Sunday, August 13, 2006
Stargate/X-Files
It seems to me that Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and X-Files would make a wonderful crossover story. The general plots and timelines of the shows fit very nicely together. Anyway, it's a thought for another fan-fiction. Don't know if I'll ever do it though.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Order of the Phoenix: Harry and the Killing Curse Criteria
March 26th, 2006
In an attempt to see if anyone can come up with a better idea then mine, I’m going to list the criteria I based my idea on.
• If Lily didn’t die first (for Harry), Harry would have still survived (1)
• If James didn’t die first (before Harry), Harry would have still survived
• Harry has no powers completely unique to him that allowed him to survive (2)
(1) At least in the sense that the protection she gave him when she died trying to protect him didn’t save him from the killing curse.
(2) In other words, no special powers. He is allowed to have greater abilities but not special abilities. There is a difference (in my mind, an important one).
With the first two items, the main point I’m trying to get across (or put into the story) is that Harry didn’t survive by chance alone.
In an attempt to see if anyone can come up with a better idea then mine, I’m going to list the criteria I based my idea on.
• If Lily didn’t die first (for Harry), Harry would have still survived (1)
• If James didn’t die first (before Harry), Harry would have still survived
• Harry has no powers completely unique to him that allowed him to survive (2)
(1) At least in the sense that the protection she gave him when she died trying to protect him didn’t save him from the killing curse.
(2) In other words, no special powers. He is allowed to have greater abilities but not special abilities. There is a difference (in my mind, an important one).
With the first two items, the main point I’m trying to get across (or put into the story) is that Harry didn’t survive by chance alone.
SW FICTION: Thoughts of a Perspective Apprentice
Disclaimer: The Star Wars Universe, Jedi, etc. do not belong to me however much I would like them to. It is with great reluctance, then, that I admit that they belong to George Lucus. Kyda and Tenel Malik, I suppose, belong to me. At least I made up their names and some of their thoughts.
I really didn’t put much thought into this fic (especially the end) so don’t expect much.
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Thoughts of a Perspective Apprentice
The last of the training remotes fell to the ground as Kyda shut down her lightsaber. She had been able to block most of the shots the remotes had aimed at her, but her arm and leg were still sore from the few times the blasts had gotten though her defenses. It was a good thing they were set to low power.
Rubbing her arm and carefully sitting down at the edge of the practice room, Kyda let herself give into some of the frustration that had been creeping into her mind since the middle of the last exercise. She shouldn’t have missed any of those shots. She was a senior student at the Jedi Temple, ready to be taken as an apprentice to a Jedi Knight. That is...
Kyda tried to push the thought out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about tomorrow. Yet she knew it was impossible. Her thoughts had been so preoccupied lately with what she saw as her impending doom that she couldn’t even focus on an exercise she had performed flawlessly countless times before.
Tomorrow she was scheduled to duel with another of her agemates in front of Jedi Knight Tenel Malik, who had come to the temple in search of an apprentice. This alone was not strange. Kyda had dueled many times for masters in the hopes of becoming an apprentice ever since reaching the rank of senior student. Just as she would continue doing if tomorrow’s duel didn’t result in her becoming an apprentice. There was, supposedly, no hurry. After all, she still had time. She wouldn’t turn thirteen for another year. Many masters would come searching for apprentices in that time. She was certain that one would choose her. She would be a Jedi Knight whether or not she impressed Knight Malik tomorrow.
Yet, ever since she had been informed of this duel, she had the feeling that the Force was telling her that she needed to be accepted as Knight Malik’s apprentice. Kyda had never met her, not even heard of her before, yet when her name was mentioned she felt a strange connection with this knight. The name and the feelings that came with it seemed familiar to her even though there was no reason they should be.
Tenel Malik was, Kyda discovered, considered one of the more solitary members of the order. This explained why Kyda had never heard of her. She did not often return to the temple, nor work with others. She preferred the freedom working along gave. It was a shock (a pleasant shock in the mind of the Jedi Council), then, when she announced her intention of taking an apprentice.
Kyda knew she didn’t exactly fit the description of the perfect apprentice for Knight Malik. Not only was the knight considered solitary, she was considered to be one of the better duelers in the order. Her missions often reflected this fact. Her apprentice would need to be able to handle themselves in difficult situations from the beginning. They would need to be quite accomplished with a lightsaber. Anything less would waste the skills of the knight.
While Kyda was good with a lightsaber, she wasn’t as good as some of the others. It was possible for her to get distracted and fail at simple exercises as she proved earlier. In fact, Jacen Kendle, the student she would fight in the morning, was much better then she was. He had always been ahead of her in lightsaber skills and agility. She couldn’t escape the feeling, though, that despite all this she was the one who should be picked. She also couldn’t escape the feeling that Knight Malik wouldn’t see it her way. Kyda had always gotten the impression that knights choosing their first apprentice had higher expectations than those who had already trained an apprentice.
Kyda’s thoughts would have continued on this line for hours more, only increasing her nervousness and sense of doom, if she hadn’t be interrupted by someone entering the practice room she occupied.
The woman was tall with long dark blond hair and, like Kyda, human. She wore the traditional garb of the Jedi and had the air of an experienced knight. Coming fully into the room, allowing the door to close behind her, the knight took in her surroundings. When her eyes finally locked with Kyda’s and she smiled, Kyda felt a jolt run though her entire body. In that moment she knew, without a doubt, who the knight was. She also knew that she need not worry about her future any longer.
THE END
I really didn’t put much thought into this fic (especially the end) so don’t expect much.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thoughts of a Perspective Apprentice
The last of the training remotes fell to the ground as Kyda shut down her lightsaber. She had been able to block most of the shots the remotes had aimed at her, but her arm and leg were still sore from the few times the blasts had gotten though her defenses. It was a good thing they were set to low power.
Rubbing her arm and carefully sitting down at the edge of the practice room, Kyda let herself give into some of the frustration that had been creeping into her mind since the middle of the last exercise. She shouldn’t have missed any of those shots. She was a senior student at the Jedi Temple, ready to be taken as an apprentice to a Jedi Knight. That is...
Kyda tried to push the thought out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about tomorrow. Yet she knew it was impossible. Her thoughts had been so preoccupied lately with what she saw as her impending doom that she couldn’t even focus on an exercise she had performed flawlessly countless times before.
Tomorrow she was scheduled to duel with another of her agemates in front of Jedi Knight Tenel Malik, who had come to the temple in search of an apprentice. This alone was not strange. Kyda had dueled many times for masters in the hopes of becoming an apprentice ever since reaching the rank of senior student. Just as she would continue doing if tomorrow’s duel didn’t result in her becoming an apprentice. There was, supposedly, no hurry. After all, she still had time. She wouldn’t turn thirteen for another year. Many masters would come searching for apprentices in that time. She was certain that one would choose her. She would be a Jedi Knight whether or not she impressed Knight Malik tomorrow.
Yet, ever since she had been informed of this duel, she had the feeling that the Force was telling her that she needed to be accepted as Knight Malik’s apprentice. Kyda had never met her, not even heard of her before, yet when her name was mentioned she felt a strange connection with this knight. The name and the feelings that came with it seemed familiar to her even though there was no reason they should be.
Tenel Malik was, Kyda discovered, considered one of the more solitary members of the order. This explained why Kyda had never heard of her. She did not often return to the temple, nor work with others. She preferred the freedom working along gave. It was a shock (a pleasant shock in the mind of the Jedi Council), then, when she announced her intention of taking an apprentice.
Kyda knew she didn’t exactly fit the description of the perfect apprentice for Knight Malik. Not only was the knight considered solitary, she was considered to be one of the better duelers in the order. Her missions often reflected this fact. Her apprentice would need to be able to handle themselves in difficult situations from the beginning. They would need to be quite accomplished with a lightsaber. Anything less would waste the skills of the knight.
While Kyda was good with a lightsaber, she wasn’t as good as some of the others. It was possible for her to get distracted and fail at simple exercises as she proved earlier. In fact, Jacen Kendle, the student she would fight in the morning, was much better then she was. He had always been ahead of her in lightsaber skills and agility. She couldn’t escape the feeling, though, that despite all this she was the one who should be picked. She also couldn’t escape the feeling that Knight Malik wouldn’t see it her way. Kyda had always gotten the impression that knights choosing their first apprentice had higher expectations than those who had already trained an apprentice.
Kyda’s thoughts would have continued on this line for hours more, only increasing her nervousness and sense of doom, if she hadn’t be interrupted by someone entering the practice room she occupied.
The woman was tall with long dark blond hair and, like Kyda, human. She wore the traditional garb of the Jedi and had the air of an experienced knight. Coming fully into the room, allowing the door to close behind her, the knight took in her surroundings. When her eyes finally locked with Kyda’s and she smiled, Kyda felt a jolt run though her entire body. In that moment she knew, without a doubt, who the knight was. She also knew that she need not worry about her future any longer.
THE END
SW FICTION: Reflections
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
03/26/06: I'm not sure when this was actually written but it was posted to fanfiction.net on June 28th, 2003. It was the first fan-fiction I wrote (not that I've written that many since, but...). I still think it's good, but perhaps that's because it's the first :)
-------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately I do not own Star Wars, either the name or the universe. That privilege belongs to Lucas. I intend to make no money or anything of that sort, like I even could. Writing and posting this story is purely for my own enjoyment and, I hope, for the enjoyment of others.
Now, on to my own comments. I have to say this for my own sake. Yes I know about green squadron but I chose to ignore my previous knowledge for this story because I needed a squadron name and I liked that one. I am also aware that the story is kind of corny in some parts (especially the last few sentences), but I couldn't think of how to write a better ending at the time. I probably shouldn't be saying any of this and just let you deal with it on your own but... oh well.
Reviews are, of course, welcome. I would like to write much more and need all the help I can get :) Especially when it comes to technical stuff. I never did get off the training levels of the X-Wing game. I'll have to read the X-Wing books again to refresh my memory on how to fly...
Now, to the story...
Reflections
As far as I could tell, I had been floating there, conscious, for hours before they came and pulled me out. The fact that I could barely remember who I was didn't bother me too much; I was too relieved to be out of the Bacta. When memory finally returned, first just trickling in and then in an unwelcome flood, I was able to at least ask the medic how the rest of my people were.
"They're fine, the last one came out of the Bacta a day ago," the sandy haired medic said. Brian, I remembered his name was.
"Just for good measure I'd like to ask you some questions." Brian said.
"Okay." I replied
"What is your name and rank?" Simple question. I still hesitated.
"Commander Cathren Collins." I said.
"How old are you Commander?"
"21"
"Good. You're going to have to stay here a little while longer, so why don't you just lie down and rest." He said and left. Why was it Medics were always in a hurry?
Lying down on the bed they offered me I began to review the events that had brought me here. People came and went, many of them giving me a better picture of what had transpired.
My squadron, Green Squadron by name, had set off from the _Freedom_ (our base) on a routine run on an unarmed Imperial convoy. It had started out fairly well. Our twelve x-wings jumped out of hyperspace right on target. The y-wings, on lone to us from Champion Squadron, disabled the freighter in minuets. Just when I was about to give the command to jump back into Hyperspace (with the Freighter, of course), two more freighters jumped into the system. Rather than risk the loss of people and equipment, I gave the order that as soon as they were clear, they were to make the jump. We never got the chance. Coming out of nowhere, the Ties were on us before we realized what had happened.
Putting my x-wing in a tight loop to the right, I tried to lose the Tie that had somehow come up behind me.
"On my mark three, dive to the left." My cockpit com squawked. To my right I saw an explosion that could only have been the Tie that had been following Green Three.
"Nice Job Six." I said.
A torrent of laser fire hitting my back shields snapped me back to my own problem. Putting all power to the back shields, I sidestepped my x-wing to the left. Completing the maneuver I cut all power to the engines and put on the reverse thrust. The result? My x-wing stopped dead in space. Laser fire bombarded my shields, but they held and just as I expected, the Tie, going to fast, overshot me. Getting my x-wing back to normal speed I came up in back of the Tie and with practiced ease, centered the cross-hairs on the ball cockpit and fired. The explosion was more spectacular than I could have hoped for.
"Nice Shot." The teasing voice of Green Five, my older brother, said.
Currently clear, I took the opportunity to assess the situation. My pilots were handling themselves well. Out of the original 24 Ties only 10 remained and from what I could see we had only lost one pilot. Puling up the file I saw that it was Ceren Kess, one of the new pilots and it was with great relief that I saw he was able to eject.
As I put my x-wing on a course that would take me back to the main battle, I saw another of my pilots go down (also ejected). Maybe it was because of my focusing on the battle ahead that I didn't notice the Tie had slipped behind me (I realized later that my R2 did not warn me). Situational Awareness is what they say keeps a pilot alive. In my case, its momentary laps nearly got me killed. Before I knew what was happening my shields had fallen and my x-wing was starting to fall apart.
I still don't remember ejecting, but my whole squadron says I did. So I will just have to take their word for it.
One of my pilots sent a distress signal to the _Freedom_, as I was told later. The _Freedom_ came, it seems, and retrieved all of its floating pilots, faithfully making sure that we were well taken care of.
Funny as it seems, I actually enjoy what I do. To me freedom is worth spending a few days in a Bacta tank and yes, even worth paying for with my life.
-THE END-
03/26/06: I'm not sure when this was actually written but it was posted to fanfiction.net on June 28th, 2003. It was the first fan-fiction I wrote (not that I've written that many since, but...). I still think it's good, but perhaps that's because it's the first :)
-------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately I do not own Star Wars, either the name or the universe. That privilege belongs to Lucas. I intend to make no money or anything of that sort, like I even could. Writing and posting this story is purely for my own enjoyment and, I hope, for the enjoyment of others.
Now, on to my own comments. I have to say this for my own sake. Yes I know about green squadron but I chose to ignore my previous knowledge for this story because I needed a squadron name and I liked that one. I am also aware that the story is kind of corny in some parts (especially the last few sentences), but I couldn't think of how to write a better ending at the time. I probably shouldn't be saying any of this and just let you deal with it on your own but... oh well.
Reviews are, of course, welcome. I would like to write much more and need all the help I can get :) Especially when it comes to technical stuff. I never did get off the training levels of the X-Wing game. I'll have to read the X-Wing books again to refresh my memory on how to fly...
Now, to the story...
Reflections
As far as I could tell, I had been floating there, conscious, for hours before they came and pulled me out. The fact that I could barely remember who I was didn't bother me too much; I was too relieved to be out of the Bacta. When memory finally returned, first just trickling in and then in an unwelcome flood, I was able to at least ask the medic how the rest of my people were.
"They're fine, the last one came out of the Bacta a day ago," the sandy haired medic said. Brian, I remembered his name was.
"Just for good measure I'd like to ask you some questions." Brian said.
"Okay." I replied
"What is your name and rank?" Simple question. I still hesitated.
"Commander Cathren Collins." I said.
"How old are you Commander?"
"21"
"Good. You're going to have to stay here a little while longer, so why don't you just lie down and rest." He said and left. Why was it Medics were always in a hurry?
Lying down on the bed they offered me I began to review the events that had brought me here. People came and went, many of them giving me a better picture of what had transpired.
My squadron, Green Squadron by name, had set off from the _Freedom_ (our base) on a routine run on an unarmed Imperial convoy. It had started out fairly well. Our twelve x-wings jumped out of hyperspace right on target. The y-wings, on lone to us from Champion Squadron, disabled the freighter in minuets. Just when I was about to give the command to jump back into Hyperspace (with the Freighter, of course), two more freighters jumped into the system. Rather than risk the loss of people and equipment, I gave the order that as soon as they were clear, they were to make the jump. We never got the chance. Coming out of nowhere, the Ties were on us before we realized what had happened.
Putting my x-wing in a tight loop to the right, I tried to lose the Tie that had somehow come up behind me.
"On my mark three, dive to the left." My cockpit com squawked. To my right I saw an explosion that could only have been the Tie that had been following Green Three.
"Nice Job Six." I said.
A torrent of laser fire hitting my back shields snapped me back to my own problem. Putting all power to the back shields, I sidestepped my x-wing to the left. Completing the maneuver I cut all power to the engines and put on the reverse thrust. The result? My x-wing stopped dead in space. Laser fire bombarded my shields, but they held and just as I expected, the Tie, going to fast, overshot me. Getting my x-wing back to normal speed I came up in back of the Tie and with practiced ease, centered the cross-hairs on the ball cockpit and fired. The explosion was more spectacular than I could have hoped for.
"Nice Shot." The teasing voice of Green Five, my older brother, said.
Currently clear, I took the opportunity to assess the situation. My pilots were handling themselves well. Out of the original 24 Ties only 10 remained and from what I could see we had only lost one pilot. Puling up the file I saw that it was Ceren Kess, one of the new pilots and it was with great relief that I saw he was able to eject.
As I put my x-wing on a course that would take me back to the main battle, I saw another of my pilots go down (also ejected). Maybe it was because of my focusing on the battle ahead that I didn't notice the Tie had slipped behind me (I realized later that my R2 did not warn me). Situational Awareness is what they say keeps a pilot alive. In my case, its momentary laps nearly got me killed. Before I knew what was happening my shields had fallen and my x-wing was starting to fall apart.
I still don't remember ejecting, but my whole squadron says I did. So I will just have to take their word for it.
One of my pilots sent a distress signal to the _Freedom_, as I was told later. The _Freedom_ came, it seems, and retrieved all of its floating pilots, faithfully making sure that we were well taken care of.
Funny as it seems, I actually enjoy what I do. To me freedom is worth spending a few days in a Bacta tank and yes, even worth paying for with my life.
-THE END-
HP FICTION: Approaching Darkness
Title: Approaching Darkness
Timeframe: Summer after Harry’s forth year
Genre: Drama (more like melodrama), AUish
Summary: Darkness approaches Hogwarts.
Disclaimer: Harry, Hogwarts, and the rest of the Wizarding World belong to J.K. Rowling, no matter how irritated I am with her at the moment.
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Approaching Darkness -
Another night was underway. The moon, almost full, dimly lit the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with a cold blue-white light. The windows of the castle, previously warm beacons shining in the night, were being extinguished by unseen hands within the stone walls.
The light of the moon kept the castle from being plunged into darkness. Faint outlines of towers and halls could still be seen by those who knew what to look for, even though the castle’s revealing inner light had gone.
The quiet peace that usually settled over the school, as students and teachers drifted off to sleep, was this night elusive. There was tension in the air, expectation. The trees of the dark forest stood still, branches and leaves unmoved by wind. Even the creatures, normally breaking the silence of night, each with its own unique voice, felt the mood radiating from their surroundings and remained silent.
Entering this stillness, swirling mist broke out of the forbidden forest; a cold, gray fog covering the ground and blocking the faint moonlight from the surface of the earth. The mist wrapped around Hagrid’s Hut, breaking like waves against the wooden walls, and continued on its way toward the dark castle.
A young man observed the scene from one of the castle’s high towers. As the mist reached the walls surrounding the school and began pouring through the gate, he could almost imagine that the school no longer sat on land but floated above it in the clouds. There was security in that thought, however false it was. And he knew it was false. There was nowhere safe, not anymore.
Something was coming, a darkness unlike that of the night. Cold that pierced not only the body but also the soul. Evil that would not rest until hope, and warmth, and goodness were but a weak memory, if even then. And he knew, he felt, it was coming soon.
A chilling wind blew through the open window in front of him. It ruffled his already unkempt hair and sent its icy tendrils through his thin robes. He took no notice of the cold, his mind occupied with hundreds of unpleasant thoughts.
Out in the night, thick, dark storm clouds began to gather, cutting off the faint light of the moon. In the absence of this revealing light, unnoticed by the troubled young man, silent figures crept out of the protection of the forbidden forest. Long black cloaks flowed around them as they converged upon the gate that would lead them towards their goal. Ample hoods rested upon their heads, hiding their identity from all who would look upon them. Lust for power and fear of their master drove them forward. Victory this night would bring great rewards. Defeat meant death.
One by one they entered the dark halls of the castle, each to their own dark mission. Malevolence, like their cloaks, seemed to surround them as they silently moved through the school. Yet the castle slept on, unaware of the danger within.
Up in the tower, the young man seemed to sense the change within the castle. Jumping up from where he sat, he made to grab his wand, but within seconds was frozen in place. There was death in the air. A shrill scream pierced the silence of the night followed by a blinding flash of green light, unseen by all those within the castle walls.
Signaled, as though by the scream of a life now destroyed, darkness made itself known. Shooting up over the treetops of the forbidden forest, from seemingly hundreds of different locations, bright green fireworks cast their eerie glow over everything in sight before fading slowly into smoke. Rising up in their wake, a bright green skull settled itself over the forest; an image of a snake protruded from its gaping mouth. The symbol that made even the strongest wizard fearful and the most hopeful lose heart. The sign of Lord Voldemort.
In the light of their master’s symbol, having abandoned all pretense of subtlety, a host of dark robed figurers darted out of the forest. Brilliant light erupted from their raised wands and streaked towards the castle. As wave upon wave of light impacted with the ancient walls, it seemed the very foundation of the school was trembling. The very spells that had held the castle together and protected it for hundreds of years were being tested and they were failing against the onslaught of dark magic.
Racing down a corridor, having abandoned his tower, the young man dodged stones as they fell from the now unstable walls and ceilings. He knew it was only a matter of time before the castle collapsed in on itself, killing all those inside and saving the darksiders the trouble of doing the job themselves. The need to get out was overwhelming, causing him to abandon caution and run even faster then wisdom dictated.
His heart was pounding in his chest, his breaths coming in short gasps, as he rounded the corner he hoped would lead to freedom. Only a short distance away the front doors of the school stood, open and inviting, calling him to the escape they offered. Yet he came to a stop in front of them, hesitating. He could hear the screams of students and teachers echoing in the entrance hall. He knew, with a sense of desperation, he couldn’t just leave them without trying to help.
His hesitation was all the dark one needed. It raised its wand and muttered a curse, directing it at the boy. Turning around, the young man froze as a beam of light sped toward him. Roaring filled his ears. Within seconds his world seemed to be filled with brilliant green light and a penetrating cold. An agony unlike anything he had known before filled him, only releasing its claws as darkness claimed its ownership over him.
--------------------------------------------------
The memory of dazzling light and agonizing pain still fresh in his mind, fourteen-year-old Harry Potter bolted upright in bed. Taking several shaky breaths, he tried to calm his racing heart and mind. It was only a dream… only another dream.
Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and placing them on the floor, he tried to make himself forget how real everything had seemed. It felt as thought he had actually been at Hogwarts in the midst of a death-eater attack. Yet he knew he hadn’t been. Of course that doesn’t mean I won’t be, eventually.
It was less than a month since the most feared dark lord of the century had returned, regaining his old strength, and it was only a matter of time before he resumed his campaign of terror. Those who acknowledged his return were preparing themselves for a difficult fight.
Harry’s mind again drifted to Hogwarts. If Voldemort was indeed more powerful than before, as Prof. Trelawney predicted, it wasn’t unlikely that he would go after Hogwarts. After all, Hogwarts, along with its Headmaster, was a symbol. It was known as one of the safest places in the wizarding world, a stronghold of the light. Its fall would be devastating.
But that wouldn’t happen. It couldn’t.
Harry tried to push all these thoughts out of his head. They weren’t doing him any good. They only succeeded in giving him nightmares and sleep-deprivation. He didn’t need anymore things to think about. The events of the Third Task still hovered, even present, in his mind. Cedric’s death still weighed down on him. No, I don’t need anything else to worry about right now. Anyway, what had Hagrid said? What will come will come. I can only control how I meet it when it does.
Focusing on that, and on as many happy memories of his friends he could think of, Harry laid down again in an attempt to sleep. After all, His Aunt and Uncle would probably have an unrealistically long list of chores for him to do come tomorrow. He would need all the sleep he could get.
--THE END--
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
07/07/05: This is just a small idea I got that came out of my efforts to write my own version of Harry’s fifth year, although it is only slightly related to the aforementioned efforts.
03/26/06: I think the idea came from a dream (or nightmare) I had of the dark mark hovering over the forbidden forest. In the dream I think it was actually several dark marks, but I didn't use that many in the story. I wrote this rather quickly if I remember correctly. It is by no means a great example of writing, but it's something.
Timeframe: Summer after Harry’s forth year
Genre: Drama (more like melodrama), AUish
Summary: Darkness approaches Hogwarts.
Disclaimer: Harry, Hogwarts, and the rest of the Wizarding World belong to J.K. Rowling, no matter how irritated I am with her at the moment.
--------------------------------------------------
Approaching Darkness -
Another night was underway. The moon, almost full, dimly lit the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with a cold blue-white light. The windows of the castle, previously warm beacons shining in the night, were being extinguished by unseen hands within the stone walls.
The light of the moon kept the castle from being plunged into darkness. Faint outlines of towers and halls could still be seen by those who knew what to look for, even though the castle’s revealing inner light had gone.
The quiet peace that usually settled over the school, as students and teachers drifted off to sleep, was this night elusive. There was tension in the air, expectation. The trees of the dark forest stood still, branches and leaves unmoved by wind. Even the creatures, normally breaking the silence of night, each with its own unique voice, felt the mood radiating from their surroundings and remained silent.
Entering this stillness, swirling mist broke out of the forbidden forest; a cold, gray fog covering the ground and blocking the faint moonlight from the surface of the earth. The mist wrapped around Hagrid’s Hut, breaking like waves against the wooden walls, and continued on its way toward the dark castle.
A young man observed the scene from one of the castle’s high towers. As the mist reached the walls surrounding the school and began pouring through the gate, he could almost imagine that the school no longer sat on land but floated above it in the clouds. There was security in that thought, however false it was. And he knew it was false. There was nowhere safe, not anymore.
Something was coming, a darkness unlike that of the night. Cold that pierced not only the body but also the soul. Evil that would not rest until hope, and warmth, and goodness were but a weak memory, if even then. And he knew, he felt, it was coming soon.
A chilling wind blew through the open window in front of him. It ruffled his already unkempt hair and sent its icy tendrils through his thin robes. He took no notice of the cold, his mind occupied with hundreds of unpleasant thoughts.
Out in the night, thick, dark storm clouds began to gather, cutting off the faint light of the moon. In the absence of this revealing light, unnoticed by the troubled young man, silent figures crept out of the protection of the forbidden forest. Long black cloaks flowed around them as they converged upon the gate that would lead them towards their goal. Ample hoods rested upon their heads, hiding their identity from all who would look upon them. Lust for power and fear of their master drove them forward. Victory this night would bring great rewards. Defeat meant death.
One by one they entered the dark halls of the castle, each to their own dark mission. Malevolence, like their cloaks, seemed to surround them as they silently moved through the school. Yet the castle slept on, unaware of the danger within.
Up in the tower, the young man seemed to sense the change within the castle. Jumping up from where he sat, he made to grab his wand, but within seconds was frozen in place. There was death in the air. A shrill scream pierced the silence of the night followed by a blinding flash of green light, unseen by all those within the castle walls.
Signaled, as though by the scream of a life now destroyed, darkness made itself known. Shooting up over the treetops of the forbidden forest, from seemingly hundreds of different locations, bright green fireworks cast their eerie glow over everything in sight before fading slowly into smoke. Rising up in their wake, a bright green skull settled itself over the forest; an image of a snake protruded from its gaping mouth. The symbol that made even the strongest wizard fearful and the most hopeful lose heart. The sign of Lord Voldemort.
In the light of their master’s symbol, having abandoned all pretense of subtlety, a host of dark robed figurers darted out of the forest. Brilliant light erupted from their raised wands and streaked towards the castle. As wave upon wave of light impacted with the ancient walls, it seemed the very foundation of the school was trembling. The very spells that had held the castle together and protected it for hundreds of years were being tested and they were failing against the onslaught of dark magic.
Racing down a corridor, having abandoned his tower, the young man dodged stones as they fell from the now unstable walls and ceilings. He knew it was only a matter of time before the castle collapsed in on itself, killing all those inside and saving the darksiders the trouble of doing the job themselves. The need to get out was overwhelming, causing him to abandon caution and run even faster then wisdom dictated.
His heart was pounding in his chest, his breaths coming in short gasps, as he rounded the corner he hoped would lead to freedom. Only a short distance away the front doors of the school stood, open and inviting, calling him to the escape they offered. Yet he came to a stop in front of them, hesitating. He could hear the screams of students and teachers echoing in the entrance hall. He knew, with a sense of desperation, he couldn’t just leave them without trying to help.
His hesitation was all the dark one needed. It raised its wand and muttered a curse, directing it at the boy. Turning around, the young man froze as a beam of light sped toward him. Roaring filled his ears. Within seconds his world seemed to be filled with brilliant green light and a penetrating cold. An agony unlike anything he had known before filled him, only releasing its claws as darkness claimed its ownership over him.
--------------------------------------------------
The memory of dazzling light and agonizing pain still fresh in his mind, fourteen-year-old Harry Potter bolted upright in bed. Taking several shaky breaths, he tried to calm his racing heart and mind. It was only a dream… only another dream.
Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and placing them on the floor, he tried to make himself forget how real everything had seemed. It felt as thought he had actually been at Hogwarts in the midst of a death-eater attack. Yet he knew he hadn’t been. Of course that doesn’t mean I won’t be, eventually.
It was less than a month since the most feared dark lord of the century had returned, regaining his old strength, and it was only a matter of time before he resumed his campaign of terror. Those who acknowledged his return were preparing themselves for a difficult fight.
Harry’s mind again drifted to Hogwarts. If Voldemort was indeed more powerful than before, as Prof. Trelawney predicted, it wasn’t unlikely that he would go after Hogwarts. After all, Hogwarts, along with its Headmaster, was a symbol. It was known as one of the safest places in the wizarding world, a stronghold of the light. Its fall would be devastating.
But that wouldn’t happen. It couldn’t.
Harry tried to push all these thoughts out of his head. They weren’t doing him any good. They only succeeded in giving him nightmares and sleep-deprivation. He didn’t need anymore things to think about. The events of the Third Task still hovered, even present, in his mind. Cedric’s death still weighed down on him. No, I don’t need anything else to worry about right now. Anyway, what had Hagrid said? What will come will come. I can only control how I meet it when it does.
Focusing on that, and on as many happy memories of his friends he could think of, Harry laid down again in an attempt to sleep. After all, His Aunt and Uncle would probably have an unrealistically long list of chores for him to do come tomorrow. He would need all the sleep he could get.
--THE END--
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
07/07/05: This is just a small idea I got that came out of my efforts to write my own version of Harry’s fifth year, although it is only slightly related to the aforementioned efforts.
03/26/06: I think the idea came from a dream (or nightmare) I had of the dark mark hovering over the forbidden forest. In the dream I think it was actually several dark marks, but I didn't use that many in the story. I wrote this rather quickly if I remember correctly. It is by no means a great example of writing, but it's something.
Order of the Phoenix: Pureblood Status and the Potters
First Draft - March 26, 2006
This is all, of course, more opinion and speculation then anything else.
The Potters are a very old wizarding family. According to official standards they are considered purebloods. Pureblood fanatics, while categorizing the family as purebloods, would (and do) consider the Potters to be blood traitors not only in that they consider muggles worthy of life, but they also consider muggleborns worthy of studying magic and of association. This is seen in that James Potter, a pureblood wizard, married Lily Evans, a muggleborn witch.
Out of all the pureblood families, the Potter are probably one of the most despised by those who hold the so called purity of blood to be important. It would not be considered odd for the Potters to be called muggle-lovers and blood traitors when referred to in conversations by the other purebloods, that is, when they are mentioned at all.
The Potters status as purebloods was retained, despite their love of muggles and muggleborns, in that they have never actually married muggles, and very few muggleborns (it works itself out after a few generations, in my opinion). Their marital connection with muggles have always been very distant. Their love of muggles more abstract and on principle than out of experience. They have done this not out of arrogance or snobbery, but simply because they don’t get out of the magical community enough to fall in love with any muggles. They have mainly met their future spouses at Hogwarts, which as anyone knows, only teaches those who have magical abilities. So, they have remained purebloods more out of lack of opportunity than any desire to do so.
This is all, of course, more opinion and speculation then anything else.
The Potters are a very old wizarding family. According to official standards they are considered purebloods. Pureblood fanatics, while categorizing the family as purebloods, would (and do) consider the Potters to be blood traitors not only in that they consider muggles worthy of life, but they also consider muggleborns worthy of studying magic and of association. This is seen in that James Potter, a pureblood wizard, married Lily Evans, a muggleborn witch.
Out of all the pureblood families, the Potter are probably one of the most despised by those who hold the so called purity of blood to be important. It would not be considered odd for the Potters to be called muggle-lovers and blood traitors when referred to in conversations by the other purebloods, that is, when they are mentioned at all.
The Potters status as purebloods was retained, despite their love of muggles and muggleborns, in that they have never actually married muggles, and very few muggleborns (it works itself out after a few generations, in my opinion). Their marital connection with muggles have always been very distant. Their love of muggles more abstract and on principle than out of experience. They have done this not out of arrogance or snobbery, but simply because they don’t get out of the magical community enough to fall in love with any muggles. They have mainly met their future spouses at Hogwarts, which as anyone knows, only teaches those who have magical abilities. So, they have remained purebloods more out of lack of opportunity than any desire to do so.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Order of the Phoenix: Harry and the Killing Curse
(The following is my take on things. If anyone can think of anything better...)
KILLING CURSE -
The killing curse (Avada Kadavra) is one of the unforgivable curses, outlawed by the ministry of magic and holding a lifetime sentence to Azkaban for its use on humans. There is no known counter to the curse which kills its victims instantly in a flash of green light and the sound of rushing wind, leaving no visible mark or cause of death. Only one person (Harry Potter) is known to have survived the curse.
HOW HARRY SURVIVED THE KILLING CURSE (first draft) -
THE FIRST POINT:
Wizard children (those children with magical abilities) have been known to unconsciously use magic when frightened, or angry. Harry transported himself to the school roof when Dudley and his gang were after him. He also made the glass vanish from the snake cage at the zoo when mad at Dudley. Neville made himself bounce when he was dropped from a second story window by his uncle. These things happen, seemingly, without the children actively trying to do them. They seem to be an accepted part of growing up with magic blood. In fact, parents (and others) think it quite strange if occurrences such as what happened to Harry and Neville don’t happen at some point (I feel quite sorry for muggle parents). Children go to school in order to learn to control the power they have, not to acquire it (at least this is mostly the case).
THE SECOND POINT:
A wizard’s ability to do magic depends on the amount of power they hold. Some wizards can’t do certain spells because they aren’t powerful enough. These types of spells are usually considered advanced magic. For example, the patronus charm is considered very advanced magic (up until the fifth book) and very few wizards can actually do it (or they have problems doing it), even more so have the charm take an actual recognizable shape. The same goes with the killing curse. A great deal of power must be behind it to make it work (most students wouldn’t have the skill to do it). So, the more advanced the magic, the more power is required to do the magic.
THE THIRD POINT:
In my (my being Tracy) version of the Harry Potter universe Harry is as strong (or capable of becoming as strong) as Voldemort, with Dumbledore coming in a close second. In other words, Harry and Voldemort are slightly more powerful then Dumbledore (known to be one of the most powerful wizards of his time). So, Harry should be capable of doing some very advanced magic (intentionally or unintentionally).
THE FORTH POINT:
It is thought that there is no way to block the killing curse. Most (if not all) would say it has no counter curse. The only way to avoid it is to duck. A more proper way to say it would be that there is no KNOWN counter curse. It seems reasonable to state that just because no one knows of a counter doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. It also seems reasonable to state that a counter to the killing curse would be extremely advanced magic. It would take as much, if not more, power then that being used on the killing curse to affectively use the counter curse (if one did exist).
[ begin note:
How are curses and counter curses discovered? From what we have seen, it is done by experimentation. How then would the counter curse to the killing curse be discovered without someone getting killed in the process? Would someone try to block it when it wasn’t aimed at them? It seems like part of the counter curse would be the extreme desire not to get killed. Can someone, than effectively experiment when they aren’t in danger of dying? How about practicing the counter curse? Wouldn’t the same problem apply? Just some thoughts.
end note ]
CONCLUSION:
Harry blocked the killing curse. All that happened (the scar, the transfer of powers [or connection to Voldemort], the destruction of the house, the death of Voldemort, etc.) was the result of the counter curse.
NOTES:
Remembering that the killing curse actually touched Harry (or so it seems), I was thinking a little more about how blocking it would actually work. It doesn’t seem like it is blocking it in the traditional sense if it actually touches the person. Nor do I think it is reversing the killing curse. It would seem like, then, that there is a split second right after the curse hits and before the person is actually dead when it is possible to block/reverse (or expel to use another term) the curse. It would also seem likely that only the person being hit with the curse could accomplish this (or maybe I think it is very convenient for me if this were true). It would make sense. All attempts to block the curse before it hits a person have failed. There is no known spell to bring back the dead. Both of these things have probably been looked into a great deal. What if, then, the defeat of the killing curse lies somewhere in between?
KILLING CURSE -
The killing curse (Avada Kadavra) is one of the unforgivable curses, outlawed by the ministry of magic and holding a lifetime sentence to Azkaban for its use on humans. There is no known counter to the curse which kills its victims instantly in a flash of green light and the sound of rushing wind, leaving no visible mark or cause of death. Only one person (Harry Potter) is known to have survived the curse.
HOW HARRY SURVIVED THE KILLING CURSE (first draft) -
THE FIRST POINT:
Wizard children (those children with magical abilities) have been known to unconsciously use magic when frightened, or angry. Harry transported himself to the school roof when Dudley and his gang were after him. He also made the glass vanish from the snake cage at the zoo when mad at Dudley. Neville made himself bounce when he was dropped from a second story window by his uncle. These things happen, seemingly, without the children actively trying to do them. They seem to be an accepted part of growing up with magic blood. In fact, parents (and others) think it quite strange if occurrences such as what happened to Harry and Neville don’t happen at some point (I feel quite sorry for muggle parents). Children go to school in order to learn to control the power they have, not to acquire it (at least this is mostly the case).
THE SECOND POINT:
A wizard’s ability to do magic depends on the amount of power they hold. Some wizards can’t do certain spells because they aren’t powerful enough. These types of spells are usually considered advanced magic. For example, the patronus charm is considered very advanced magic (up until the fifth book) and very few wizards can actually do it (or they have problems doing it), even more so have the charm take an actual recognizable shape. The same goes with the killing curse. A great deal of power must be behind it to make it work (most students wouldn’t have the skill to do it). So, the more advanced the magic, the more power is required to do the magic.
THE THIRD POINT:
In my (my being Tracy) version of the Harry Potter universe Harry is as strong (or capable of becoming as strong) as Voldemort, with Dumbledore coming in a close second. In other words, Harry and Voldemort are slightly more powerful then Dumbledore (known to be one of the most powerful wizards of his time). So, Harry should be capable of doing some very advanced magic (intentionally or unintentionally).
THE FORTH POINT:
It is thought that there is no way to block the killing curse. Most (if not all) would say it has no counter curse. The only way to avoid it is to duck. A more proper way to say it would be that there is no KNOWN counter curse. It seems reasonable to state that just because no one knows of a counter doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. It also seems reasonable to state that a counter to the killing curse would be extremely advanced magic. It would take as much, if not more, power then that being used on the killing curse to affectively use the counter curse (if one did exist).
[ begin note:
How are curses and counter curses discovered? From what we have seen, it is done by experimentation. How then would the counter curse to the killing curse be discovered without someone getting killed in the process? Would someone try to block it when it wasn’t aimed at them? It seems like part of the counter curse would be the extreme desire not to get killed. Can someone, than effectively experiment when they aren’t in danger of dying? How about practicing the counter curse? Wouldn’t the same problem apply? Just some thoughts.
end note ]
CONCLUSION:
Harry blocked the killing curse. All that happened (the scar, the transfer of powers [or connection to Voldemort], the destruction of the house, the death of Voldemort, etc.) was the result of the counter curse.
NOTES:
Remembering that the killing curse actually touched Harry (or so it seems), I was thinking a little more about how blocking it would actually work. It doesn’t seem like it is blocking it in the traditional sense if it actually touches the person. Nor do I think it is reversing the killing curse. It would seem like, then, that there is a split second right after the curse hits and before the person is actually dead when it is possible to block/reverse (or expel to use another term) the curse. It would also seem likely that only the person being hit with the curse could accomplish this (or maybe I think it is very convenient for me if this were true). It would make sense. All attempts to block the curse before it hits a person have failed. There is no known spell to bring back the dead. Both of these things have probably been looked into a great deal. What if, then, the defeat of the killing curse lies somewhere in between?
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