"There comes a point in a web of lies where you must realize the importance of balancing the truth and a falsehood..."
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters therein. However, this plot and story are my original work.
To be an effective liar, one must possess certain skills. These skills must be honed—almost deadly in their sharpness—and they must be deceptive enough to elude detection. A good lair must be calm, collected, and always prepared with the next carefully constructed fib.
Before you even get into sincere lies, you start with sarcasm. Sarcasm is a stepping stone to full-blown lying because it teaches you to find a balance between too much and too little. If you rely on sarcasm too heavily, people will get used to it, and no one will believe a word you say. That alone would end the chain of events. But always being truthful teaches your mind and body certain habits when you do lie. Find a balance.
At first, when you begin to learn the craft, you pick up little tips here and there. Skills such as how to keep a straight face, how not to look guilty, and how to look a person in the eye are some of the beginner skills you must acquire in order to be a convincing liar. Look a person in the eye and tell them a complete falsehood. If you can do it with a straight face, you've graduated from level one.
The next step, as you continue to polish your skills, is overcoming telltale signs. Everyone has one; some are just less obvious than others. For instance, if you tend to blink profusely when you know what you are saying is untrue, get rid of it. You may not even realize you are doing it, but others certainly will. Make a conscious effort to stop yourself from making these little errors. It's like poker. You've got to adapt to the environment—bluff.
After surmounting the unconscious habit, you've got to learn the structure of a good lie. Don't just make something up off the top of your head. Your story must have substance, or at least a minimal amount of proof to convince your audience. For instance, telling your parents you are with a friend who happens to be hanging out with your sibling at the time will not fly. Someway, somehow, a parent will find out. Never depend on others to support your lie.
Although some find lying easy to do—and perhaps it is to them—it requires true finesse to be an expert. The especially good ones can tell a lie quicker than you can process it, and you'll believe them simply because they are that good. But a truly superior liar also knows one very important thing: when to stop. There comes a point in a web of lies where you must realize the importance of balancing the truth and a falsehood, and this point is not always as obvious as being 'caught in the act', as it were.
Let me explain.
When I was a little boy, my father never took no for an answer. He did as he pleased, when he pleased, and God help any man, woman or beast who stood in his way. I never questioned his authority. He was a nearly perfect liar. He could tell my mother he loved her in the morning, then turn around and tell the Dark Lord that she meant nothing. At first, when I was young, naive and innocent, I thought it was for her own good--to protect her. Now I know better.
He used every one of his friends, acquaintances and even family to his own advantages. He would manipulate a person so well, they would think up is down if he told them so. He had no regrets. Everything he did was firm and resolute. Some would call these great character traits. I called them lies. Everything about him was a lie; I don't even know who my father is...was. My father was never the best at lying. Oh, no. You see, one must know the thin line between just enough and too much; you must tread carefully. He broke that line and drew himself a new one whenever he crossed it. He never stopped lying, and that was his downfall.
There was not one person in his life to whom he did not lie.
Even his only son.