Chapter 11: Right-Hand Man
Everyone finished settling in when the next video started.
Others (Ensemble): British Admiral Howe's got troops on the water. Thirty-two thousand troops in New York Harbor.
Hannah Abbott became slack-jawed, "32,000?!" How could so many people all be fighting in the revolution? On one side? Hannah had, admittedly, assumed that the revolution was much smaller than that, and probably only consisted of 10,000 people at most, including both sides.
Ron whistled, "I wouldn't want to be on the other side of that."
Others (Ensemble): Thirty-two thousand troops in New York Harbor. (Thirty-two thousand troops in New York Harbor.) When they surround our troops! They surround our troops! When they surround our troops! (They surround our troops.)
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): As a kid in the Caribbean, I wished for a war.
Lee Jordan narrowed his eyes in thought, "Okay, I know it was said before that Harry was an immigrant, but I had no clue he was from the Caribbean." Hermione remembered that "During the first video, some people describe Harry, and they said he was 'Dropped in the Caribbean'. So it was mentioned, but at that time we didn't know who they were describing." Lee nodded, remembering now.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): I knew that I was poor, I knew it was the only way to-
Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, and Fleur Delacour (Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Hercules Mulligan, John Laurens, and Marquis de Lafayette): -Rise up!
Sirius smiled, he loved to see Harry and his friends supporting each other. It reminded him of his time at Hogwarts with the Marauders, when they would do anything for each other. But as he thought about the Marauders, he was reminded of Peter and all of the tragedy that came with his betrayal.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): If they tell my story, I am either gonna die on the battlefield in glory or-
Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, and Fleur Delacour (Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Hercules Mulligan, John Laurens, and Marquis de Lafayette): -Rise up!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): I will fight for this land, but there's only one man who can give us a command, so we can-
Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, and Fleur Delacour (Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Hercules Mulligan, John Laurens, and Marquis de Lafayette): -Rise up!
"Only one man? Who do you think it could be?" Dean whispered to Seamus, "Probably like Dumbledore or someone like that." Seamus shrugged, making a guess.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Understand? It's the only way to-
Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, and Fleur Delacour (Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Hercules Mulligan, John Laurens, and Marquis de Lafayette): -Rise up, rise up!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Here he comes!
"Do you think we should be anxious or something? Because some people look like they either admire this guy or are afraid of him," Charlie asked his family, "Well I would certainly hope they weren't scared of the man," Molly said, suddenly concerned for Ron.
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): Ladies and gentlemen!
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): The moment you've been waiting for!
Ginny started giggling, "Really scared you, huh Harry?" Harry just gave her a half-hearted smile in return. Ginny frowned in thought but didn't say anything.
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): The pride of Mount Vernon!
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): Albus Dumbledore!
"Oh," Molly sighed in relief, it was only Dumbledore. Ron has no reason to be afraid of him.
"So I'm a General?" Dumbledore asked himself, "It must be like me being the headmaster of Hogwarts…"
'Yeah because the students are like your soldiers,' Sirius thought, holding back on glaring at Dumbledore as the old man would probably notice him, and that would only bring up more questions that Sirius didn't want to have to answer.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We are outgunned.
Others (Ensemble): What?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Outmanned.
Others (Ensemble): What?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Outnumbered, out planned.
Others (Ensemble): Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We gotta make an all-out stand! Ayo, I'm gonna need a right-hand man.
"It looks like Harry's thinking about becoming that right-hand man," Flitwick said to his fellow professors. McGonagall looked at the screen and how interested he seemed, "I think being a secretary for someone would be a good job for Mr. Potter."
Others (Ensemble): Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Check it, can I be real a second? For just a millisecond? Let down my guard and tell the people how I feel a second?
Lee Jordan knew that Dumbledore wasn't always the best person, and he also knew that Dumbledore kept things from them even if it was in their best interest to be informed of such things, so it wasn't a surprise to him that, "It seems even Dumbledore has some things he doesn't let others know about."
Dumbledore just looked at Lee, an unreadable expression on his face.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Now, I'm the model of a modern major general. The venerated Virginian veteran whose men are all lining up, to put me up on a pedestal. Writin' letters to relatives, embellishin' my elegance and eloquence.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): But the elephant is in the room. The truth is in your face when you hear the British cannons go-
Others (Ensemble): -Boom!
"I would be scared out of my wits if I heard a cannon go off that close to me," Neville said, shuddering.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Any hope of success is fleeting. How can I keep leading when the people I'm leading keep retreating?
"That does seem like it would be a problem," A person in the audience said sarcastically.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We put a stop to the bleeding as the British take Brooklyn. Knight takes rook, but look!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We are outgunned.
Others (Ensemble): What?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Outmanned.
Others (Ensemble): What?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Outnumbered, out planned.
Others (Ensemble): Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We gotta make an all-out stand. Ayo, I'm gonna need a right-hand man.
Others (Ensemble): Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Incoming!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): They're battering down the battery, check the damages.
Ron Weasley (Hercules Mulligan): Rah!
"What are you doing, Ron?" Hermione asked, a confused look on her face, "What noise are you making?" "How should I know?" Hermione shook her head, "I'm not sure, but you sound like a bird."
Ron's siblings had to stifle their laughter, "Nice Hermione!"
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): We gotta stop 'em and rob 'em of their advantages.
"That face can only mean trouble…" Sirius said, thinking of James and all the shenanigans they would get up to once James started thinking with that expression on his face.
Ron Weasley (Hercules Mulligan): Rah!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Let's take a stand with the stamina God has granted us. Potter won't abandon ship, yo, let's steal their cannons!
Fred and George grinned at each other, "This Harry is so fun!" They both started plotting everything they could do with Harry if he continued to steal and play pranks like this, ignoring how serious stealing cannons from an enemy was.
Ron Weasley (Hercules Mulligan): Shh-boom!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Goes the cannon, watch the blood and the shit spray, and-
"This is gold!" Sirius said, laughing at his godson and his friends as they ran away with a cannon Dumbledore watched, confused. Remus glared at Sirius, as much as he also found this amusing, he was more worried about Harry and what happened over lunch.
Others (Ensemble): -Boom!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Goes the cannon, we're abandonin' Kips Bay and-
Others (Ensemble): -Boom!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): There's another ship and-
Others (Ensemble): -Boom!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We just lost the southern tip and-
Others (Ensemble): -Boom!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We gotta run to Harlem quick, we can't afford another slip.
"So much violence…" Neville whispered, scooting closer to Luna so that they could comfort each other, though that was mainly Luna comforting Neville as he didn't like violence or blood.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Guns and horses giddyup. I decide to divvy up my forces, they're skittish as the British cut the city up.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): This close to givin' up, facing mad scrutiny. I scream in the face of this mass mutiny: Are these the men with which I am to defend America?
"Sometimes you just have to work with what you have."
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We ride at midnight, Manhattan in the distance. I cannot be everywhere at once, people! I'm in dire need of assistance…
"This is just the time for Harry to become his right-hand man," Flitwick said, hoping that Harry would be able to talk to Albus about Harry helping assist him.
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): Your Excellency, sir!
"Is Dumbledore really going to get Tom Riddle to help him but not Harry?" Terry Boot wondered, "I mean if someone told you to choose between a dark psychotic lord and a hero, who would you choose?"
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Who are you?
"Oh," Terry cringed, "Whoops, I guess Dumbledore might not actually be choosing Tom Riddle over Harry if he doesn't even know who he is."
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): Tom Riddle, Sir. Permission to state my case?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): As you were.
"Damn, Dumbledore really isn't interested, and he's not even pretending to be," Ginny said, getting a glare from her mother for her language.
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): Sir, I was a captain under General Montgomery until he caught a bullet in the neck in Quebec. And well, in summary, I think that I could be of some assistance. I admire how you keep firing on the British from a distance.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Huh.
"Pfft- I can't- Dumbledore's face! Hahahhaha!" It was completely silent as someone laughed out loud, and no one dared look over at Dumbledore, knowing that he would think they were the ones who laughed at him.
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): I have some questions, a couple of suggestions on how to fight instead of fleeing west.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Yes?
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): Well-
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): -Your Excellency-
"Oh shoot, Voldy's not happy about being interrupted," Fred whispered to George, making them both laugh. "Imagine Harry interrupted Voldemort in this universe as well- do you think Voldemort would get that mad?" This made the twins laugh even more, not caring that people were looking at them funnily.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): -You wanted to see me?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Potter, come in, have you met Riddle?
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Yes, sir-
Harry Potter and Tom Riddle (Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr): -We keep meeting.
"It's almost like they have a sibling rivalry, and they're always trying to one-up each other," Angelina Johnson said, thinking of what Bill and Charlie were like when she saw them in Hogwarts.
"Yeah, definitely," George said, getting elbowed in the ribs by his twin, who was smirking at George and his obvious crush on Angelina.
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): As I was saying, sir, I look forward to seeing your strategy play out.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Riddle?
Tom Riddle (Aaron Burr): Sir?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Close the door on your way out.
"Ooh, that must have been a blow to his ego!" A Hufflepuff said, eating popcorn as they were engrossed in the video as if they were watching a normal movie.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Have I done something wrong, sir?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): On the contrary, I called you here because our odds are beyond scary. Your reputation precedes you, but I have to laugh.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Sir?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Potter, how come no one can get you on their staff?
"What? Has he been denying offers other people have given him to work with them?" Ron asked, confused. If he had gotten an offer to work somewhere, he more than likely would have taken it, if it paid well and was a good job.
"That must be what I'm doing, it may have something to do with my priorities and morals in the other universe," Harry guessed.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Sir!
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Don't get me wrong, you're a young man of great renown. I know you stole British cannons when we were still downtown.
Draco rolled his eyes, "Honestly they weren't sneaky at all. Anyone could've seen them." Other people around him nodded, including Harry himself.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Arthur Weasley and Xenophilius Lovegood wanted to hire you…
"Me?" Arthur Weasley was surprised that he was being mentioned in the other universe, especially since three of his children were already revealed to not be his children in the other universe. "I would love to work for you, Mr. Weasley," Harry said, "You as well, Mr. Lovegood."
Arthur smiled, "Oh thank you, Harry, you would be wonderful to work with as well." Harry was always quite nice to him and Molly, and all their children. He was genuinely kind and Arthur had never heard him say anything bad about anyone. Well, other than Professor Snape and Draco, on occasion.
Xenophilius nodded at Harry, he knew Harry because he had been one of Luna's few friends before he helped her find new friends, and Xenophilius would always be grateful for that.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): To be their Secretary? I don't think so.
"Potter seems to be very ambitious, it's a wonder he didn't end up in Slytherin," Snape drawled out, "Though he is more Gryffindor brave than anything," Snape concluded, not seeing the surprised look on Harry's face. 'I was almost sorted into Slytherin…'
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Why are you upset?
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): I'm not-
"You clearly are, mate," Ron said, turning towards Harry. Harry got an inkling that Ron might not just be talking about his emotions in the video, but also in real life.
Harry shrugged at Ron, he didn't want to debate what he was feeling right now.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): -It's alright, you wanna fight, you've got a hunger. I was just like you when I was younger. Head full of fantasies of dying like a martyr?
Sirius looked at Harry sadly, he was tempted to ask Harry how he felt about the upcoming war, but knew that would only drive Harry away from him and Remus more, especially after what happened during lunch.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Yes.
'At least he admits it in the other universe… If only we could get him to admit it to us in this universe,' Remus thought, not realizing that he and Sirius were thinking almost the same thing.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Dying is easy, young man, living is harder.
"For once I agree with Dumbledore," Amelia Bones whispered to her niece, "I still can't believe he's been treating you like soldiers." Susan had been telling her aunt all about her time at Hogwarts and all that Dumbledore had done, so she knew all about Dumbledore's wrongdoings and mistakes. "Yeah, well, I'm not lying. He really does."
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Why are you telling me this?
"Because you need to hear it, pup, you can't just go around expecting yourself to die. That's no way to live." Sirius said, broaching the subject slightly. Harry looked down at his lap instead of answering. Sirius sighed, 'Oh well, it's a start.'
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): I'm being honest, I'm working with a third of what our Congress has promised.
Moody shook his head, "In war, you need all the resources and help you can get… this isn't sounding good." He knew that he and others were having trouble getting more people to join the war effort and fight against Voldemort, but they were still working on it, even if they didn't have much time.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): We are a powder keg about to explode, I need someone like you to lighten the load. So?
"Harry should take the offer, this is a great opportunity for him," A random Gryffindor said, as they knew Harry slightly due to them having the same common room.
Others (Ensemble): I am not throwing away my shot! I am not throwing away my shot! Ayo, I'm just like my country, I'm young, scrappy, and hungry!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): I am not throwing away my shot!
A couple of people cheered as Harry took the feather pen from Dumbledore as a sign that he was accepting his offer.
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): Son-
Albus Dumbledore and Others (George Washington and Ensemble): -We are outgunned, outmanned!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): You need all the help you can get. I have some friends, Laurens, Mulligan, Marquis de Lafayette, okay, what else?
"It seems Harry's whole friend group is going to be involved in and help with the war and revolution," Luna said, to which Neville added, "Yes, and it makes sense seeing how much they were advocating for the revolution just a few videos ago."
Albus Dumbledore and Others (George Washington and Ensemble): Outnumbered, out-planned!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): We'll need some spies on the inside, some king's men who might let some things slide.
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Hermione said, recalling the saying that her father used when she was younger to explain to her why some of the characters in her books did what they did.
Others (Ensemble): Boom!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): I'll write to Congress and tell 'em we need supplies.
"You're such a hard worker, Harry, I'm sure you're going to help the revolution a lot," Blaise said, smiling at Harry. Sirius expected Harry to be distant and not respond at all, but Harry looked up at Blaise and smiled. 'Maybe Blaise is helping Harry more than I thought,' Sirius mused.
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): You rally the guys, master the element of surprise.
"Dumbledore seems so shocked about just how much Harry's doing in the short amount of time that he has been employed so far," Tonks said. She had always been a hard worker, especially since she became an Auror so young.
Others (Ensemble): Chicka-boom!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): I'll rise above my station, organize your information. 'Til we rise to the occasion of our new nation, sir!
"I don't think Dumbledore is going to regret his decision in the future," Cedric said, thinking of just how much Harry could do when he had the opportunity to work and present his true work.
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): Rise up!
Blaise Zabini, Fleur Delacour, and Ron Weasley (John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan): What?
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Cedric Diggory, Ginny Weasley, and Women Others (Alexander Hamilton, Angelica Schuyler, Eliza Schuyler, Peggy Schuyler, and Women Ensemble): Rise up!
Blaise Zabini, Fleur Delacour, and Ron Weasley (John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan): What?
"Tom Riddle seems shocked that Harry ended up getting the job that he wanted when he went to talk to Dumbledore," Dean Thomas said, chuckling. There was a small satisfaction that Dean felt when Voldemort got what was coming for him.
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Cedric Diggory, and Ginny Weasley (Alexander Hamilton, Angelica Schuyler, Eliza Schuyler, and Peggy Schuyler): Rise up!
Blaise Zabini, Fleur Delacour, and Ron Weasley (John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan): What?
Others (Ensemble): Here comes the General!
Harry Potter (Alexander Hamilton): What?
Albus Dumbledore (George Washington): And his right-hand man!
"I assume that since Harry's now in a position of power to work for the revolution, a lot more of the action will start picking up soon in the videos, instead of the introduction that we have been watching so far," Hestia Jones said, thinking of the overall plot of these videos.
Others (Ensemble): Boom!
Published: 5/30/2023