AlsethGosia, hahahah no, you're not. :P Maybe on a next glimpse of Hermione's timeline you get the information that will help you get closer to the truth XD
It would have more of their interactions if I had finished this lesson sooner lol Sorry...
Wow! I'm imagining the shock to suddenly have to picture Bellatrix so tall hahah
I'm not so sure about slowly, anymore hahah xD Here's the missing part of the last chapter.
Chapter XVII - A lesson on Dark Magic
Hermione was in a good mood, her students entered the role of Aurors in training, the serious look in their faces when they came into the room amused her to no end, it was a sight to see. With protegos ready, they came into the room prepared for any attack. Those who paired up, walked towards their chairs with a back-to-back formation... One guiding the way, the other watching Hermione's movements.
Silly as it was, it proved that they were taking her lessons to heart. Hermione had to admit, she was proud of them.
The best was when Yudi entered the room alone, and walked backwards with his eyes squinted, and protego raised. Camila's voice guided him to his usual chair beside her, and Molly got up to cover for him while he took down the curse on it.
The cheers that came when he managed to get rid of the curse and sit unharmed was so loud, and so full of joy, it gave her flashback of quidditch matches, when people cheered for their team when they scored.
It really was too much fun teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"That's what I want to see! I'm proud, guys!" There was a bright smile on her face as she got up from her resting position against the desk.
Cheering's went around again, and she allowed them that moment to celebrate their small victory... Just a moment. Because she launched dozens of spells, hoping to catch some of them unaware to keep them on their toes.
To her utter surprise, Bellatrix was the one who covered for a distracted Francine Canyon, that seemed locked in a silent conversation with Rodolphus. A smug smile and a raised chin were all the answer she received from Bellatrix when a questioning look was sent in her direction. So now she's going to cover for her classmates? She smiled back, showing her appreciation for the team effort.
"Alright, Alright, settle down!" She asked, when those who were hit by her rather mild casting of petrificus totallus recovered.
They were, once more, with serious looks on their faces. Like a small army being drilled by their sergeant. She would have laughed again, if there wasn't a need for them to keep this kind of focus. The amused professor limited herself to a small smile.
"Now that you're getting the hang of constant vigilance and precaution..." She went back to the board and drew an arrow pointing left, just beside the first topic she was going to be talking about.
Dark x Evil: What is the difference?
"I'd like you all to reflect a bit on what you're going to be fighting out there... And what you need to have on your arsenal to defeat it." Hermione faced the class again, pointing with her thumb at the question on the board "Can any of you tell me the difference between Dark and Evil?"
Molly's hand shot up so fast Hermione felt compelled to give her priority over Alecto's half-hearted attempt to raise her hand.
"Ms. Prewett."
"That's a trick question, Professor."
Hermione frowned "How so?"
There was a proud smile of someone who was sure of their answer "There's no difference. Dark is called that because it is evil."
Hermione moved her neck forwards, tilted her head to the left, and pressed her lips together in a very clear expression of 'I don't think so' "I'm afraid that you got it wrong, Ms. Prewett; This is not a trick question. There is a difference... Ms. Carrow?"
She nodded towards the other girl who raised her hand again, now that she saw that her opportunity to answer wasn't lost. Molly was clearly confused, and by the look on her face, she couldn't accept the fact that she was wrong. Hermione ignored her for the moment, to pay attention to the girl with strawberry-blonde hair fixed in a tight bun on the top of her head.
"Dark magic is not necessarily evil. Just because some evil people prefer to use dark magic because it is more powerful and dangerous, the dark branch of magic cannot be considered all evil."
"Of course, you'd say that. Your parents make a living selling evil artifacts!"
With the way Alecto's face twisted in an ugly sneer, Hermione could see that things would get out of control if she didn't cut this off. Before the girl could say anything that would lead to a real fight, Hermione interfered "Five points to Slytherin. That's correct Ms. Carrow. Ms. Prewett, I'll ask you to keep your arguments focused on the topic we're discussing. I don't see how Ms. Carrow's parents work changes the objective truth that Dark doesn't mean Evil."
Both girls seemed taken aback. Although Alecto seemed to recover first, settling into her usual mask of indiference. Hermione could swear she was fighting a smile, though.
"But Professor... You can't be serious... Avada Kedavra, Crucio, Imperio..." Molly was still too shocked to form a proper sentence.
"Are not the only spells that exist in the dark branch of magic, and even if they were, they cannot be considered evil alone. Without intent they cannot work, and if a spell doesn't work without intent, can you really blame the spells?" She didn't have an answer for that, but still seemed offended with the question.
"If I cowardly wait for you to turn your backs, attack you with a silent petrificus totallus, and slit your throat with diffindo... Am I not evil, because I didn't use dark magic?"
Silence. Her students seemed to be confused and pondering her words at the same time. She needed to make it clear: Any magic is dangerous in the hands of an evil intended person.
She gave them a time to chew on what she said.
Suddenly, Liam Timerpen raised his hand, and she nodded at him "Yes, Mr. Timerpen."
"I understand. It doesn't take dark magic to do something... despicable. But if there are spells that depends entirely on evil intent to work, why can't we say that it is evil? I mean... If Avada is made to kill... How is that not evil?"
"That's a good question Mr. Timerpen." She walked to the front of the class, to rest against her desk much like she was before they all settled in their chairs. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, while she crossed one leg over the other. "But the intent to kill comes from many different feelings. Not only someone ill intended is capable of murder. Fear is a great motivator. Even a sense of duty... You don't have to want a person dead to kill." Instead of pacing around, her hands were used to gesticulate as she spoke. Her line of thoughs moved more fluidly that way...
"The reason why we can't say that a spell is evil is because no spell is possible without the intent behind it. And I assure you, if a person uses their magic to hurt just because they can, they are no further away from evil intent than someone who uses cruciatus. It doesn't matter if 'it's just a stinging hex' if a person does it just because they want to hurt, they are bordering evil intent. It doesn't matter the intensity, pain is pain. And taking pleasure in other people's distress is something that is not associated to the spell a person uses. The intent is what dictates the nature of the spell. And if it's evil or not... It depends on the person... Not on 'what branch it falls on'."
A sudden red flash flew her way, and taking a page out of her attacker's book, she quickly dodged it, letting the spell hit the board behind her. It didn't sound like there was much destruction behind her, the small snap she heard gave the impression that the spell bounced off the wood. "Isn't that right, Ms. Black?"
Bellatrix looked bothered by something. Hermione could never guess what, though.
I'm not evil... Her breathing came shorter and quicker. She had to get a hold of herself. She had to occlude, but her thoughts were out of control. It bombarded her with all the times she targeted other students just because she could... Just for some laughs... All the times she needed an outlet for all the discomfort she felt building inside, how she wanted to make other people feel as bad as she did... No... I don't go out of my way to hurt random people... Only those who deserve it... I'm not... I'm not evil... If they left me alone... They wouldn't suffer.
"So, we're all evil here?" By a miracle she managed to keep her voice level and hide her feelings behind that well practiced mask of distaste. When that redhead sitting on the second row, to her left, turned towards her with that accusative disdain showing on her face, she snapped "Don't you even start, Prewett. You're no fuc- freaking saint! How many times have you used balding hexes on my housemates just for the giggles?" A fight is what she needed to get her mind out of the stupid replays of all the times where she didn't need to hurt anyone but did so just because she could.
"And how many of my housemates you've send to the infirmary unable to walk or speak or unconscious?"
Bellatrix smirked, focusing completely on the vindictive feeling of those occurrences. Not acknowledging the feeling that twisted her gut with the thought that she was in the wrong. Because she wasn't. "Oh... poor innocent people who didn't do anything to deserve it. They hadn't maybe tried to invade my space... or tried to hit me with a spell of their own. Or laughed as I passed. Or tried to make fun of my sister because she cried in front of her boggart... So innocent, and not malicious at all..." Her mocking sweet voice made the other girl get as red as her hair.
"You hurt us!" Camila Campbell, Molly's trusty mudcarpet, looked at Bellatrix as if what she was saying was unbelievable. "You literally were one step away from actually killing Fabien last time you 'paid back' one of his pranks. You're trying to compare our pranks against your overreactions?"
"Whimpy losers, can't take a hit without going to mama lion crying about it. Where's the bravery?" Rodolphus' remark made her laugh. Out of all people who could complain about her being hurtful, he was at the top of the list. That's what made this so amusing for her.
"You cowardly snakes only know how to play dirty! Why don't you ever start a fair fight?" Molly said as if that was a clever comeback. Fury doesn't look good on her, especially since she got all red on the face, as if she was a hot pepper.
"It's never uncalled for. And the only dumb ones who do things to get caught are you stupid scaredy cats. Didn't you hear the professor?" She mocked, also sending a malicious smile in the woman's direction, before focusing on Molly again "Pain is pain. So, if I'm evil, you are too. It doesn't matter of you aren't skilled enough to do half the things I do!"
"You-"
"Enough!" Jean's voice cut through their discussion "Keep this up and I'll deduct thirty points from all of you."
Not wanting to lose a whole sixty points, Molly and Camila sent her a heated glare, which Bellatrix made sure to retribute in kind. Imagining all the ways she could hurt those girls...
I'm... Not... EVIL!
"And answering your question, Ms. Black... I don't believe that any of you is evil. When I said hurt, I meant in the sense of torture, not vindication. I can understand the feeling of wanting to hurt someone you think has wronged you. I'm not saying it's right, whatever it is that you have done, but it doesn't make you evil." There was something in the woman's eyes that made Bellatrix wonder what she wasn't saying.
Still... Bellatrix' worries were somewhat eased. It surprised her how much Jean's words mattered... She's the enemy. Maybe it was precisely because of that. If her enemy didn't think she is evil... well, it said a lot. She started to breath more evenly.
"When I say evil, I mean incapable of empathy. Uncaring. How many negative emotions must a person be holding inside to mean every Avada Kedavra that leaves their mouth? To manage to cast a cruciatus on a complete stranger?"
Bellatrix wondered that too... I'm not evil...
"This puts us on the next topic of what I want to talk about. Can you tell me the difference between want and need?" Jean nodded towards Bellatrix, who took a deep breath to recompose, and speak in a way that didn't make her sound like a pathetic emotional girl...
She shrugged as if having her thoughts heard wasn't important to her "Want is something that comes from within. Need is unrelated to what the person necessarily wants. I need food to survive... But if I want to eat something sweet or salty it's a choice... There's the difference."
"Couldn't have put it better myself." With her words, she soothed Bellatrix' worries. But with her smile... That fucking smile... She made her chest hurt in a way that wasn't entirely unpleasant. It's not annoyance anymore... But she couldn't recognize the feeling, nor what to do about it. "If the situation calls for it, and I cast an Avada because I need to, isn't it different from throwing that spell around because I want to?" Of course, it is! That's my point all along! Bellatrix let out satisfied silent laugh trough her nose when she noticed Molly seething with their professor's question.
"The intent is the same!" The furious girl exclaimed.
"If the intent is the same, is there a difference between casting Avada Kedavra, or Bombarda to kill?" Nope. She was trying very hard to hold back her smile. Her lips, cheek and chin tensed with the effort.
"One is dark the other isn't! There's the difference!" Molly raised her voice, once more seemingly completely vexed by the whole discussion.
"Ok. But one doesn't work without intent, and the other will kill despite your intention. In the end, what is more dangerous? Something that doesn't work when you don't want it to, or something that if you wave your wand the wrong way might burst someone wide open?"
BAM! Try to refute that, idiotic Gryffindors. Unable to hold the smile anymore, she started to see that woman in a completely different light. Ms. Grey didn't seem to be discouraging the dark arts at all, now Bellatrix tried to understand what her angle was.
She does not shy away from true power. What is the part she'd play in Dumbledore's plan, then? To sustain their ideals, they'd have to level the field for muggleborns. What is the point of promoting equality, if they do not forbid the purebloods from practicing the arts that makes them superior?
"You are saying that it is better to have the intention to kill?" Molly asked again, still completely put off by Professor Gray's lecture. She is either too dumb or is purposefully missing the point just to argue some more... Wait... that's dumb too. Her shoulders shook with her silent laugh.
"I'm saying that evil intent is not caused by the spells we use. Pay attention, Ms. Prewett, because there's something important I need you to understand..."
Jean Grey waved her hand, and the chalk went to do the work for her. She didn't even bat an eyelash. Look at that power... No wonder Andie is amazed.
- Arrow conjuring.
- Bombarda (Maxima).
- Diffindo.
- Incendio.
As the professor stared more at the Gryffindor's side of the room, Bellatrix felt an unexplainable sense of satisfaction. There was such determination in those eyes, while she unknowingly defended Bellatrix' points, against the imbecile self-righteous muggle-lovers. But aren't they the people on her side? Why is she doing this?
"These simple spells are just as deadly as an Avada. There are many more of those in the book that aren't dark. Magic can be dangerous. Dark or otherwise."
"These can be easily deflected! Not to mention healed!" Now it was pompous Dorian who interjected, making Bellatrix roll her eyes. Fucking Gryffindors in denial... Just accept that you are wrong! "You are comparing them to the unforgivables, but Avada Kedavra cannot be blocked by any magical shield!"
"Not one magical, but any physical barrier can hold off an Avada." With no word for incantation, she made her desk malleable, held in front of her like a shield, and turned it into stone with a simple Duro spell. Still no words came from her, and Bellatrix knew for a fact that no Avada would be able to hit her. That's a useful defence to learn, when you don't have walls to hide behind. That's brilliant! And look at that transfiguration technique... she understands, too! She commands magic... "Not to mention that Avada is a much slower spell, you can evade if you're aware of it."
Placing the desk in its original position and organizing her objects with a wave of her wand as if it was no big deal, she faced them with a reluctant expression on her face. Bella didn't like her looking so unsure of herself. Not after that demonstration of advanced magic. They are fucking wrong! Show them! "I'm not saying that Avada Kedavra is a spell to take lightly, or that people should go around using it. I'm just trying to make you aware of the real situation out there. There are worse things than the unforgivables. And it all depends on a person's intent."
A chalk floated to point at the third topic...
Evil Intent: Beware of the signs.
"If you want to be the one who makes it to the end of a battle, you will do what you need to survive..."
"That's so..." Molly started with disgust.
"Slytherin..." Bellatrix completed, with a much more admiring tone of voice. "You Gryffindors could do with that lesson of survival." She smiled, knowing how that show of amusement would piss her off.
Professor Grey didn't let them go at each other again. Continuing her lesson with that forceful tone of voice it never failed to get attention. The warning in those eyes would shut them up, if their own will to listen to her didn't.
"But you should be aware, that if you do want to use dark magic for that... First you should know yourself, know your intentions." This time the professor faced her side of the room. If Bella didn't know any better, she'd think that Professor Grey was speaking directly to her. But she kept looking alternately between each Slytherin, so Bellatrix could take no such conclusion. "You don't enter a dark cave without a light. What lies beyond may be your demise. The same can be said about the dark arts."
Ah, there it is, the cautionary tale. The disappointment hit harder. Bellatrix sighed, feeling extremely annoyed with herself. Why do I keep expecting her to be different? Well, she just started to admire the traitor. That's why. She's a manipulative liar, remember that Bellatrix!Fucking remember...
"Your conscience will be your guiding light. Don't start delving into those arts without knowing yourself first. Don't hide from the dark inside yourselves, face it. See if your reasons for learning such magic are legitimately for what you may need, not because of what you want. Selfish goals... power for the sake of power has a corruptive influence even on the most well intended hearts."
Either way... Bella couldn't help but find some value in her words. It wasn't said that they shouldn't learn. Only that they should be careful about it. And... That was some sound advice. If the dark arts were something to take lightly, it wouldn't be closely guarded secrets between families, people wouldn't use those arts for such awful acts of cruelty...
"You speak as if you know it, Professor." Amelia Bones had a slight accusative tone in her voice, and Bellatrix realized that it really sounded like something the woman spoke from experience. What's that about?
"It's in our History. Or haven't any of you heard of Gellert Grindewald?"
Of course... And in her father's opinion, it was a shame the fact that he didn't succeed. He believed that it was one of his predecessor's greatest mistakes, not to support a man like him. If it was a possibility, the Black house would certainly support him now...
Suddenly she didn't feel so disappointed... She felt curious. "You think Grindelwald was well intended?"
"No. I think that people with good intentions believed in him. No one can get as far as he did without support. And it's not only supremacists that dislike the statute of secrecy..."
Gellert Grindelwald spoke the truth. For her professor to call him a supremacist, it confirmed her suspicion that she truly believed in Dumbledore's idiotic notion of equality. It was even more blatant when she looked at Camila Campbell to continue the lecture. As if that Mudblood would have any idea of what she was talking about. Bellatrix bets that this girl doesn't know enough about wizarding history to remember the facts that lead to Grindelwald's ascension and demise.
To Bellatrix' surprise, it wasn't about Gellert that she would talk about.
"There were times I hated how I couldn't even practice in my own house. Of course, I could talk about some things with my parents, but without showing what I meant, I felt as though they couldn't really comprehend all the wonderful things that it's possible with magic." Campbell had this awed look on her face, as if she knew exactly what their professor was talking about. Why does she insist on pretending to be a mudblood? Giving false hope to mudbloods will not help them get any stronger! "It feels like living a double life... Doesn't it?"
"It does! Sometimes I wonder... if my parents already know that I'm a witch, why does the ministry forbid us underage wizards from practicing things we already learned at school? It's not like I'd walk down the street with my wand raised casting fireworks for anyone to see... And really, they like to pretend that no wizarding child practice magic before adulthood, but come on... We all know what they're up to around here."
That breathy, carefree laugh lit a small, almost unnoticeable spark in Bellatrix' chest, usually the tell-tale of a possible battle. What the... I'm not about to start a duel!
...She sent one spell in her professor's direction, only to have the woman redirect it towards her, and have Bellatrix cast protego quickly to defend herself again. There it was. That lit fireplace in her chest had an explanation now. Battle. It was the only thing that made her feel alive.
Bellatrix gathered that she would feel better if her chest would stop bothering her every time that woman smiled.
"So frustrating, right?" She kept talking as if no altercation happened, despite the other student's clear shock and questioning stares being traded between Bellatrix herself and their professor "Especially when accidents happen at home and you know you could fix it with basic spells, but we have to watch our parents cracking their heads to glue broken things together. I swear, I almost risked Azkaban once, to fix my mother's precious, porcelain tea set."
The total of five muggleborns in that class laughed along, and for the first time, Bellatrix wondered... How long did she live amongst muggles to learn so much about their lives? No pureblood had so many insights of muggle life... How come she has such knowledge?
"Anyway..." She started making her way to the back of the class, the students' heads turned to look at her as she passed, there was no rush in her steps. She looked as calm as she sounded. She still managed to take some people by surprise, who failed to have the reflex to deflect a petrificus totallus... "I like to think that I'm a good person. I'm loyal to my friends. I try to be fair. But at the same time... I could see a young me supporting someone who would promise me a chance to tear down the walls that separated me from my own family."
Bellatrix' could feel the warmth radiating from the other woman's body when she stopped just beside her... Once her eyes trailed up, and locked into those light chocolate ones, the young witch felt as though her soul was laid bare, she could swear that the woman was acknowledging the part of her that wanted to be free and was waiting on a war to make her dreams come true.
Jean Grey looked at her as if she could truly see her deepest desires... it was like all the secrets Bellatrix kept stored in her mind were stolen with that one look. "Why do you wish to be powerful?" As soon as she asked that question, she looked away, and acted as though there was nothing to it. That aching feeling in Bellatrix' chest returned... "I asked myself, at one point in my life... When I dived deep into experiments, and invented all sorts of spells that many of you would find abhorrent... Just to expand my knowledge. Just so I could have that taste of satisfaction in knowing that I was capable of it."
For a moment, Bellatrix could see reflected in her professor's face the same determination that pushed her to be the best of the best. Gone was the chirpy, good-humoured warmth she was used to... Her unfocused stare, that was directed at Rodolphus but didn't seem to be looking at anything in particular, seemed to hold incredible danger in it. She looked self-satisfied in a way that could make anyone wary of crossing her path. She could be easily mistaken by a madwoman.
As quick as that scary expression took over her face, it went away. And Bellatrix is sure that she only noticed because she was immediately beside the woman. Maybe Rodolphus, too, noticed, since he was the 'target' of such fulminating expression. And he looked so weirded out, Bellatrix gathered that it was the only reason for such reaction.
She looks dangerous...
The professor, for her part, seemed embarrassed. As if she didn't really want to get lost in whatever memory she got caught up on. What is her story?
"So... As I said, there are worse things possible with magic than Avada Kedavra. Not all of them dark."
Bellatrix wanted so much to ask if she could cast them. The unforgivables. But she lost her voice, and she didn't want to sound pathetic squeaking out her question.
"Can you cast it?" Francine asked before Bellatrix regained her voice to do so. Thank you, Canyon!
Their professor merely smiled "I was planning a demonstration."
She pointed her wand forwards and only now did Bellatrix notice the figure of a person, that resembled more a snake than human, being finished by the chalk on the board. "Avada Kedavra."
Bellatrix didn't know what exact feeling fuelled that Avada, but the burst of magic leaving that wand was so strong she felt the air shift, and the feeling of imminent death to linger around. Even though she wasn't at the receiving end of that spell, she felt terror twist her stomach. As if her time had come. It made her shiver, and cold sweat break through her body.
When the board splintered to dozens of pieces, and that target disappeared from where it was, Bellatrix took a deep breath and released it all, ridding herself of that horrible feeling. It was a second that felt like an eternity.
Looking up again to see if her professor had felt anything of the sort, Bellatrix realized that even if she did, Jean Grey didn't show. She merely walked away, going to the front of the class again. She didn't even break a sweat! "Dark magic isn't evil. A person is. It's where the intention comes from..." She stored her wand in her hidden holster and moved her right hand in a simple 'get up' gesture. As if the wood could see her, the board was restored to its original structure.
Bellatrix envied her. She wanted that power for herself. But her professors' words rang on her ear... Why do I want to be powerful?
"That's not to say that dangerous spells shouldn't have a regulation..."
She tuned out the lecture for a moment, she couldn't really pay attention to what was being said, when she was so close to a realization. I want power, because I'm entitled to it. It's in my blood. I know I'm destined for greatness... No... that's not... I mean, even if I'm entitled to it, that would fall into the category of inevitability. If I'm destined for greatness, I wouldn't have to go after it. I want power because...
Because it makes me feel good. To know all the things that I can achieve... But what do I want to achieve? Aside from power...
Really, why did I even want to be minister if I didn't even want to change anything? It's just the most powerful position one person can ocupy in their society... A part of her mind reminded her.
I know that I want to be an auror because only the best of the best can do it... And it is the most active line of work I can find that involves duelling... But do I really need that kind of power to be a good auror? She knew that the answer was a big no.
What's so wrong about wanting to be powerful? About simply enjoying our magic? As her gut twisted with an alien feeling... She realized something about that woman's plan she didn't want to believe. She'll play the guilt card. Of course, she'll set us against our traditions, all the while making it seem as if it wasn't her intention...
It was to be expected from someone who wanted to weaken the pureblooded families. Her enemy had a plan, she should be happy she was always one step ahead, but... Why am I always expecting her to be different? She frowned, not really liking how she felt about that. This disapointment didn't settle well.
A sudden spell flying her way snapped her out of her thoughts. She almost got hit, she threw her torso to the side at the last possible second. Her heart beat hard against her ribcage, that shot of adrenaline through her system brought her to the present.
She looked towards the person who sent the spell, now paying attention to what was being said. "You shouldn't run away from knowledge when it can save your lives. If you know how something dark works, you'll learn how to fight people who use it. If you want to survive, you will remember my lessons, and you will study your enemy. That will require you to know dark magic. Not to hide from it." There was an amused smile on her face while she spoke... A smile that had the power to disturb even more Bellatrix' lacking inner peace.
If this is what you believe why are you supporting Dumbledore?
A pawn, made for opening moves, trades, and hopefully promotions. Worth only one point... But one point was one life. Dumbledore didn't like trades. He didn't like war at all. He considered himself to be the one playing with the black set. Waiting for the white pawn to make the opening move, the war declaration, a move he wishes he didn't have to respond to...
But Voldemort moved.
E4, bold king's pawn front and centre. He has the most prominent families of the sacred twenty-eight backing him up financially, and vocally at the ministry. He isn't eligible for any seat at the wizengamot, but he most certainly was giving law ideas to pass. He would not win his latest attempt at making the persecution of muggleborns legal, and the minister he supports in the coming election that would ensure that things went his way had no chance of winning. Dumbledore's popularity still outweighed all the support he gattered for himself. Even if substantial.
It was a given what would happen when the man Riddle was supporting to be minister loses. It was his excuse to start the war in truth.
Now... Should I meet him upfront? "Pawn to E5." He watched as the little soldier made its way to face the opponent. If I name someone else instead of just supporting the incompetent that's trying to run against Voldemort's candidate, I may avoid his narrative that I'm the one responsible for all things wrong in the ministry. After thinking a little more, he realized that it wasn't the best option. He knows he will lose, that's not the point. Narrative will change, but it won't stop him from using it in his favour. The less I pull my weight in the ministry, the better. A knight came to threaten the position of his black little pawn.
Of course, there were ways to go around Riddle's narratives... but if there was something he learned from Hermione's memories, is that his image wasn't immune to slander. It was one thing for his enemies to dislike him, another entirely different was for common folk to discredit him for no reason other than they were told so.
Dumbledore shouldn't push his luck. Hiring an unknown muggleborn witch was already a hot topic at the ministry.
He stroked his beard, resetting the opening, and thinking of other solutions. Force a trade? "Pawn to d5" it stood diagonally from Voldemort's pawn. I could actually support his candidate behind his back. Force him to get a position of prestige in the ministry - named by the minister he chose -, then get my people inside as well. We will monitor his every movement. If he's forced to follow a routine, then it can be easier to track his other activities.
The prospect seemed good... But then again... I'm not one for early sacrifices like this... He simulated Voldemort pressing forwards with a knight, f3, defending his position instead of accepting the trade. And he wants to lose. It feeds the blood-purists' sentiment that things are going bad in the wizarding world. He didn't follow through with that absurd opening line.
Resetting everything once more, he moved Voldemort's opening pawn, and stared at it in search of answers.
Prepare for a counterattack sounds like the best idea. "Pawn to C4." Sicilian defence, the muggles called. A new theory, with well-founded arguments and tested results, is a good way to win the narrative war. The truth of Hermione's work may delay his plans to openly go out with his terrorism. He will have to lose time coming with new arguments as to why he is right and discredit her work. That will give him some trouble.
He needed to get Hermione Granger to do what she did in the future. Her work that proved unfounded the narrative of Muggleborns stealing magic, and that power came from blood, would be a good way to get her name out there, and the first step into making her the face of his revolution.
The sooner he disassociated his own image from this war, the better. He needed someone else to play the hero. He had to be 'impartial' in this... His hands moved easily through the motions of the opening moves of the Sicilian defence. Now, should I study the Dragon or the Najdorf?