[a/n0]I have to plead *oops* A comment led to me rereading #4 and I saw that I flipped Jacob Warren's title about every time I used one. Feel free to take your pick. I didn't even think of the US Supreme Court Justice when I invented the character. I long used Henderson when talking about Myrtle, as initially the ghost had no last name, for the actress. But recently read she'd been named Warren, so Jacob's her relative [whatever his noble title] If he pops up again I'll flesh him out.

[a/n]Marcus Rowland suggested "Harry very publicly tells the world that Voldemort is a half-blood, with memories etc. as proof to back it up. It goes horribly wrong, people believe it but there is a huge backlash against half-bloods and muggle-borns, while the Death Eaters are too committed to Voldemort, and too scared, to even think of turning against him."

I caution everyone to reread the above before continuing. One scene is inspired by a moment in Die Hard.

Harry Does Different CDLIIId

The Pureblood Retaliation

"Today we mourn a true exemplar of his House." Dumbledore, even, was emotional "Cedric Diggory was immensely hard-working. One of the best to ever grace our halls. But …and most importantly… he was a fierce fierce friend! The Ministry would have you believe he died of some accident. Do not believe it. Harry Potter spoke the truth. Cedric is the first casualty of a renewed war and a reborn Lord Voldemort."

Harry interrupted the speech "And here's a fact any of his pet purebloods might want to know! Their might dark lord is definitely NOT one of YOU! Your great champion's father wasn't even a mere mudblood …to use your own term… so much worse, he was an out and out MUGGLE! Doubt me?" at this he rapidly flicked his wand in the air, drawing the words T-O-M-M-A-R-V-O-L-O-R-I-D-D-L-E. Everyone gasped when it was rearranged into I-A-M-L-O-R-D-V-O-L-D-E-M-O-R-T.

"While not something I would have made known now – today—this is another truth." Dumbledore clearly was not happy with the timing of the revelation. "Let us return to the ceremony. A custom I find comforting is a toast. In front of each of you is a goblet with a single gulp of firewhiskey. Perhaps not strictly legal for younger people, but the occasion warrants it, I feel. Everyone, TO CEDRIC!"

The entire assembly repeated the toast and drank "TO CEDRIC!" A deeply solemn moment.

"STINKING MUDBLOODS!" the scream was proceeded by a scuffle that, in itself, would have been shocking. Susan Bones slapped her best friend Hannah Abbott, and briefly throttled the blonde, before shoving her over the row in front of them. The shy, quiet Hufflepuff displayed skill no one knew she had. The goblet snatched from Hannah was very precisely driven into Justin Finch-Fletchley's eye socket. He was dead before his body hit the floor. Harry was her next target as she banished her goblet across the aisle. However, Hermione saw what was happening and instinctively shoved him aside. The glass projectile was like a bullet, it sliced through both major neck arteries. Blood sprayed everyone in range. During the entire two minutes it took Madam Pomfrey to get to her, she tried to speak.

Ron was screaming her name "HERMIONE! HERMIONE! ! NOOOOOOOO! ! !"

Harry was irrationally pooling blood in his hands and trying futilely to put it back in his suffering friend.

There just wasn't anyone close enough who knew a helpful spell. By the time the mediwitch was on the scene, wand out, Hermione was ghostly white and no longer moving. In the space of seconds, Pomfrey removed the goblet from the Gryffindor's neck and sealed the wounds. But with a defeated expression, she leaned back on her feet and said "I wasn't expecting anything like this. I don't have any replenishment potion. And even if I did - -"

"HELP HER!" Ron shook her violently and screamed in her face.

Harry clutched the redhead's shoulder, inconsolably sad. He could just tell "She's dead mate."

"Where is the bitch? I'm gonna murder her!" Ron surged away in a blind rage. He was stopped by a couple different spells from four different directions.

Professor McGonagall paused over her fallen student and said "I grieve with you Mr. Weasley. However, Miss Bones has been taken into custody and will be tried. I think it best you remain where you are until the spells wear off naturally. Mr. Longbottom, if you would? Remain to help Mr. Weasley when he recovers."

"I don't think so Professor." Replied Neville, words rebellious, though his tone was respectful to his Head of House.

It took a lot to cause her jaw to drop, but exactly that just happened to Minerva. After a second she regained her voice "We have all been shocked by what happened here, Mr. Longbottom. But do not consider that a request, consider it an order."

"Mate watch it." Came from his other dormmate.

Neville spun, seized the hand on his shoulder and twisted, then kicked the fallen boy in the head. He had been considering his situation. Now he didn't care "Susan was right, Granger was a stinking Mudblood. Same as the trash responsible for my parents. And don't even think of touching me, Finnegan. Far as I'm concerned you and Thomas are both Mudbloods. Keep them out of my dorm Professor!"

"I think it wise for everyone to goto their quarters." Dumbledore's voice filled the Hall with no more effort than previously. As he approached the Gryffindor area where all the violence occurred, he silenced it "Misters Thomas and Finnegan, I am sure Mr. Longbottom will apologize in the light of day. For tonight, in the interest of peace, may I impose on you to sleep in the Hospital Wing tonight? Have a prefect obtain what you need for comfort this evening."

Seamus pulled Dean to his feet, both boys looked offended, but gave curt nods of acceptance.

Public tensions were only enflamed when the news owls, several hours late, included a disturbing early morning discovery. On the front page.

THE DAILY PROPHET

June 27 1995

Murder Mayhem and Hubris at Hogwarts

It was our sad duty, yesterday, to reported on the as yet officially unexplained death of Hogwarts true champion Cedric Diggory. Occurring yesterday was the funeral ceremony for that noble young man. After the accolades and honors came the speech by Headmaster Dumbledore. During which he publicly endorsed the allegation by the Tournament's OTHER participant, Harry Potter, that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned to power.

***At this point the management and editorial staff of The Daily Prophet would like to go on record as being unable to either confirm or refute that claim.***

In the immediate aftermath, Susan Bones the niece of the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, cried in anguish at the loss of her Housemate. Her emotional outburst was vulgar and explicit, therefore unable to appear in our family-oriented publication. Seconds later, two students, yet another Hufflepuff …one Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor …lay dead. Witness statements place responsibility on the young witch.

Gryffindor House divided, apparently along blood status lines, as a result of Miss Granger's collapse. Neville Longbottom, the unvested Head of the Moste Ancient and Moste Noble House of Longbottom, due to his youth; expressed support for Miss Bones and was confronted by two fellows. Dean Thomas, a dark-skinned Muggleborn wizard and Seamus Finnegan, one of mixed heritage and an Irish citizen. After a brief confrontation the three were ordered, by the Headmaster, separated for the night.

Merely the first example of hubris, although not discovered for several hours, Hogwarts' longtime Headmaster failed to consider how high emotions truly were. The Longbottom heir was found, babbling and rolling about in a pile of smashed and burned objects. Typical garb and paraphernalia of Gryffindor. An Auror speaking on condition of anonymity speculated that the destroyed items were belongings of Misters Thomas and Finnegan. Poor Neville was provisionally diagnosed with longterm Cruciatus exposure and taken to St. Mungo's. We at The Prophet hope he does not suffer the fate of his courageous and decorated parents. Both aforementioned students are unaccounted for. Anyone seeing or contacted by either is advised to contact the DMLE office or nearest Auror. They are wanted for use of an Unforgivable and suspicion of associating with followers of You-Know-Who.

Minister For Magic Cornelius Fudge is reportedly meeting with his Department heads. Rumor leaking out has the possibility of martial law being considered. Indicative of an even greater change is the normally hopelessly quarrelling Wizengamot agreeing to be summoned into emergency session tomorrow. Though he was quick to minimize the significance, Lucius, Duke of the Noble House of Malfoy issued a brief statement that Augusta, Regent of the Moste Noble and Moste Ancient House of Longbottom, has granted him a temporary voting proxy. When combined with unlimited proxy he exercises on behalf of the Moste Noble and Moste Ancient House of Black, the Duke has a block large enough fundamentally change our nation.

By:Rita Skeeter

See Hubris[pg3]