Disclaimer: I don't own any characters blah blah blah owned by JK Rowling blah blah blah don't sue me.
Each chapter is a separate one-shot.
Summary: This one will be one of the shortest fanfics posted by me. This isn't a traditional one-shot fanfic. There is no plot, no dialogue and no drama. Instead, this will be kinda like an essay about a topic related to the Harry Potter series.
Dumbledore Spiked The Lemon Drops?
Introduction: In the books, whenever Harry goes to the Headmaster's office, he is usually offered a Lemon Drop (the movies skip this part, if memory serves me right. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Harry never takes one and, from the few glimpses we have of other people in Dumbledore's office (Lucius Malfoy - CoS, Minister Fudge "Alastor Moody" - Gof, Severus Snape Minerva McGonagall Weasley children, OotP, etc.), others don't take one either.
Some fanfics offer theories that Dumbledore spikes the Lemon Drops. I intend to go through the most likely substances Dumbledore might use, under the categories of Benign (harmless), Problematic (straddles the fence), and Malevolent (harmful), with honorary mentions for other potential substances at the end.
Benign:
1) Nothing.
Nada. Zip. Zilch. Dumbledore's just a doddery old man with a sweet tooth, trying to ruin everyone else's teeth through eating sugary sweets.
Alternatively, Dumbledore could be trying to change the wizarding world's opinion about muggles through the medium of food (this has the greatest chance of success if tried on Ron). Have you ever tried to convert a friend to a new singer by playing one of their songs? Or something similar? Then you are doing what this theory suggests Dumbledore did.
2) Some kind of confidence potion or spell.
Have you ever had an important meeting where you have a speech planned, but when it's time to talk, you can't? Or you're brought up in front of an authority figure to explain something (this doesn't mean being in trouble), and you get cold feet?
Most 11 to 17-year-old students find that when it comes to speaking to a teacher, no matter their usual talkativeness, something changes. Whether in trouble and the Headmaster wants to make sure they have the full story, or the headmaster wants a student who's making a complaint to say everything they want to, giving the students' confidence levels a boost can't hurt, right?
Problematic:
1) Calming Draught.
If this were the case, Dumbledore should have been more insistent on Harry taking one in fifth year, after the debacle at the Department of Mysteries. I think Harry destroyed many of Dumbledore's possessions (some undoubtedly rare or expensive), which must have had some level of sentimental value.
However, giving a student a Calming Drought when they're indignant about something ("A teacher has Voldemort inside him / is an idiot / is a werewolf / is a disguised Death Eater / is torturing me!", etc.) could make them give up the argument quicker than they should. This could allow Dumbledore to keep on favoured teachers for a longer period.
2) Veritaserum.
Knowing who's lying and who's telling the truth when a group of students protest that "I didn't do it!" with indignation or doe eyes (whichever method the student prefers) is any teacher's dream.
Unfortunately, this could be used to make students rat others out or blab the secrets of other students or teachers they know.
Or, this could be the time to find out your students' opinions about you. Just be prepared for a few nasty surprises.
Malevolent:
1) A potion or spell to ensure total loyalty.
It would be the ultimate way to ensure your fickle allies don't turn on you. Or try to take over, relegating you to a less important role. It would, as a bonus, eliminate any risk of traitors, defectors or double agents.
2) Poison.
Giving your students poisoned sweets isn't a great way to remain Headmaster, but it is a harmless-looking way of killing your enemies. Or, this could be how Dumbledore got the rumour about the DADA position being cursed going. If you get a run of useless teachers, and your (murderous/homicidal) tendencies start flaring up, why not kill two people with one Avada Kedavra? (A.N: Hopefully, this goes without saying, but just to be sure: I AM NOT CONDONING THIS. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. I AM NOT MAKING FUN OF ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS)
Honorary Mentions (with shorter explanations):
1) Cheering potion/charm.
After all, there can never be enough joy in the world.
2) Essence of Insanity.
Making someone insane is a great way to win an argument with them.
3) Medication.
Everyone knows medicine tastes horrible. Who'd suspect a poor, tasty looking sweet of being medicine?
4) Extra sugar.
Students, fancy a couple of hours being hyper? Teachers, fancy a headache?
5) Memory altering potion.
After all, what the student can't remember, they can't accuse you of.
6) Lust / Love Potion.
Isn't a man over 150 years old allowed to have some fun in the bedroom? (A.N: Hopefully, this goes without saying, but just to be sure: I AM NOT CONDONING THIS. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. I AM NOT MAKING FUN OF ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS)
