to get the spells she's trying to teach. Because of this she doesn't lose her patience with them, unlike some others. There are just some people who are born to teach and she truly is one of them."

ZL: (8) "What's your favorite subject?"

HP: "Defense Against the Dark Arts, no question. Even if these times weren't as bad as they are, it's easily the most important subject we can learn. Everything else is meaningless if you don't know how to protect yourself, or your family."

ZL: "My research shows that you've had 5 different DADA Professors in as many years. Why do you think that is, and what did you think of their teaching?"

(At this point Mr. Potter pauses for the first time before answering.)

HP: "My first year DADA Professor, Professor Quirrell, used to stutter all the time, and as we found out at the end of term, he had (LV) sticking out the back of his head…."

ZL: "Excuse me, sticking out of the back of his head?"

HP: "Yes. (LV) essence or spirit, for lack of a better term, had apparently run into Quirrell in Eastern Europe the summer before and possessed him. He died when (LV) didn't have any more use for him and left his body.

Our second year Professor, Professor Lockhart….."

(Mr. Potter again pauses.)

ZL: "Was Professor Lockhart in fact the famous Gilderoy Lockhart?"

HP: "That's him. The one and only, and you, as well as the rest of the Wizarding world for that matter, can thank Merlin there's only one of him. That man was the biggest ponce I've ever had the misfortune to meet."

ZL: "I thought Gilderoy Lockhart was a master of Defense? He's an Honorary member of the Dark Force Defense League. He won the Order of Merlin Third Class. I would think that there'd be no one better to teach DADA?"

HP: "One would think that wouldn't you? No. He was an pompous prat who was only interested in getting his name in the paper so he could sell more books about his "DARING ADVENTURES.

He didn't know a thing about the dark arts, or how to defend against them. In fact the only complex spell he could perform correctly were memory charms. In fact that's how he did all the things he claimed in his books. He'd track down the witches and wizards who's actually done the things he claimed to do, erase their memory of the events, (after getting all the details of what they did of course) and then claim he did it in his books. The man was a fraud through and through, and anyone who's bought any of his books would do better to take them back and demand a refund"

ZL: "Can you give us some examples?"

HP: "Well, on our first day in his class, he gave us a small test. Nine pages of small test in fact. Not about the dark arts to see what we knew, so he'd know what to teach us. No, they were all about him. What was his favorite color? What was his secret ambition? What would be the ideal gift for him on his birthday? Rubbish like that. It just went on and on and on. I think there was something like one-hundred question in total.

Another time he got permission from the Headmaster to start a Dueling club, and chose Professor Severus Snape, our Potions Master as his assistant. He told us he was going to demonstrate how to disarm your opponent in a duel."

(Mr. Potter starts smiling at this point)

HP: "It didn't go as he planed. He started out by making all sorts or wild arm movements, but before he could say anything, Professor Snape simply raised his wand and said "Expelliarmus" and Lockhart ended up being blown off the stage backwards without his wand.

It would be really funny if it weren't so sad."

ZL: "I understand he's currently in St. Mungo's in the Long Term Spell Damage Ward. Do you know what happened to him?"

HP: "Near the end of term, myself and another student found out about his secret, and confronted him about it. He admitted the truth finally but then tried to memory charm both of us. I disarmed him, but he managed to get a hold of my friends wand, and attempted to memory charm us again.

Fortunately, the wand he was using, or trying to use had been broken and was being held together with Spellotape, and the spell backfired on him and erased his entire memory.

The only thing he remembered was how to do was walk, talk, and wipe his ar…."

ZL: "Thank you Harry. Please try to remember, this IS a family paper.

What about your third year Professor? I believe his name was Remus Lupin, was it not?"

HP: "It was."

ZL: "He's a werewolf is he not? (Mr. Potter doesn't answer this question out loud, but nods his head in the affirmative) Weren't you worried about his condition endangering you or your classmates?"

HP: "Professor Lupin was the ONLY DADA Professor I've had that's actually known what he was doing. As for dangerous, with one exception,"

(At this point Mr. Potter names someone he asks me not to mention by name in this interview.)

HP: "He is the gentlest soul I have ever met in my life. Also, he was taking Wolfsbane the entire year. So even if a student had come across him when he was transformed, they would have been perfectly safe."

ZL: "But isn't a werewolf still capable of passing on their disease even if they've taken Wolfsbane?"

HP: "Yes. Even with the Wolfsbane, if they bite someone they'll still pass the condition on. But people have to understand something. A werewolf who transforms without Wolfsbane is a completely predatorily animal. They have no control except their base instincts. Wolfsbane gives them back that control. They know who and what they are. Besides, most people who suffer from Lycanthrope would never inflict it willingly on another person because they know all too well the hell they go through every month when they transform.

I'd also like to say something about werewolves are treated in our world if you'd be kind enough to indulge me for a few moments?"

ZL: " Please go ahead."

HP: "Lycanthrope is a disease, plain and simple, and the people who suffer from it only have it because they were bitten by another werewolf, usually through no fault of their own. Professor Lupin for example was bitten when he was four years old. Four!

And yet, because of this, the Ministry classifies them as dangerous beasts. THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS! They have the same wants and needs, and the same desires as any other person. Plus, they're only affected by their disease once a month. Yet they're forbidden from holding paying jobs, they aren't allowed to marry, they can be arrested and held indefinitely by the Ministry without a warrant…the list just goes on and on.

Is it any wonder so many of them turn to crime? They have no choice. They have to in order to survive.

It's time for the Ministry to change the laws and actually help these people rather than persecute them for something they have no control over."

ZL: "That was very well thought out Harry, and hopefully someday the laws will indeed change. But for now, I'd like to get back on track. I believe your next DADA Professor was Alastor Moody. Considered one of the best Aurors the Ministry ever had. What could have been wrong with him?"

HP: "Well, here's the problem. The person who taught DADA last year was actually a decent teacher, and we all learned a lot from him. But he was NOT Alastor Moody. He was in fact an escaped Death Eater named Barty Crouch Jr. who had been broken out of Azkaban Prison by his father, Barty Crouch Sr. I spoke about him in depth in interview with Miss Skeeter."

ZL: "There was a rumor, unconfirmed of course, that he actually taught the dark arts in his class, and that he had Headmaster Dumbledore's permission to do so. Can you shed some light on this?"

HP: "He didn't teach the dark arts in class, though he did demonstrate all three of the Unforgivables, as well as put all of us under the Imperius curse.

As to Headmaster Dumbledore, he had given his permission for the person he thought was Moody to discuss the Unforgivables earlier than what would be usual in his class. But he never gave his permission to demonstrate them. Let alone actually putting one on a student."

ZL: "How do you know this Harry?"

HP: "I asked him after the events at the end of last year. He's sometimes refused to answer my questions, but he's never lied to me, and I don't believe he did then."

ZL: "You said earlier that Professor Lupin was the ONLY Defense teacher that was any good. What about your current Professor? She was appointed by the Ministry. Surely she must know what she's doing?"

(Again, another pause from Mr. Potter, who then began slowly, and seemed to be choosing his words very carefully.)

HP: "Professor Umbridge has had us reading "Defensive Magical Theory" by Wilbert Slinkhard as the class book…..and that's all. We are not allowed to practice the actual spells in class. Just read the book. "

ZL: "Isn't the whole point of taking DADA to learn how to practice defensive spells so you will know how to actually use them if you need them later in life?"

HP: "Now you know, that's funny. A friend of mind asked Professor Umbridge almost the exact same question, and you know what they were told?"

ZL: "No Harry, what?"

HP: "They were told that as they were not a quote: "Ministry-trained Educational Expert", that they "not qualified to decide what the whole point of any class is." End quote."

ZL: "And what do you think?"

HP: "Well, I'm not a Ministry-trained expert either, so I'll refrain from commenting. But if anyone is interested in what Mr. Slinkhard says in his book, and what is being taught by Professor Umbridge, all they have to do is go to Flourish and Blotts and pick up a copy of his book. They have tons of them in the discount section…..for some reason, and they can judge for themselves."

ZL: (9)"Is it true Quidditch is one of your favorite sports?"

HP: "Yes. Next to being able to do magic, it's probably the best thing about the wizarding world."

ZL: "What position do you play on the team?"

HP: "I've been the seeker for the Gryffindor House team since first year."

ZL: "First year? I thought first years aren't allowed to play on the house teams?"

HP: "No, there's nothing in the school rules that says they can't. It's just that most first years are still learning to sit on a broom, never mind having the flying skills to be able to hold their own in a match."

ZL: "Do you think being Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, had any part is you getting on the team?"

HP: 'Merlin I hate the name 'The Boy Who Lived'. But to answer your question, you don't know Oliver Wood. He was the team Captain my first year, and he wouldn't have let Prince William on the team unless he could play well.

No, I just have a gift for flying. It's no different than someone else having a gift for Transfiguration, or Potions, or something else. In truth, I'm no better than any other student."

ZL: (10)"Well now we come to the question I'm sure you've been dreading the entire interview: Does Harry Potter have a girlfriend."

(Mr. Potter turned slightly red at this question.)

HP: "Ah…well, I am seeing someone….sort of. I mean I've started to see someone. But we've only gone out on one date. Where it's will go, I have no idea."

ZL: "Care to share the young lady's name with the readers?"

HP: "No."

ZL: (11)"Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban in your third year, to kill you by all reports. Were you frightened?"

HP: "That's a more complicated question than you know. When Sirius escaped, I first heard about it on the Muggle news. They (the Muggles) were simply told that a murderer had escaped from prison and that he was considered armed and dangerous, and at that time I didn't think any more about t because I didn't know who Sirius Black was.

It was only later that I found out that he was my Godfather and that he was supposed to have escaped so he could kill me, and that he believed that this would somehow bring (LV) back. And yes, when I found that out I was scared for a while, but then I started thinking about it. Black couldn't be worse than (LV), and once I had that in perspective it took the worst part of the fear away."

ZL: "What happened after that?"

HP: "I got on the Hogwarts Express as usual, and started off to school, but halfway here the train was stopped and searched by Dementors from Azkaban. I had a bad reaction to being near them and passed out."

ZL: "What did you see or hear?"

HP: "My parents being killed by (LV) "

ZL: "What happened when you got to Hogwarts?

HP: "The Headmaster announced that Dementors had been stationed all around Hogwarts, and warned the students not to give them any reason to harm them. He went on to say that they were there to protect the school from Sirius Black."

ZL: "The Headmaster put Dementors around the school?"

HP: "Oh no. He didn't want them anywhere near Hogwarts. The Minister of Magic insisted on it. In fact he wanted them to be stationed inside the school as well, not just outside.

I was told he had to do some serious persuading to get Fudge to change his mind, and as it is, despite the Ministers assurances that the Ministry had the Dementors under their full control, they still attacked a quidditch game I was playing in and caused me to fall off my broom from 100 feet up."

ZL: "Minister Fudge wanted Dementors inside Hogwarts?"

HP: "Yes he did. I mean seriously, what kind of bloody idiot would put Dementors in a school full of children? Children that have no defense against them?"

ZL: "I don't know what to say to that Harry."

HP: "Actually Mr. Lovegood, you don't have to say anything. I've already answered my own question haven't I?"

ZL: "I've noticed that you keep referring to Black as Sirius. Is there a reason for this?"

HP: "Yes there is. Sirius Black is an innocent man. After he was arrested, he was taken to Azkaban and thrown in a cell without being questioned under Veritaserum, and without being given a trial. This can be confirmed by anyone, as trial records by law are public documents, and there are no trial records.

Furthermore, Sirius was also accused of being (LV) second in command, even though he doesn't have the dark mark on his arm. I believe him.

Also, there's one final thing that cements his innocence. He gave me an Unbreakable vow that he did not betray my parents, that he did not kill Peter Pettigrew or the Muggles, and that he was not now, nor has he ever been a Deatheater or a supporter of (LV)."

ZL: "When did he do this and why? I thought you believed him?"

HP: "I do, and did. The vow was Sirius's idea so that if I ever gave an interview, or was questioned under Veritaserum, I could tell them honestly that he had made the vow."

ZL: "Do you know where he is now?"

HP: "No, I have no idea where Sirius is right now. I just hope he's safe, because I want him back."

ZL: "So if Black is innocent, then who betrayed your parents?"

HP: "Pettigrew did. You see, Sirius was going to be my parents secret keeper when they hid their house with the Fidelius Charm. But Sirius and my Dad decided that he was far too obvious a choice, and they decided to switch secret keepers at the last moment as a ruse. They figured that nobody would ever imagine that Pettigrew would be the secret keeper, and that the Death Eaters would come after him instead.

It was a good plan but it didn't work out the way he intended. Pettigrew was in fact a Death Eater himself, and the same day he became the secret keeper, he betrayed the secret to (LV). This is something that haunts Sirius, and that he blames himself for to this day."

ZL: "Did you tell the Ministry all this?"

HP: "Of course. In fact I told Minister Fudge himself. But I was 13 years old at the time and Fudge was told that I and the two friends that were with me, and also saw Pettigrew alive, had obviously been confunded by Sirius. Plus I guess he figured that there was nothing that 3 13 year olds could possibly know that he, the Minister of Magic didn't. So he completely ignored our statements."

ZL: "Amazing. What happened to Pettigrew?"

HP: "He escaped. He's an unregistered Animagus. He can turn into a rat, and he managed to get away and run into the forbidden forest when the Dementors attacked Sirius and I on the school grounds. We were going to bring him back to the castle and turn him into the Aurors so that Sirius could get a trial and be cleared. But that wasn't to be."

ZL: (12)"We've already touched on this briefly, but what do you think of Minister Fudge and his Government?"

HP: "As I said before, I think he's an idiot, and the only thing he cares about is the prestige of being Minister of Magic. Like Emperor Nero of ancient Rome, our world could burn, but as long as he was Minister, I doubt he'd lift a finger to put the fire out. Unless there was a good photo OP in it for him of course."

"ZL: "That's a rather strong statement Harry. Care to elaborate?"

HP: "We told him about Sirius, and he ignored us. Too disruptive to his little world I guess. Professor Dumbledore and I both told him at the end of last year that (LV) had returned, and he did was give us one of his famous "Preposterous" statements.

He then accused us of making this all up to try and destabilize his Government so that Dumbledore could become Minister, which is probably the stupidest thing he's ever said, and that's saying a lot.

He rather conveniently forgets that Professor Dumbledore has already been asked three times to be Minister, and three times he's refused.

If he wanted to be Minister of Magic, he would be already."

ZL: "Do you think he'll ever admit he's wrong?"

HP: "No. Until (LV) makes an appearance in front witnesses, Fudge will go around with his head shoved up his ar…backside, and keep telling people that we're lying or that were both crazy."

ZL: "When do you think He Who Must Not Be Named will appear?"

HP: "I have no idea. (LV) is many things, but stupid isn't one of them. Given Fudge's position, he'll likely continue to lay low, rebuilding his forces until he's ready to strike."

ZL: (13)"Shortly before term started, you were accused of using underage magic outside of school. Is this true?"

HP: "Yes it is. I was walking back to the house with my cousin Dudley, when the two of us were attacked by Dementors. I had to use the Patronus Charm to drive them off."

ZL: "The Patronus Charm? Isn't that charm beyond NEWT level?"

HP: "Yes it is. I was taught the charm by Professor Lupin because of my reaction to the Dementors in 3rd year. He wanted me to be able to protect myself."

ZL: "I can't even do that charm, and you learned it when you were thirteen?"

HP: "Yes sir."

ZL. "You continue to amaze me Harry. What happened after you chased the Dementors away?"

HP: "I received a owl from Improper Use of Magic Office saying that I was expelled from Hogwarts and that Ministry representatives would be coming my residence shortly to destroy my wand."

ZL: "That seems rather extreme."

HP: "Yes, illegal as well. It seems that the Minister, again rather conveniently, forgot that he didn't have the authority to either expel me or have my wand snapped until AFTER charges had been actually proven."

ZL: "You think Minister Fudge was behind it?"

HP: "Definitely. I can't prove it, and neither can Professor Dumbledore, but I'd be willing to bet my trust fund that he was.

Also, you have to remember, this was the Ministry of Magic. The head of the same Ministry that threw my Godfather, the head of an Ancient and Nobel house into Azkaban with a trial. Why should I have been surprised that they ignored inconvenient laws and treat me any different?

Anyhow, about 20 minutes later I got another owl from the Ministry saying that after discussions with the Headmaster of Hogwarts, I was not expelled but suspended, and that I could keep my wand. But that I had to go to a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry about the matter."

ZL: "What happened at that hearing?"

HP: "I was escorted to the hearing by a friend that works there and we found out that rather than have the hearing at the Improper Use of Magic Office as is the norm, for some reason I was being tried in Courtroom Ten in front of the entire Wizengamot. With, of course Fudge as the Judge."

(At this point Mr. Potter began to laugh, and I asked him why)

HP: "I'm sorry Mr. Lovegood. It was an unintentional joke. Fudge the Judge."

ZL: "Obviously you were acquitted, or you wouldn't be here. But how?"

HP: "Despite Fudge constantly interrupting me, I finally got out that my cousin and I were attacked by Dementors, and Professor Dumbledore found a witness to the event. A squib that lives in my neighborhood and who had seen what happened. But even with that, it was close, and Fudge was not happy. He went so red I thought he was going to have a stroke."

ZL: (14)"I didn't ask before, but what did you do with your 1000 galleon prize for winning the Tri-Wizard Tournament?"

HP: "I tried to give it to Mr. & Mrs. Diggory. I don't need it, and besides, I felt Cedric deserved it more than I did. But they refused. So I gave it to a couple of young entrepreneurs that want to start a worthwhile business."

ZL: "Any hints as to who they are?"

HP: "Not at this time. I have my reasons for not wanting people to know I gave them the startup money."

ZL: (15)"One thing I've been wondering personally, is why you keep referring to He Who Must Not Be Named by his name? Most people are startled when they hear it, some scream or shudder, and I've even seem some people pass out. Aren't you frightened by saying it?"

HP: "Not in the slightest. Everyone should say his name instead of calling him He Who Must Not Be Named or The Dark Lord or Lord Thingy or whatever.

It's just a name. In fact, it's a made up name. His real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. It's an anagram. If you re-arrange all the letters in his name it spells "I Am Lord Voldemort" And I'd like you to print his name this once so that people will be able to do the re-arranging themselves, so they'll know.

He invented a name that he hoped would strike fear into everyone. So much so that they were afraid to even say it, and in that I admit he succeeded.

But as to your original question. I didn't grow up knowing about (LV) and as such I didn't have any fear of his name when I first heard it. However I did start seeing peoples reaction when they heard it and I decided to switch to the He Who Much Not Be Named thing. But one day in my first year, a very wise Wizard heard me say He Who Must Not Be Named and he gave me the best piece of advice I've even been given.

He told me: "Call him (LV), Harry. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."

Since that day I've always called him (LV). He killed my parents, and I will name him."

ZL: (16)"Are you scared of He Who Must Not Be Named?"

HP: "Yes. I'd be a fool not to be. He's an extremely powerful and intelligent Wizard. But That's all he is, a wizard. He's not a God, and he's certainly no Lord."

ZL: (17)"What do you think about the Legend of The Boy Who Lived?"

HP: "Complete and utter bollocks! I'm sorry Mr. Lovegood, I know I told you I'd watch my language, but that's what it is. There were only four people in the house that Halloween night. Two of them, my parents, are dead. I'm the third, and (LV) was the forth.

This is the first time I've ever talked about what happened to a writer of any kind, and somehow I don't think (LV) has given any interviews either. So everyone who's written a book about me or about that night that night, is guessing."

ZL: (18)"You've been accused in the past of using dark magic. Is there any truth to these stories?"

HP: "No. Not if you mean any of the spells that the Ministry classifies as dark."

ZL: "That's a rather cryptic statement to make Harry. Could you elaborate?"

HP: "I figured that would happen if I said that. Alright, this is probably the best way to explain it. Magic in my opinion is neither dark or light. Magic is magic. It's what you do with it that makes it dark or light.

Consider this. The Avada Kedavra curse is considered the darkest curse in our world. Un-blockable, it always kills. However, if I disarmed you and used a Wingardium Leviosa to levitate you over the edge of a cliff and then canceled the spell, you fall to your death.

So what's the difference? You'd still be dead regardless of which spell I used. You see, it should be the intent of the Witch or Wizard, not the spell used.

The two "darkest" curses in existence were both originally developed for good. Avada Kedavra was originally developed because to this day, it is the only spell that will allow a single Witch or Wizard to kill a dragon.

Crucio was originally a Healers spell. It was developed to try and save people from heart attacks, but it was too powerful. Muggle healers use the same principal to re-start a stopped heart. Only they use the shock of electricity to do it.

As for the Imperius Curse, you can use it to make someone do something horrible, or stop someone from jumping off a high building and killing themselves.

Witches and Wizards should be judged by what they intended to do, not by the spell they used to do it."

ZL: (19) "What do you think about the Ministry getting involved in the running of Hogwarts?"

HP: "Bad idea. Hogwarts has gotten along just fine for 1000 years, and now Fudge decides that he knows better than the Four Founders and a millennium or history. Like I said before. He's an idiot."

ZL: (20) "Finally Harry, you've spoken about him earlier in this interview in many places, but what are your thoughts about Albus Dumbledore?"

HP: "I could say that he was the greatest wizard since Merlin. Easily the most powerful wizard I've ever met, or likely ever will meet, as well as the kindest. But just saying that would do him a great injustice.

I know this will sound more than a little sappy, but I never knew my Grandfather Mr. Lovegood. But if I could have met him, I'd like to think that he would be exactly like Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

ZL: "Thank you Harry."

HP: "Thank you Sir.