Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Assignment #2 - Cryptology (Codes Throughout History)
Task #13 - The Ave Maria Code: Write about being fired, or forced out of a job.
Warnings: minor character death, immorality

Further prompts are at the end.

Word Count: 625

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its associated universe belongs to J.K. Rowling, and not me.


"Maybe we should rebel against the crown? That would make our day less boring."

"Hah," Tom snorts. "Funny."

Harry frowns at him. "I'm being serious."

"…Have you forgotten that we are the crown?"

"It'll be like, like those games Rodolphus keeps talking about, to help them train, those…"

"War games?" Tom offers.

"Yes! That!"

"You want to make a war game… in which we organize a rebellion… against ourselves."

Harry nods eagerly.

"Something tells me this plan of yours is going to end so badly."

"Hey!" Harry protests. "It'll be good practice, for everyone - I think some people have gotten lazy, since it's been so long since the war. I could lead one side, and you could lead the other, and it'll be like a chess game! Plus," he adds, "we could see who's really loyal to you, and who'll jump at the chance of a rebellion."

There's a glint in Tom's eyes now, and Harry can see him reconsidering the plan.

"So?"

"I'll consider it," Tom allows - which, of course, means yes.

Two weeks later, Dumbledore's Army is formed.

"Really? Dumbledore?" Tom grumbles, the next time they see each other - which is several we later, because who knew running a rebellion would be so time-consuming?

"He's a symbol," Harry explains, "and what else would you have me call it? Potter's Army? The Order of the Phoenix 2? The Death Eaters Are Morons? That was actually an idea that came up."

"Of course it was. Now are you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?" Harry asks innocently.

"Tell me who the traitors are."

"Of course not," Harry declares, then tries to stifle his giggles at Tom's resulting glare. "Where's the fun in that?"

The next day, the strung-up bodies of at least a dozen rebels decorate the capitol.

"I didn't know we'd take it this far," Harry tells Tom worriedly. "Those were some of my friends."

"Weren't you the one who wanted to make it authentic?"

A month later, the rebels burn the government building of the west province to the ground, and establish a new democracy in its place. The democracy only lasts for five days, of course, before capitol reinforcements come and end the new administration, but to many, it's a sign of hope, that maybe, the peoples' voices will be heard.

Effigies of Lord Voldemort are burned, across the country, the next night.

"They didn't even look like me," Tom complains.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Battles are fought, the sheer numbers of the rebels with the support of the people against the well-trained but few loyal soldiers of the monarchy, and in three years the rebel forces stand at the gates of the palace, ready to win.

Harry's ready, too.

"You're actually going to overthrow me?"

"Well," Harry says hesitantly, "there's not really any other option, is there? No one's going to believe some miraculous turn of the tides, and besides, democracies are all the rage right now. This is what the people want. Maybe it's better this way."

Tom only glares.

"You'll still be in charge? You can be the First Gentleman?" Harry offers.

But as the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Gryffindor approaches, news of attacks from the south - Hufflepuff Nation, led by their beloved Queen Amelia, has decided to take advantage of Gryffindor's instability to invade. And the recent civil war is, in this case, detrimental to Gryffindor's military capabilities. By the end of two years, the armies of Gryffindor are no more.

The general of the Hufflepuff army himself comes to negotiate Gryffindor's surrender.

"Really?" Harry groans. "You went to Hufflepuff?"

Tom grins at him. "It'll be good practice - foreign involvement is especially problematic in a democracy."


Winter Seasonal Challenges
Days of the Year & Religious Events: March 16th - Tea for Two Tuesday: Write a fic with only two characters
Black History Month: Muhammad Ali: Write about someone who might be considered "the greatest" at something.
National Weddings Month: (word) Marriage
Flowers: Witch Hazel: (dialogue) "Something tells me this plan of yours is going to end so badly."
Crystals & Gemstones: Watermelon Tourmaline: (word) Rejuvenation
But Can You Spell It? F - (restriction) Write something you wouldn't have written when you first started writing fanfiction

Writing Club: February
Character Appreciation: Word: Withdraw
Record Collection: You Will Be In My Heart, Phil Collins: Write about a long distance relationship.
Written in the Stars: (word) aloof
Book Club: Tobias: (trait) intelligent, (plot point) a competition, (word) ambition
Showtime: Ex Wives: (word) history
Elizabeth's Empire: (plot point) cuddling
Liza's Loves: Warlock - Write about someone making a deal
Angel's Archive: R - (genre) Romance
Scamander's Case: (word) rumor
Lyric Alley: Blood on my shirt, rose in my hand
The Forecast Says… 23rd: Snow: Adventurous
EnTitled: Dead Man's Blood - Write about negotiating something - alt - write about the strength in family (can be found family)
Gen's World Tour: Mother Theresa - a Catholic saint, she devoted her adult life to serving the community of Calcutta, requiring members of her missionary to pledge "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor" - [prompt] Write about poverty (being poor, working with the poor, etc)

Would You Rather? Write a m/m pairing OR a f/f pairing?

You Get My Love: Romantic - (plot point) a proposal

Stop! Hamper Time: Cakes: Words - Blueberry Muffins: Illusion

Stickers Club: Harry Potter - Write about something unintentional

Resolution Evolution: Write - Write a fic that does not exceeds 1.5k words

Fantasy February: Day Four - Dialogue: "Maybe we should rebel against the crown? That would make our day less boring."

365: (au) politician
Scamander's Case: Pick one of the following prompts, and write a fluffy fic with it: Dementors / "I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest." / losing a loved one.
Fantastic Beasts: Anggitay - Scenario: Write about someone losing something precious to them/to someone else.