A Different Path

by Michael in Arizona

When Harry supports Hermione after Ron treats her horribly in POA, it leads Harry and the world down a different road. Always remember that Hagrid was right on the money with his correct perspective that Ron should value his friend more than rats. FRIENDS SHOULD ALWAYS BE VALUED ABOVE PETS! NO EXCEPTIONS! Always remember that friends run far deeper than pets.

107. Who Killed Grindelwald?

On the morning of Monday, October 10th, 1994, Harry, Colin, Dennis, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Susan, Lily, Tracey, Daphne, and Astoria were all sitting together at the table Hermione had enlarged for them to all be able to sit and eat together enjoying a breakfast of sausage, bacon, and ham burritos with Budweiser to wash it down with, Hedwig soared in.

"Oh, that owl is so beautiful," cooed Tracey.

"She's carrying a Daily Prophet in her beak," observed Harry.

And Hedwig did indeed have a newspaper clamped in her beak. She dropped the paper into Harry's lap, gave him an affectionate nibble on the ear, and soared off again.

Harry unfurled the Daily Prophet to see the headline:

Walden Macnair Confirmed to Be Murderer of Grindelwald.

Harry showed the paper to his group of friends.

"Macnair works at the ministry. He kills animals for the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures," said Susan bitterly, "He is one of Aunt Ameila's least favorite people at the ministry."

"And he enjoys it," gasped Ginny, "It's one thing to understand that certain animals and creatures need to be put down because they are legitimately a danger to people. It's another thing entirely to actually enjoy doing the killing."

"Enjoying killing is repulsive," said Luna seriously.

"Harry," requested Lily, "Please read the article beneath the headline so we can know what's going on here."

Next nanosecond, Harry looked down and read:

The Daily Prophet learned Monday morning that sources at Nurmengard prison where the infamous Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald had been an inmate prior to his apparent murder on Saturday night confirmed that Grindelwald was murdered via the Avada Kedavra curse by Walden Macnair. An invisibility cloak was found in Grindelwald's cell along with his body. This cloak was tested for magical traces and tested positive for MacNair's magical trace. Macnair confirmed to the murder under the influence of Veritaserum. Macnair claimed to have committed the crime to win favor with Lord Voldemort on what he sees as Lord Voldemort's inevitable return. Macnair is convinced that Lord Voldemort will rise again and sees the potential to be Lord Voldemort's top lieutenant. Macnair seems to feel as though it will come down to a competition between himself and Antion Dolohov to be Lord Voldemort's new favorite. Macnair believes that killing Grindelwald will earn him status with Voldemort under the premise that Voldemort would reward him for knocking off Grindelwald and ensuring Voldemort is the last standing of the darkest dark lords. Macnair believes Voldemort will feel immense savage pleasure in outliving Grindelwald. While the age difference between them made this more likely than not, Voldemort's pride in thinking of himself as the GOAT Dark Lord comes into play here. Whether there is actually any real possibility of Lord Voldemort ever returning is anybody's guess. Macnair has been arrested and is being held in a high security cell in Nurmengard. "

There was a minute and a nanosecond of silence when Harry finished reading.

"This makes it clear," said Hermione firmly, "That our run in with the Death Eaters at Zonko's and Grindelwald's murder are related. The Dark Side is preparing for the potential return of Lord Voldemort."

"Especially after what we heard Dolohov say," added Harry tensely, "These Death Eaters are jockeying for position, especially those who believe Voldemort will rise again."

"I don't think there's much more for us to say about it at this time," said Tracey matter of factly, "I'd like to ask Harry a question."

"Fire away Tracey," replied Harry.

"How do you feel about our group of eleven now?" Tracey asked Harry.

"It has a nice mix of people from various years, ages, and blood statuses," observed Harry, "The only noticeable imbalance in the group is that Gryffindor and Slytherin are clearly more prominent. If our group ever does expand to twelve, it would be best if the next member of our group was a Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw."

A shout out to the following members who have added A Different Path to their favorites and/or follows lists since the last update:

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Much love from Arizona for all the support. Love you all-Michael. :)