Hey everyone,
These challenges are just rocking! I love each and everyone of them and while some may have more rules than others – as I had more chance to think of what I wanted for the stories and whatnot – do I still feel equally proud of all of my challenges and do I sincerely hope they will all find good homes with talented writers.
See yah,
Venquine1990
Challenge #11
Actual Manipulation
The events of the Night of the Third Task still have me reeling, even if it's been over a month since they transpired, yet what worries me most is what happened at the Hospital Wing when Headmaster Dumbledore, Professors Snape and McGonagall and the Minister for Magic Fudge all fought over whether or not Voldemort was back.
I had been able to understand why Fudge was denying such events from being true as Voldemort had managed to reign war, terror and destruction against Wizarding Britain for over a decade and the news of his return had come out on the same night that the biggest event in his career went terribly wrong, so I don't blame him.
Yet I do, to an extend, blame Dumbledore as the ancient Headmaster should have realized that such events had to be separated and that – while it would have given Voldemort a chance to grow in power – it would have been better if he had waited with relaying the message to Fudge until the drama of the Tournament had been laid to rest.
Still, the way that the elder man had tried to convince Fudge had worried me as his solutions to preventing the war from happening were either incomplete or were better off in his own hands as he had told Fudge to get rid of the Dementors, but not what to replace the Azkaban guards with once they had indeed been taken care off.
He had also told Fudge to send an envoy of peace to the giants, yet I still very much remember Fudge accusing Madame Maxime of attacking Crouch based on nothing more than the rumor that she has Giant Blood in her veins, which made me wonder why the headmaster had not just offered Hagrid to send the envoy instead.
I had been worried for all of this, but the shock over what had transpired during the tournament and the pain of losing a fellow student had kept me, during the rest of that year, from looking into these matters. After that, had my stay at the Dursleys limited me to the study books I had been reading for the last four years.
None of them held an answer that could explain why Dumbledore would be trying to dig his own grave like he had at the Hospital Wing and I had silently tried thinking of methods that could explain this – and all the other events that transpired during my years at Hogwarts – yet I had come up with barely any positive results.
This makes me sincerely hope to change that now that I am back in the magical world, yet the only place I can find the answers I seek is one I would rather not enter as I doubt there are really any good pieces of reading material in the Black Family Library, the family itself notoriously well known for its connections to the Dark Arts.
Still, a library means a chance to find answers and with the upcoming war and my growing worries over how Dumbledore seems to be handling the current situation of Magical England by simply awaiting the time where Voldemort will come out in the open, do I know I have to grasp onto any and every chance I can get.
Because of this, after a day of cleaning out the Drawing Room, do I sit at the dining table of Grimmauld Place 12, next to my godfather, Sirius Black and do I ask: "Sirius, can I get permission to skip the cleaning tomorrow? I need to do some extended research and I need your family's library to get the material I need for my results."
This makes everyone stop in shock, Sirius having wide eyes as he looks at me and Ron even dropping his fork with shock as he barely ever hears me being willing to do any extra studying and then Mrs. Weasley says: "Harry, I really –." But I ignore the woman and say: "It concerns someone I'm worried about, Sirius, can I?"
The woman sputters at being ignored and Sirius asks: "Are you sure you want to do research there, Harry, you know that my family is known for its love for the Dark Arts." At this I nod and say: "I know, but I've been worried about this since I left the Hospital Wing and the Muggle world just didn't have what I needed.
I – I even think that what I am searching for has a link to the Dark Arts and if I'm right, then I need a place that is filled with information about that. I don't want to practice the Dark Arts, I just want to see if I can find a solution to my problem, is all." The man nods and then turns back to his dinner, cutting his meat as he says:
"As long as you can accept that I will be in the library with you and that you won't take any books that I forbid you to. There are books in there even Dumbledore would never want to read and I don't want to take the chance that they can hurt you instead." At this I nod and smile at the man, grateful for his acceptance to my request.
A few hours later am I ready for bed when suddenly Ron asks: "What the bloody hell was all that about?" I turn to him and he asks: "Why would you want to do any more studying than necessary? And what is this about some extended project and a problem you've been worried about? Why didn't you tell us about this?"
And I calmly answer: "It's not really studying as more as an attempt to solve a problem I'm dealing with. And the reason I didn't tell you is because I didn't get worried about it until after Cedric died and when that happened I was too overwhelmed with my grief to really think about it. Now that I've grieved, do I want to solve this."
The lad looks at me shocked, but then his wide eyes turn back to normal and understanding and he nods, climbing into his own bed as he asks: "So what is this problem anyway? Anything Hermione or I can help you with?" But I shake my head, lie my glasses on the bedside table and crawl under the covers of my bed as I say:
"It's Dumbledore." This makes Ron turn to me, but I lie myself on my back and cross my fingers over my belly as I look up at the vague ceiling above me and say: "The way he handled that whole thing with Fudge in the Hospital Wing bugs me. He was practically digging his own grave with how he spoke and the plans he offered.
Replacing the Dementors? With what? I didn't hear him offer anything that could keep those crazy Azkaban Prisoners where they are, just that the Dementors couldn't be there would Voldemort try and release them. And sending an envoy to the giants? Why didn't he just offer to let Hagrid do that? He's Half Giant himself."
By now do I just know that Ron is again wide-eyed with shock over what I'm saying, yet I keep ignoring how he looks at me and say: "And then there's all the other things that have happened to us over the last four years. All of them have Dumbledore at the center of them and none of them show him in a positive light.
Yet at the same time, he is known as the greatest wizard to have ever lived, a right genius, a war expert and veteran and the most caring Headmaster Hogwarts has ever had. If he's all that, why haven't we seen that in all the years we've been going to Hogwarts? No Ron, something's up with that man and I want to find out what."
And with that, do I turn my back on my friend, feeling fearful that he will try and contradict me or try to talk me out of it and while I lie one hand under my head, do I hear Ron rustling under his own covers as he softly mutters: "You really are too observant for your own good mate, but I hope you find what you're looking for."
This makes me smile in relief, glad to know that I still have my best friend's loyalty and while fear for what I could discover tomorrow grips at my heart, do I try my hardest to beat it with the thought that – whatever I may find – I can also find the solution to the problem and with that comforting thought do I fall asleep.
The next morning do I wake up early and, after a quick shower, a healthy breakfast and a vast ignoring of Mrs. Weasley who tries to convince me to come and clean the next room with her and her kids – to which I send a pointed look at Ron, who nods and says he'll explain my case during the cleaning – do I head for the library.
Sirius is already there, the man wearing a simple pair of robes and a simple shirt under it and he says: "I already moved some of the darker books to the back on the right. Don't go there unless you want me to make you work directly with Molly for the rest of the summer." And while wondering if he's jesting, do I nod nonetheless.
The man then walks over to a small table for two that already has some books stalled onto it, some open, others closed, does he ask: "So, what's this problem of yours, kiddo?" And I sit down on the table, reading some of the titles of those stalled closed as I explain him the same stuff I did Ron the night before.
The man sits down as he hears my explanation, his face grim and serious and with the occasional nod here and there, does he listen and when I end: "I have to, if only to make sure he stops waiting for Voldemort to make a move. That madman is using this time in the dark to gather allies and the whole Order knows it."
The man nods and says: "I will admit that Albus' current approach of the situation is highly different from how he acted in the last war, but –." But I shake my head and say: "No buts, Sirius, what Dumbledore did at the Hospital Wing was wrong and soon all of England will have to pay the price for that. We can't let that happen."
The man sighs and asks: "Must you be so responsible?" To which I cringe and whisper: "I – I don't want to be, but –." And instantly the man seems to understand as he says: "But if you can't even rely on the best wizard known to men, who can you rely on, huh?" And while hating myself, do I nod my head in agreement.
The man nods and says: "Let's go find out what's ailing that man." At this I smile, glad that Sirius doesn't feel like lingering on this subject and I ask: "Is there anything that happened in the last fourteen years? Anything out of the ordinary or extraordinary enough to reach the paper? Maybe during the last war?"
At this the man laughs and says: "With Dumbledore, all the time. But when it comes to that final question – I might know something." And with a thoughtful humming sound coming from his throat does the man rise up from his seat and disappear between the racks and aisles of bookcases on the left of our table.
Looking from where the man vanished to the books he stalled out, do I dismiss some of them as they are clearly more than thirty to fifty years old – and haven't been updated since – and instead do I focus on a single small book that Sirius pulled out that's called techniques and ailments of the mind by Andrew Mendskin.
Reading some of the spells that can make the mind go off course or even make someone forget how to pull on a pair of socks, do I wonder if I perhaps picked the wrong book, while at the same time trying to push back on the nagging thought in the back of my mind that reminds me of my Third year End of the Year visit to the Hospital Wing.
Then suddenly Sirius comes back and hands me – to my unexpected surprise – a newspaper article clipping with a picture showing a destroyed area with two wizards showing on the picture, one of them standing the other lying on the floor. Feeling curious over why Sirius showed me this, do I turn to the man and humor him:
"What's with you and newspaper clippings?" Making the man send me a playful glare as he says: "Just read the damned thing. It's about the last known fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort, two months after you were born. I think the answer might be in the end of that article." This intrigues me and I hurriedly read:
Ferocious fight
Dumbledore vs. You-Know-Who
If you are reading this then you have missed what could very well be described as the battle of the century. Albus Dumbledore was challenged by none other than You-Know-Who himself, the two men being the only ones that apparently knew why the Dark Lord suddenly challenged the one man he feared attacking for the last decade.
The fight was actually to take place on one of the mountains of Hogwarts, in the South West of the amazing castle on a small ten by ten foot platform sticking out of the mountain, but – as depicted below – did neither of these two powerful masters of magic leave much of the rest of the mountain above them standing.
Yes, this ragged, destroyed platform with its roughed-up landscape, its jagged flooring and all the spikes and grooves that you see surrounding the footing of the mighty Dumbledore and the still-breathing body of the Darkest Wizard known to men was once a proud, majestic mountain, one of many surrounding Hogwarts.
This reporter may not have seen the entire fight, ladies and gentlemen, but I was definitely a proud witness to how Dumbledore actually used the mountain itself to bring Voldemort to his knees and how he used actual wandless magic to push the Dark Lord even further down, making him lie down as you can see on my taken photo.
The man, after this, spoke words that he apparently charmed not to be heard by any but his adversary and turned, with the clear intention of returning to the School over which he precedes, yet this was a grave mistake as You-Know-Who actually cast one last curse on Dumbledore's back before using the last of his magic to vanish from sight.
Dumbledore, upon being hit, showed no signs of injury or even that he could have been hit with a fatal curse, yet the man took no precautions whatsoever and instantly returned to the Hospital Wing of his beloved School, where Madam Prescure declared that the spell cast by You-Know-Who is completely unknown to her knowledge.
This all took place little over an hour ago and so far Dumbledore has shown no signs whatsoever that his magic, his mindscape, his determination to end the war or his being has suffered from whatever You-Know-Who Cast at him and this reporter can only surmise that it was a desperate attempt of a wizard that failed his dueling goal.
Amazed at what I'm reading, do I again feel that nagging voice gaining power, telling me to think back on that memory and when I do, do my eyes widen and does my stomach pretty much disappear as I turn to the man beside me, Sirius' curiously raised eyebrow being replaced by a worried frown as I – with dread in my voice – ask:
"Sirius, when did Confundus spells get discovered?" And that one question, one I almost whisper silently as I just don't want to word it at all, rings through the silent library like an echoing shout as the man before me sags down with utter shock, his eyes widening as he realizes the same thing I did upon reviewing that memory.
Bloody hell!
OKAY, be honest! Who ever thought of Dumbledore being manipulated into committing all the acts that he did? I mean, really, at some point during all the years since Halloween that he looked over Harry, he must have realized that what he was doing was wrong, right? Wrong, if he was manipulated – instead of being the manipulator.
I mean, really, almost every story where Harry becomes independent, where he breaks free of his fame and the attention it gives him, where he rebels against what people want of him, you always have Dumbledore as the main character that looks to be more dark, evil and manipulating than even Voldemort himself.
That subject is so clichéd it actually turns interesting again, yet all those that try and use it, often find themselves falling back on things that have already been used – either by themselves or by others – and I thought it was about high time for a new look at the whole Manipulation and Dumbledore scenario.
Here are the rules:
Manipulated!Dumbledore
Dumbledore must have been cursed because he told Voldemort he did not believe in the content of the Cannon Prophesy
Harry discovering the manipulation
Sirius and the Order ending the Manipulation
Dumbledore taking actions to change things for the better
Harry and Sirius getting the lives they deserve thanks to Dumbledore
Fudge seeing sense in his actions thanks to Dumbledore
Voldemort being defeated by Dumbledore – whether directly or not is up to you
Voldemort meeting his end before the start of fifth year
Guidelines:
Harry getting an inheritance check
Sirius adopting Harry
The Daily Prophet siding with Dumbledore
Dumbledore using some form of extendable magic to take down Voldemort – magic that isn't entirely his so he can't be faulted for murder.
The Order aiding Dumbledore in making things better
Members of the Ministry aiding Dumbledore in making things better
Members of Gringotts siding with Dumbledore to make things better
Members of the Order being spies and keeping up the spell for all the years it had been cast.
Voldemort attempting to take advantage of Dumbledore before/after the spell has been broken
A new Prophesy being created about Dumbledore defeating Voldemort after the spell is broken.
A spy in the Order recasting the spell – this can be done, but the attempt MUST fail.
Forbidden:
Dumbledore keeping the charm on
Dumbledore not being cursed, but truly evil
Harry not discovering what ails his Headmaster
Order members refusing to take the spell off of Dumbledore – unless they are spies of Voldemort
Voldemort recasting the spell
Fudge recasting the spell
Fudge using the spell to gain control of Hogwarts
Fudge using the spell to try and defeat Dumbledore
Dumbledore getting ill/dying after the spell is removed
Voldemort winning the war
Dumbledore believing in the prophesy
Snape being the spy – read the guidelines
Okay, enjoy,
Venquine1990