Omake for "Rise of the Wizards", Chp 9 (Story id = 6254783)
A/N: "Rise" is about how a small error in communication and a bit of paranoia can lead to unfortunate consequences. Thing is, Dumbledore has a bit of a history with this sort of thing... first Tom, Than Harry, then...
(May 2, 1997)
Albus Dumbledore stood before the enraged teen. His office long since completely destroyed, along with the entire 7th floor of the castle.
"No Harry, You don't understand. The abuse by the Dursleys, the betrayal by Remus, Miss Granger and the Weasleys, the secret Order surveillance. Everything I have done has been for the greater good."
Harry looked at Dumbledore with tired and dead eyes. He'd given everything he had to the "Light" and what had it gotten him. Maybe Tom had the right of it all along.
"CRUCIO!"
(July 31, 2020)
Dick Farthing sat on his bed and spoke to an ancient man in the stange robes and the long white beard.
"So to recap: I am a wizard. People call me 'The Boy Who Will Save' and I have to vanquish two Dark Lords."
"Yes, my dear Boy"
"Ok. Now the first Dark Lord was your student, the Heir of Slytherin, but he went mad when you wouldn't protect him from muggle bullies; he believed you were setting him up as a patsy in your fight with Grindlewald. The second Dark Lord was your student, the Heir of Slytherin and Gryffindor, the 'Boy Who Lived,' and HE went mad when you wouldn't protect him from muggle bullies, Slytherin bullies, Ministry bullies and yellow journalists; and HE believed that you set him up as a patsy in your fight with Voldemort, tried to steal his wealth, and enslave him to false friends who were really your agents."
"Exactly. Oh my Boy you are a quick one!"
"Thank you. OK, now both of these boys were highly paranoid because of their abusive muggle upbringing, and mis-construed your well intentioned concern for their happiness as Evil Svengalian manipulation to turn them into your willing puppets. It was all a big misunderstanding."
"Exactly! 100 points to Gryffindor!"
"But I haven't been sorted yet."
"No matter, I know about these things. Yes-Gryffindor, you will do well in red. It is a shame about your unkind foster family, but family is family, and we must always hope for the best. Love is that which suffers quietly for the grace of others. We can only hope that they see the light and one day become the loving parents I envisioned when I placed you with them 10 years ago."
Dick looked up sharply. This old geezer stuck him here with these damn bastards. Years of being screamed at and beaten, beging bullied by these muggles, just like those two so-called dark lords. All because one senile old bastard with a Gandalf fetish feels the need to play God by leaving powerful young wizards to be abused by evil muggles. Well, third time's the charm. Best to nip this in the bud now before this lunatic destroys another wizard's childhood. Perhaps it wasn't too late to join forces witht he older Dark Lords and take the bastard out.
"Oh that was you? I...see. Well then, I would be happy to attend your school in September. By any chance do you have a spare owl? In case I have any questions or some such. After all, forewarned is forearmed."
