Chapter 11 Mirror
Percy paced his cell in Azkaban. There only wizard guards now, no more Dementors. He could hardly have felt worse if there had been. His family had been right. He had been a fool to give his loyalty to Fudge and a fool to suspect Dumbledore.
By his own arrogant self-righteousness he had alienated friends and family, pushed them away to such a distance that they weren' t likely to detect that the imposter wasn't him. Worse, he hadn't been able to get the word out about Tonks/Umbridge. People he cared about were in danger from her and he couldn't warn them.
There was a sound at the door. A package was pushed through the slot that they used to deliver his meals. Percy ran and picked it up. It was wrapped in plain brown paper and it had a note on it: "I thought you might like a book to pass the time. Dawlish."
Percy tore open the package. The book was "Prefects Who Gained Power." He threw it to the floor and stomped on it.
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Dumbledore walked down the hall to the locked room where he kept the Mirror of Erised. He knew it wasn't a good idea, but once a month he permitted himself this indulgence.
After all, what he desired was possible according to the prophecy. He thought again about the last line, a line that he had hidden from everyone by splicing over phrases from earlier in Trelawney's prediction. "THE UNHAPPY CHILD SHALL VANQUISH THE OTHER... AND THE LEADER OF THE VICTOR'S SIDE SHALL RULE THE WORLD."
It still wasn't certain. Dumbledore had ensured that Harry Potter fit the prophecy by leaving him with the Dursleys, but Tom Riddle had also had an unhappy childhood. Voldemort might still win and rule. But if Harry Potter won, the leader of the victor's side would be none other than Dumbledore himself.
Dumbledore had promised the centaurs equal treatment and respect. He had obliviated the memory of Dolores Umbridge because she had heard that promise. He wanted equality for all the magical races: centaurs, elves, goblins, and giants alike. It seemed to him there was only one way to ensure that it happened.
He opened the door and gazed into the Mirror. In his left hand he was holding a pair of thick, woolen socks. In his right hand -- a scepter.
THE END
Postscript: This story may be considered a prequel to "Home Free", so if you would like to find out more of what happens next, check out that story.
Percy paced his cell in Azkaban. There only wizard guards now, no more Dementors. He could hardly have felt worse if there had been. His family had been right. He had been a fool to give his loyalty to Fudge and a fool to suspect Dumbledore.
By his own arrogant self-righteousness he had alienated friends and family, pushed them away to such a distance that they weren' t likely to detect that the imposter wasn't him. Worse, he hadn't been able to get the word out about Tonks/Umbridge. People he cared about were in danger from her and he couldn't warn them.
There was a sound at the door. A package was pushed through the slot that they used to deliver his meals. Percy ran and picked it up. It was wrapped in plain brown paper and it had a note on it: "I thought you might like a book to pass the time. Dawlish."
Percy tore open the package. The book was "Prefects Who Gained Power." He threw it to the floor and stomped on it.
---------
Dumbledore walked down the hall to the locked room where he kept the Mirror of Erised. He knew it wasn't a good idea, but once a month he permitted himself this indulgence.
After all, what he desired was possible according to the prophecy. He thought again about the last line, a line that he had hidden from everyone by splicing over phrases from earlier in Trelawney's prediction. "THE UNHAPPY CHILD SHALL VANQUISH THE OTHER... AND THE LEADER OF THE VICTOR'S SIDE SHALL RULE THE WORLD."
It still wasn't certain. Dumbledore had ensured that Harry Potter fit the prophecy by leaving him with the Dursleys, but Tom Riddle had also had an unhappy childhood. Voldemort might still win and rule. But if Harry Potter won, the leader of the victor's side would be none other than Dumbledore himself.
Dumbledore had promised the centaurs equal treatment and respect. He had obliviated the memory of Dolores Umbridge because she had heard that promise. He wanted equality for all the magical races: centaurs, elves, goblins, and giants alike. It seemed to him there was only one way to ensure that it happened.
He opened the door and gazed into the Mirror. In his left hand he was holding a pair of thick, woolen socks. In his right hand -- a scepter.
THE END
Postscript: This story may be considered a prequel to "Home Free", so if you would like to find out more of what happens next, check out that story.