I ran across this perfect quote in the Dresden Files book 'Fool Moon':
"It isn't enough to stand up and fight darkness. You've got to stand apart from it, too. You've got to be different from it." -- Harry Dresden
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Earth Contact
The first season of Stargate Atlantis has always been my favorite because they were separated from Earth and "trapped" in another, hostile galaxy.
I have been thinking through AU methods of keeping them out of contact with Earth longer. The problem, though, is the ZPM and the shield. In order to last against the Wraith they need the shield. But if they have a ZPM to power the shield, then they could dial earth.
I came up with one idea, all based on the fact that the Atlantis Stargate is the only way back to Earth. If they were forced to disable this functionality (before getting a ZPM), in order to keep the Stargate from falling into the hands of the Wraith in a way that is hard (if not impossible) to fix, then they could acquire a ZPM and still not have the ability to contact Earth. In this AU, they would never have sent the data stream to Earth.
Another possibility is that they find a ZPM at the last min when being attacked (not enough time to contact Earth) and it is drained in the defense of Atlantis. Leaving them safe from the Wraith attack at the end of Season 1, yet back to where they were before they found the ZPM. In this version, the gate would still be capable of dialing Earth and they probably would have sent the data stream to Earth.
They would contact Earth eventually, or Earth would contact them eventually, but maybe not for several years.
I have been thinking through AU methods of keeping them out of contact with Earth longer. The problem, though, is the ZPM and the shield. In order to last against the Wraith they need the shield. But if they have a ZPM to power the shield, then they could dial earth.
I came up with one idea, all based on the fact that the Atlantis Stargate is the only way back to Earth. If they were forced to disable this functionality (before getting a ZPM), in order to keep the Stargate from falling into the hands of the Wraith in a way that is hard (if not impossible) to fix, then they could acquire a ZPM and still not have the ability to contact Earth. In this AU, they would never have sent the data stream to Earth.
Another possibility is that they find a ZPM at the last min when being attacked (not enough time to contact Earth) and it is drained in the defense of Atlantis. Leaving them safe from the Wraith attack at the end of Season 1, yet back to where they were before they found the ZPM. In this version, the gate would still be capable of dialing Earth and they probably would have sent the data stream to Earth.
They would contact Earth eventually, or Earth would contact them eventually, but maybe not for several years.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Crown
This is a partial, and not very good, description of a scene I was considering. Perhaps I will work on it more later.
--------------------------
The wind swirled around them as he knelt before her. When she reached out her hand to touch the crown he arrogantly wore, it was turned to dust and caught up in the vortex. The wind moved faster now, narrowing its focus on the shining figure of the girl, until at last the remains of the crown swirled around her head like a crown of dust. A particle erupted in a beam of light, and like a fire it spread to those around it, until it was impossible to look at her. As suddenly as it started, it stopped. The dust had once again become the crown. Its rightful owner had claimed it.
--------------------------
The wind swirled around them as he knelt before her. When she reached out her hand to touch the crown he arrogantly wore, it was turned to dust and caught up in the vortex. The wind moved faster now, narrowing its focus on the shining figure of the girl, until at last the remains of the crown swirled around her head like a crown of dust. A particle erupted in a beam of light, and like a fire it spread to those around it, until it was impossible to look at her. As suddenly as it started, it stopped. The dust had once again become the crown. Its rightful owner had claimed it.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Journey's End Alternate Ending
I wasn't very satisfied with the very end of the Doctor Who episode "Journey's End", so I decided to write my own. It's very short. It didn't need to be long.
You could say it has spoilers.
---------------------------------------------------------
He closed the door and took his wet jacket off as he walked up the ramp. He was alone again. Donna was gone, lost to him. The rain pouring down outside was quite appropriate given his mood.
There was nothing for it though. He could only go on, keep on traveling. He walked over to the controls and started moving levers and pushing buttons. The familiar sounds of the TARDIS started up and he was on his way. Despite everything that had happened, though, the thrill of it was beginning to creep back into him, encouraged by the sounds of the ship. He slowly started to smile.
Donna may not be able to remember him, but she was alive. They were all alive. Rose, Jackie, Mickey, Martha, Jack, Sarah, and Donna. Alive. He was smiling widely now, and running around the console adjusting things.
There was a loud bang and he was suddenly lying on the floor. His entire body felt like it was on fire. It made no sense. It wasn’t possible. He was regenerating.
He snapped awake. The TARDIS was quite. He scrambled to his feet and raced to the closet. The mirror was there. The man in the mirror wasn’t the same as before. He had indeed regenerated.
“WHAT?!”
-- THE END --
You could say it has spoilers.
---------------------------------------------------------
He closed the door and took his wet jacket off as he walked up the ramp. He was alone again. Donna was gone, lost to him. The rain pouring down outside was quite appropriate given his mood.
There was nothing for it though. He could only go on, keep on traveling. He walked over to the controls and started moving levers and pushing buttons. The familiar sounds of the TARDIS started up and he was on his way. Despite everything that had happened, though, the thrill of it was beginning to creep back into him, encouraged by the sounds of the ship. He slowly started to smile.
Donna may not be able to remember him, but she was alive. They were all alive. Rose, Jackie, Mickey, Martha, Jack, Sarah, and Donna. Alive. He was smiling widely now, and running around the console adjusting things.
There was a loud bang and he was suddenly lying on the floor. His entire body felt like it was on fire. It made no sense. It wasn’t possible. He was regenerating.
He snapped awake. The TARDIS was quite. He scrambled to his feet and raced to the closet. The mirror was there. The man in the mirror wasn’t the same as before. He had indeed regenerated.
“WHAT?!”
-- THE END --
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Potential Plot Holes
J. K. Rowling created a brilliant world with incredible characters... but her plot development leaves a great deal to be desired at times.
For example, in "Chamber of Secrets", why were the petrified students not taken to the real wizard hospital? (introduced in book five, and mentioned in book four.) Considering the general usefulness of the Mandrake potion (returning transfigured people to their original state), it would seem like they would have some available? What good is having a hospital otherwise?
It is many little things like this (and a few major things) that make me doubt her ability to come up with a strong, stable plot.
For example, in "Chamber of Secrets", why were the petrified students not taken to the real wizard hospital? (introduced in book five, and mentioned in book four.) Considering the general usefulness of the Mandrake potion (returning transfigured people to their original state), it would seem like they would have some available? What good is having a hospital otherwise?
It is many little things like this (and a few major things) that make me doubt her ability to come up with a strong, stable plot.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Character Deaths
I've been thinking a little about the characters killed off in the Harry Potter series. Other than the outrage I feel about some of them, I can only think of one or two of the deaths that actually had any impact or import to me.
The top two are Cedric and Dobby, with Dumbledore coming in a distant third. It's possible Moody is in there somewhere. Other than that though, I didn't gain (or lose) anything from the deaths. That is part of the reason most of the deaths bother me so much. It seems like nothing was made of them. Even their pointlessness was ignored. What's the point of killing someone off (expecially "major" characters) if you aren't really going to do anything with it?!
The top two are Cedric and Dobby, with Dumbledore coming in a distant third. It's possible Moody is in there somewhere. Other than that though, I didn't gain (or lose) anything from the deaths. That is part of the reason most of the deaths bother me so much. It seems like nothing was made of them. Even their pointlessness was ignored. What's the point of killing someone off (expecially "major" characters) if you aren't really going to do anything with it?!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Meddling
I don't know the details yet, but it appears JKR is meddling with her Harry Potter characters again, specifically James Potter and Sirius Black. In my experience, ever since the 5th book, this hasn't been a good thing.
Why can't she just stop like she said she would and put the series behind her. Please... leave the poor characters alone. They have been abused enough. I'm tired of having to add more things to the list of character mutilations that I need to fix. It's already quite long :(
Why can't she just stop like she said she would and put the series behind her. Please... leave the poor characters alone. They have been abused enough. I'm tired of having to add more things to the list of character mutilations that I need to fix. It's already quite long :(
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Harry Potter: Response
Author’s Note:
This is a short story written in response to JKR’s October “Character Development.” It made no sense given what we were told in the books, and in my opinion, took away from the story. Take that as you will.
--------------------------------------------
Response…
Harry stood in front of the door to the Headmaster’s office. He wasn’t entirely sure he should be doing this. Asking Professor Dumbledore for advice about his problems with Lord Voldemort was one thing; questions of a personal nature were another.
Before he could turn around and make his way down the stairs, the door to the office opened and Dumbledore summoned him inside. Harry didn’t remember knocking.
“Ah Harry, how are you this evening?”
“Oh…good…sir”
“Is something troubling you?”
“Well…you see… the article in the daily prophet…well…”
Harry stumbled to a stop. He didn’t know how to ask. He needn’t have worried.
“Ah yes, a most interesting article.” Dumbledore looked amused. Harry couldn’t understand why. If Rita Skeeter had said things like that about him… not that she hadn’t come close. And then there was what she had said about Hermione. Harry knew she couldn’t be trusted, but he still wondered.
“I was wondering… sir… if any … well… if any…” Harry paused. “If any of it was true, sir”.
Dumbledore sighed, loosing the amusement he had shown earlier.
“The world is a complicated place Harry. Many of the facts Miss Skeeter presents in her article are true. Yet her interpretation of those facts… and her conclusions… Facts, Harry, can be interpreted many different ways, depending on the your goals. Interpretations must be tested. Let me ask you this, given what you know of me and Miss Skeeter, do you believe her interpretation of the facts?”
Harry looked down, thinking over the list of facts Skeeter presented in her article. Dumbledore’s association with Grindlewald was strange, he admitted. He wouldn’t have thought the professor would get involved with someone like him. Still, Skeeter’s reasons seemed a little far-fetched, given what little they know about what went on. It seemed very unlikely that he would follow Grindlewald because he was in love with him. There were other reasons Harry could think of that sounded much more like the Dumbledore he knew.
Harry looked up and met Dumbledore’s eyes.
“No, sir. I don’t believe she’s right.”
“Why then, do you think, she would say what she has”
“Well, it makes people question whether they know you, whether you have been honest with them. It would make her popular with the ministry, given your conflict with them… um… it would also get her a lot of attention.”
“Very good Harry… Always remember to think carefully over what you hear about others. Test it against what you, yourself, know. And don’t just doubt what you hear about your friends. Remember that the same thing happens to those you don’t know. Believing in things before you know the facts from the people involved can be very destructive.”
Dumbledore continued.
“Now, if I am not mistaken, you have a Quidditch game tomorrow to rest up for. You wouldn’t want to disappoint Professor McGonagall by falling asleep on your broom. You know how she delights in the game. Off you go…”
Harry heard the door shut behind him. He was glad he came. Now, he just needed to remember to look for his Quidditch robes before he went to bed…
--------------------------------------------
Back in the Headmaster’s office, Albus Dumbledore sat down at his desk with a sigh. He was weary. Rita Skeeter’s article was just the latest in a string of attacks against him. There seemed to be no end in sight, and also no depths his opponents wouldn’t sink to. If they would devote as much time to hunting down dark wizards as they did when making up these ridiculous stories… Albus sighed again. No matter. He allies stood with him. He would rest in that.
This is a short story written in response to JKR’s October “Character Development.” It made no sense given what we were told in the books, and in my opinion, took away from the story. Take that as you will.
--------------------------------------------
Response…
Harry stood in front of the door to the Headmaster’s office. He wasn’t entirely sure he should be doing this. Asking Professor Dumbledore for advice about his problems with Lord Voldemort was one thing; questions of a personal nature were another.
Before he could turn around and make his way down the stairs, the door to the office opened and Dumbledore summoned him inside. Harry didn’t remember knocking.
“Ah Harry, how are you this evening?”
“Oh…good…sir”
“Is something troubling you?”
“Well…you see… the article in the daily prophet…well…”
Harry stumbled to a stop. He didn’t know how to ask. He needn’t have worried.
“Ah yes, a most interesting article.” Dumbledore looked amused. Harry couldn’t understand why. If Rita Skeeter had said things like that about him… not that she hadn’t come close. And then there was what she had said about Hermione. Harry knew she couldn’t be trusted, but he still wondered.
“I was wondering… sir… if any … well… if any…” Harry paused. “If any of it was true, sir”.
Dumbledore sighed, loosing the amusement he had shown earlier.
“The world is a complicated place Harry. Many of the facts Miss Skeeter presents in her article are true. Yet her interpretation of those facts… and her conclusions… Facts, Harry, can be interpreted many different ways, depending on the your goals. Interpretations must be tested. Let me ask you this, given what you know of me and Miss Skeeter, do you believe her interpretation of the facts?”
Harry looked down, thinking over the list of facts Skeeter presented in her article. Dumbledore’s association with Grindlewald was strange, he admitted. He wouldn’t have thought the professor would get involved with someone like him. Still, Skeeter’s reasons seemed a little far-fetched, given what little they know about what went on. It seemed very unlikely that he would follow Grindlewald because he was in love with him. There were other reasons Harry could think of that sounded much more like the Dumbledore he knew.
Harry looked up and met Dumbledore’s eyes.
“No, sir. I don’t believe she’s right.”
“Why then, do you think, she would say what she has”
“Well, it makes people question whether they know you, whether you have been honest with them. It would make her popular with the ministry, given your conflict with them… um… it would also get her a lot of attention.”
“Very good Harry… Always remember to think carefully over what you hear about others. Test it against what you, yourself, know. And don’t just doubt what you hear about your friends. Remember that the same thing happens to those you don’t know. Believing in things before you know the facts from the people involved can be very destructive.”
Dumbledore continued.
“Now, if I am not mistaken, you have a Quidditch game tomorrow to rest up for. You wouldn’t want to disappoint Professor McGonagall by falling asleep on your broom. You know how she delights in the game. Off you go…”
Harry heard the door shut behind him. He was glad he came. Now, he just needed to remember to look for his Quidditch robes before he went to bed…
--------------------------------------------
Back in the Headmaster’s office, Albus Dumbledore sat down at his desk with a sigh. He was weary. Rita Skeeter’s article was just the latest in a string of attacks against him. There seemed to be no end in sight, and also no depths his opponents wouldn’t sink to. If they would devote as much time to hunting down dark wizards as they did when making up these ridiculous stories… Albus sighed again. No matter. He allies stood with him. He would rest in that.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Harry Potter: Veil
8/25/2005 (according to the document modification date)
<begin lecture>
Veiled Archway
Department of Mysteries
Ministry of Magic
Very little is known about the ancient archway, whose opening is covered by a veil, that sits in a chamber in the department of mysteries. There are times when the veil covering the archway flaps, as thought blown by wind, and voices can be heard beyond it. It is believed that the archway is kept in the department of mysteries as a tool for studying death. Beyond that, nothing else if mentioned about the archway. It seems as though the power of the archway is common knowledge in the wizarding world, but that is not known to be a fact.
</end lecture>
You remember that discussion we were having concerning bringing people back to life. Andrea mentioned using the archway or a twin to the archway the brought people back instead of killing them. I’ve seen a fan-fiction that has done this before. It wasn’t very well written but they did use the idea.
For some reason, I was thinking about that today and I came up with an interesting idea. As far as I can tell, no one really knows what the archway does. For some reason, perhaps written history or writing on the archway itself, they believe it to be associated with death. The information we are given about the archway in the fifth book is actually very limited (so much so people debate on whether Bellatrix killed Sirius or falling though the archway killed him). We do know it’s very, very, very old. Perhaps so old that its real use and knowledge of it has been lost in time (extremely possible).
So here is my idea...
What if there was an inscription, on the archway or near where it was found, that gave a warning. Death and suffering to all who path though the veil. Or something like that. But what if passing though the veil didn’t actually kill people, but just made them as good as dead. Trapped somewhere, not in our world (dimension), that they couldn’t of their own will leave. This is where the other archway would come in. The archway in the ministry would be an entrance. The other archway would be the the exit (kind of).
Why I say “kind of” concerning the exit is because trapped people can’t choose to leave though the exit. They must be summed though it by someone on the other side. By summed I’m thinking that the summoner must throw an object belonging to the person they want though the veil and say a certain incantation. They wouldn’t be able to call people who had really died, just people who had passed through the other veil.
The world beyond the veil would not be a nice place. It would be on the negative side of “like death”. It would not be a place people would want to go. I haven’t worked out the details of that though. I do believe that time would pass like it did in our world. There might even be things that grew there (they have to eat something perhaps). Beyond that, I don’t know yet. I was thinking that it might be a cross between the prison world SG-1 got sent to where they found the destroyer of worlds (whose name I can’t spell) and the dark island in Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Now you might ask, why would anyone create something like this? My answer would be that it was the ancient form of Azkaban. I place to banish dark wizards or those who committed crimes. It could be both a permanent form of punishment or a temporary form of punishment (hence the way to summon people out).
I figure that by the time of the fifth book, people would have forgotten all this. Perhaps the people who created it died out in ancient times and someone found the veil without knowing what it did, brought it back to their own land, and myth grew out of its use there. The history of the archway in that land might be the history people know.
Anyway, it’s just an idea. I thought it was an interesting one.
<begin lecture>
Veiled Archway
Department of Mysteries
Ministry of Magic
Very little is known about the ancient archway, whose opening is covered by a veil, that sits in a chamber in the department of mysteries. There are times when the veil covering the archway flaps, as thought blown by wind, and voices can be heard beyond it. It is believed that the archway is kept in the department of mysteries as a tool for studying death. Beyond that, nothing else if mentioned about the archway. It seems as though the power of the archway is common knowledge in the wizarding world, but that is not known to be a fact.
</end lecture>
You remember that discussion we were having concerning bringing people back to life. Andrea mentioned using the archway or a twin to the archway the brought people back instead of killing them. I’ve seen a fan-fiction that has done this before. It wasn’t very well written but they did use the idea.
For some reason, I was thinking about that today and I came up with an interesting idea. As far as I can tell, no one really knows what the archway does. For some reason, perhaps written history or writing on the archway itself, they believe it to be associated with death. The information we are given about the archway in the fifth book is actually very limited (so much so people debate on whether Bellatrix killed Sirius or falling though the archway killed him). We do know it’s very, very, very old. Perhaps so old that its real use and knowledge of it has been lost in time (extremely possible).
So here is my idea...
What if there was an inscription, on the archway or near where it was found, that gave a warning. Death and suffering to all who path though the veil. Or something like that. But what if passing though the veil didn’t actually kill people, but just made them as good as dead. Trapped somewhere, not in our world (dimension), that they couldn’t of their own will leave. This is where the other archway would come in. The archway in the ministry would be an entrance. The other archway would be the the exit (kind of).
Why I say “kind of” concerning the exit is because trapped people can’t choose to leave though the exit. They must be summed though it by someone on the other side. By summed I’m thinking that the summoner must throw an object belonging to the person they want though the veil and say a certain incantation. They wouldn’t be able to call people who had really died, just people who had passed through the other veil.
The world beyond the veil would not be a nice place. It would be on the negative side of “like death”. It would not be a place people would want to go. I haven’t worked out the details of that though. I do believe that time would pass like it did in our world. There might even be things that grew there (they have to eat something perhaps). Beyond that, I don’t know yet. I was thinking that it might be a cross between the prison world SG-1 got sent to where they found the destroyer of worlds (whose name I can’t spell) and the dark island in Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Now you might ask, why would anyone create something like this? My answer would be that it was the ancient form of Azkaban. I place to banish dark wizards or those who committed crimes. It could be both a permanent form of punishment or a temporary form of punishment (hence the way to summon people out).
I figure that by the time of the fifth book, people would have forgotten all this. Perhaps the people who created it died out in ancient times and someone found the veil without knowing what it did, brought it back to their own land, and myth grew out of its use there. The history of the archway in that land might be the history people know.
Anyway, it’s just an idea. I thought it was an interesting one.
HP FICTION: The Problem with Words
Title: The Problem with Words
Timeframe: MWPP Era
Genre: General, Comedy (my version at least)
Summary: James, Peter, and Remus take a trip to the library.
Disclaimer: The Marauders, Hogwarts, and the rest of the Wizarding World belong to J.K. Rowlings. I should limit my comments to that lest I get myself in trouble :)
Note: I never posted this on fanfiction.net. I wrote this after reading lots of MWPP Era fan-fictions and hearing many "Sirius/Serious" jokes. It's possible it only makes sense to me :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Ow! Peter that was my foot!” --James
“Sorry” -- Peter
“Sh, quiet... I thought I heard something.” --Remus
“Stop worrying, we’re not gonna get caught.” --James
“Easy for you to say, you’ve already got detention this week” --Remus
“Now who’s the one talking” --James
“grrrrr” --Remus
several minuets pass with only the sound of shoes on stone.
“You’re sure Sirius isn’t going to wake up?” --Remus
“Positive” --James
“He won’t like it if he finds we went out without him.” --Remus
“If no one tells him, he won’t find out.” --James
silence
“Why are we doing this again?” --Peter
“We’ve been over this. It’s for the good of the school” --James
“For the good of the school? I thought it was because you’re tired of... did you hear that?” --Remus
“Hear what? Your imagining things. Look...we’re almost there.” --James
“For your information, I have good hearing.” --Remus
“Um...I can’t get the door open guys. Do they lock it at night?” --Peter
“Lock the door to the Library? Why would they do that?” --James
“Maybe because they’re tired of books disappearing in the middle of the night?” --Remus
James glares at Remus who can’t see him in the dark.
“How do we get in?” --Peter
“If both of you will just stand aside.” --Remus
“Alohomora” --Remus
“I know there was a reason we brought you.” --James
“I still don’t understand. Why don’t we just do this in the morning?” --Peter
“Because then Sirius will be with us.” --James
“Why does it matter?” --Peter
“I’d feel like an idiot?” --James
“And of course detention is much better the feeling like an idiot, so...” --Remus
James glares at Remus who doesn’t appear to be paying attention.
“I think it would be in this section.” --Remus
“Is it that one?” --Peter
“Yah, this is it.” --Remus
“What does it say.” --James
“I wouldn’t know, I haven’t opened the book yet.” --Remus
“Well hurry up, we don’t have all night.” --James
“Patience, I have to find the right section.” --Remus
“Is it in alphabeticall order?” --Peter
“Of course.” --Remus
small amount of time passes.
“Found it yet.” --James
Remus glares at James.
“It wouldn’t be taking so long if I had enought light, but someone insisted...” --Remus
“Alright, alright, will you just find the information.” --James
“Okay here...um...this might be harder then we thought.” --Remus
“What is it?” --Peter
“Look at this list” --Remus
“Well, we’ll just have to try each of them. Do you have parchment with you?” --James
“And a quill?” --Peter
“Why would I?” --Remus
“Because that’s your job!” --James
“We’ll just have to take the book back with us.” --Remus
“But He’ll see it!” --James
“Quiet! It’s just a risk we’ll have to take.” --Remus
“Ok, fine. But if he finds out, I’m blaiming it all on you.” --James
“Fine.” --Remus
“Are we going now? I thought I heard something” --Peter
“Not you too!?” --James
“Oh come on!” --Remus
“Don’t forget to relock the door.” --James
“Ow, Peter will you please watch where you’re going.” --Remus
“Sorry, but it’s so dark.” --Peter
--------------------------------------------------------
Sirius Black woke the next morning and found his friend’s beds empty. He wondered where they were. They usually didn’t get up any earlier than him. Getting dressed and wandering down to the common room he found them. They were over at one of the corner tables, asleep. A large book was open on the table in front of them and he could see James’ invisibility cloak draped across the back of his chair. Careful not to disturbed them, Sirius looked to see what they were reading...
Lily Evens was just coming into the common room when Sirius rushed past her, almost knocking her over. She looked back, confused, ‘What was that about’. Her confusion only increased when she heard laughter coming from the boy’s dormitory. Determined to find out what this was all about, she walked over to the remaining Marauders, who were still asleep. Just as Sirius before her, she looked down to read from the open book on the table and had to stifle a laugh. What she saw was this...
Timeframe: MWPP Era
Genre: General, Comedy (my version at least)
Summary: James, Peter, and Remus take a trip to the library.
Disclaimer: The Marauders, Hogwarts, and the rest of the Wizarding World belong to J.K. Rowlings. I should limit my comments to that lest I get myself in trouble :)
Note: I never posted this on fanfiction.net. I wrote this after reading lots of MWPP Era fan-fictions and hearing many "Sirius/Serious" jokes. It's possible it only makes sense to me :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Ow! Peter that was my foot!” --James
“Sorry” -- Peter
“Sh, quiet... I thought I heard something.” --Remus
“Stop worrying, we’re not gonna get caught.” --James
“Easy for you to say, you’ve already got detention this week” --Remus
“Now who’s the one talking” --James
“grrrrr” --Remus
several minuets pass with only the sound of shoes on stone.
“You’re sure Sirius isn’t going to wake up?” --Remus
“Positive” --James
“He won’t like it if he finds we went out without him.” --Remus
“If no one tells him, he won’t find out.” --James
silence
“Why are we doing this again?” --Peter
“We’ve been over this. It’s for the good of the school” --James
“For the good of the school? I thought it was because you’re tired of... did you hear that?” --Remus
“Hear what? Your imagining things. Look...we’re almost there.” --James
“For your information, I have good hearing.” --Remus
“Um...I can’t get the door open guys. Do they lock it at night?” --Peter
“Lock the door to the Library? Why would they do that?” --James
“Maybe because they’re tired of books disappearing in the middle of the night?” --Remus
James glares at Remus who can’t see him in the dark.
“How do we get in?” --Peter
“If both of you will just stand aside.” --Remus
“Alohomora” --Remus
“I know there was a reason we brought you.” --James
“I still don’t understand. Why don’t we just do this in the morning?” --Peter
“Because then Sirius will be with us.” --James
“Why does it matter?” --Peter
“I’d feel like an idiot?” --James
“And of course detention is much better the feeling like an idiot, so...” --Remus
James glares at Remus who doesn’t appear to be paying attention.
“I think it would be in this section.” --Remus
“Is it that one?” --Peter
“Yah, this is it.” --Remus
“What does it say.” --James
“I wouldn’t know, I haven’t opened the book yet.” --Remus
“Well hurry up, we don’t have all night.” --James
“Patience, I have to find the right section.” --Remus
“Is it in alphabeticall order?” --Peter
“Of course.” --Remus
small amount of time passes.
“Found it yet.” --James
Remus glares at James.
“It wouldn’t be taking so long if I had enought light, but someone insisted...” --Remus
“Alright, alright, will you just find the information.” --James
“Okay here...um...this might be harder then we thought.” --Remus
“What is it?” --Peter
“Look at this list” --Remus
“Well, we’ll just have to try each of them. Do you have parchment with you?” --James
“And a quill?” --Peter
“Why would I?” --Remus
“Because that’s your job!” --James
“We’ll just have to take the book back with us.” --Remus
“But He’ll see it!” --James
“Quiet! It’s just a risk we’ll have to take.” --Remus
“Ok, fine. But if he finds out, I’m blaiming it all on you.” --James
“Fine.” --Remus
“Are we going now? I thought I heard something” --Peter
“Not you too!?” --James
“Oh come on!” --Remus
“Don’t forget to relock the door.” --James
“Ow, Peter will you please watch where you’re going.” --Remus
“Sorry, but it’s so dark.” --Peter
--------------------------------------------------------
Sirius Black woke the next morning and found his friend’s beds empty. He wondered where they were. They usually didn’t get up any earlier than him. Getting dressed and wandering down to the common room he found them. They were over at one of the corner tables, asleep. A large book was open on the table in front of them and he could see James’ invisibility cloak draped across the back of his chair. Careful not to disturbed them, Sirius looked to see what they were reading...
Lily Evens was just coming into the common room when Sirius rushed past her, almost knocking her over. She looked back, confused, ‘What was that about’. Her confusion only increased when she heard laughter coming from the boy’s dormitory. Determined to find out what this was all about, she walked over to the remaining Marauders, who were still asleep. Just as Sirius before her, she looked down to read from the open book on the table and had to stifle a laugh. What she saw was this...
Thomas’ All-Purpose Thesaurus (for wizards and witches of all ages)
SERIOUS (adj.)
Can mean:
grave (adj.) and has synonyms:
grave
solemn
somber
stern
grim
severe
staid
sober
unsmiling
humorless
important (adj.) and has synonyms:
important
momentous
significant
crucial
vital
critical
considerable
major
fundamental
acute (adj.) and has synonyms:
acute
life-threatening
dangerous
critical
earnest (adj.) and has synonyms:
earnest
sincere
genuine
honest
resolute
decided
determined
thought-provoking (adj.) and has synonyms:
thought-provoking
meaningful
intense
deep
profound
powerful
Antonyms and has synonyms:
funny
trivial
minor
flippant
THE END
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------
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.
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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.
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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?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Half Blood Prince Review (Major Spoilers)
I wrote this the day after I read HBP. Some of my opinions/thoughts have expanded and changed since then, but I don't currently feel like rewriting this at the moment. Perhaps later I will write a revised version.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Thoughts
(I might repeat myself several times, I’m figuring things out as I go :)
I will first say that I did enjoy reading this book. I don’t agree with all her plot decisions but that’s what fan-fiction is for :) I don’t like that she killed Dumbledore but I won’t complain about the way it was done (although I still haven’t decided what was going on there). When I write my version of book five and beyond, Dumbledore will probably live (so will Sirius, but that is another matter entirely).
There were a lot of my questions that were answered by her (I’m not saying I liked the answers, but they were answers). Most of them were related to Voldemort’s early life (which I find fasinating and is probably why I liked the book). That (and what Draco was doing) seemed to be the focus of the book, almost to the exclusion of everything else.
Draco’s plot and Voldemort’s early history were everything in this book. It seemed like everything else was put in the background to the point that it almost fades from memory. If they didn’t make occasional mention of people dying in the outside world, you can almost forget that Voldemort has returned. It is very strange when you start to think about it. It feels like with the exception of Harry, Dumbledore, the past Voldemort (and the other memories), the new potions teacher, and maybe one or two others, you are seeing everything through a tunnel. You aren’t really connecting with the other characters as persons, you are just connecting with what they are doing (if even that). They just kind of fade into the background.
It seemed like, to me at least, that the war was too easily forgotten, or brushed off. The death of classmate’s parents or other relatives are mentioned almost as an afterthought and then forgotten. None of this is really dealt with. It feels like the mentions of the war are put there because that is what’s expected but that it’s kept to a minimum because there are other things to be concerned with. The only things that don’t seem slightly forced are the lesson’s with Dumbledore and potions (with everything surrounding that). (Well, maybe Quidditch too.)
Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Snape, Slughorn, and young Voldemort are the main characters and the ones who stand out most clearly in my mind after reading it. It seems like everyone else was forgotten (I’m sorry I keep saying this). What happened to all the cool characters she introduced in the past? Where are Neville, Luna (well, she seems to get some good parts), Tonks, Remus, Mad-Eye, the Order of the Phoenix, the Teachers, the Death Eaters? Some of them get some walk on parts that don’t last long and are never heard from again. It just seems very strange to me. What did she do, give into a really strong desire to edit most of the story away? I needed more character interaction!!!!!!
Anyway, I think I stated that I found some things strange enough. I’ll move on :)
I’m not quite sure about the Horcruxes. They remind me far too much of the ring of power (at least certain aspects of it). I wonder if she watched LOTRs too much as she was writing the book. Actually, I wonder if she watched LOTRs and the Star Wars prequels too much. The “Chosen One”????? Is Harry going to join the dark side, kill off all the light side wizards, and later be redeemed by his son?
I thing that although she answered quite a few questions, she also raised tons more. I can’t see how she can resolve all the unresolved things in the next book.
I never liked the prophecy. I don’t think I like what she did with it in this one either. I mean, if you’re going to have a prophecy, at least have one. Don’t introduce it in one book and, pretty much, make it unimportant in the next. That is basically what she did. By hearing the prophecy and taking it seriously Voldemort created it (at least that is what it sounded like). Perhaps my problem is that I have a different idea of what prophecy is then she does (and I do, kind of, know that it all depends on how you use the term). I think of prophecy as a spotlight on events. The events would have happened no matter what, prophecy just draws your attentions to the events and explains where they fit in the grand scheme of things. It puts events into perspective and gives insight into what’s going on. Her version is more like self-fulfilling prophecy. I suppose there is nothing wrong with that, I just happen to prefer the other way.
Remus needed to be in it more. He is one of my favorite characters. I’m still not sure what I think about him and Tonks. I will really have to think about that one. I like Tonks, I really do. It’s just that she’s what, 13 years younger then him? I know that shouldn’t bother me but it does. (Note: on further reflection, I don’t really like the Remus/Tonks pairing. I don’t feel like their personalities match in that way.)
On the other hand, I kind of liked that he (and the other marauders) weren’t mentioned much because I really don’t like what she did with them in the last book.
I really liked the first few chapters. The first was great. I found it extremely funny. The second chapter with Snape, Bellatrix, and Narcissa was very interesting. I would never have considered Bellatrix being something even remotely resembling a sister (in mindset that is, I knew they were related). Dumbledore picking up Harry was great. I really do think he (Dumbledore) enjoyed playing with the Dursley’s minds (I probably would have if I was him). Actually, I can’t think of a chapter that I really disliked. The Ron/Lavender thing was a little annoying but I suppose I’ll consider almost being poisoned as adequate punishment.
Do all works of fantasy need dead armies (or zombies in this case)?
All in all, I don’t have the problems with this one that I did with the last. The characters seem to be acting like themselves (nothing like they were acting like in book five, which is interesting). The Harry in book six is the Harry I expected in book five. I can’t escape the thought, though, that Voldemort really needs to read the evil overlord’s list and take some of its advice. He is far too predictable. I mean, come on, could he have picked something less obvious then family heirlooms to put his soul into?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Speculation
R.A.B. -
The initials signed in the note found in the replacement locket (that was suppose to be a Horcrux). By the way, a Horcrux is a object that holds a piece of the soul, making a person, kind of, immortal. You must kill to create a Horcrux. Anyway...
Would it really be too obvious (as someone suggested) that R.A.B is Regulus Black and that the real locket is at Grimmauld Place (the locket no one could open)? Regulus was killed by Voldemort when he tried to leave the death eaters (didn’t like what he was being asked to do). I wonder if it is possible that Mundungus Fletcher (Order of the Phoenix, thief) could have stolen the locket along with the other stuff he took from Grimmauld Place. What would be the point in having him do that though? There must have been some point in having him take stuff from the house.
Snape -
I don’t think Snape is a servant of Lord Voldemort. I also don’t think what he did was right. It was a very difficult situation, and I’m not sure what other action he could have taken but he shouldn’t have killed Dumbledore.
Here is an interesting question. Did Dumbledore want Snape to kill him? What exactly was he begging for, to be spared or killed so that Draco could be spared? Could Dumbledore communicate his intentions to Snape thought his mind? She kept reminding us that Snape was good at reading minds and blocking others from his (so is Dumbledore). I really don’t know. It seems like something Dumbledore might do. Also, remember, that when Harry and Dumbledore were going into the cave (or at least in that chapter), Dumbledore commented that Harry was far more valuable than him. He probably didn't want Harry to get hurt. He would have rather died himself then let that happen.
One really wonders if she is going to kill Harry. It seems like she has the perfect set up for it. If Harry got his powers (speaking to snakes and such) from part of Voldemort's soul being transfured to him, then he would have to die for Voldemort to be killed. I don't want this to be the case but it seems like a real possibility.
If I remember right, Dumbledore speculated that Voldemort was going to make another Horcruxe when he killed Harry. We know that Harry gained some of Voldemorts powers.
The Diary had Voldemorts powers. So, I was just wondering based on that. We don't know how the Horcruxes are made (or the timing) so we don't really know what happened that night. That and she's never given any guarantee that Harry will live.
I’m also very interested to see what she does with Draco’s character. Is he going to become a real death eater or is he going to turn on Voldemort? He wasn’t going to kill Dumbledore. I think he was really considering taking up Dumbledore’s offer (and then the other death eaters came). It seems, though, you don't really feel sorry for Draco until the twenty-seventh chapter ("Lightning-Struck Tower"). It's when you find out he isn't all that committed to killing Dumbledore. I wonder if it would have been different if he had known Harry was there?
One of the death eaters would have killed Dumbledore. I don’t see that Snape, Draco, and Harry (if he was released from Dumbledore’s spell) could have prevented that. Would the unbreakable vow be broken if someone other then Draco or Snape killed Dumbledore? Would the vow have been broken if Draco had taken Dumbledore’s offer? There are too many questions.
Why did Snape make the unbreakable vow to begin with? Did he know what Draco’s mission was at the time? Was there a way to get out of the situation without making the vow or destroying his cover (if it was a cover)? Or is he really evil and meant to make the vow knowing full well what it would mean?
The wording goes "if it seems Draco will fail...will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?" A question to which Snape answers yes.
Now it seems to me that it could go either way. Either Draco or Snape has to kill Dumbledore, or someone has to kill Dumbledore. If Dumbledore wasn't killed, the vow would be broken (?) and Snape would die.
Would Merope (Tom's mother) have told Tom more about his haritage if she were able? Was naming him her way of telling him who he was? How could he have found out so much if she was unable to tell him anything? Part of me says she would have had to leave him some more substantial clue for him to learn so much. I mean, he opened the chamber in fifth year. He would have had to know a great deal about slytherin and who slytherin was to him, would he not, to have done that?
--Tracy
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Thoughts
(I might repeat myself several times, I’m figuring things out as I go :)
I will first say that I did enjoy reading this book. I don’t agree with all her plot decisions but that’s what fan-fiction is for :) I don’t like that she killed Dumbledore but I won’t complain about the way it was done (although I still haven’t decided what was going on there). When I write my version of book five and beyond, Dumbledore will probably live (so will Sirius, but that is another matter entirely).
There were a lot of my questions that were answered by her (I’m not saying I liked the answers, but they were answers). Most of them were related to Voldemort’s early life (which I find fasinating and is probably why I liked the book). That (and what Draco was doing) seemed to be the focus of the book, almost to the exclusion of everything else.
Draco’s plot and Voldemort’s early history were everything in this book. It seemed like everything else was put in the background to the point that it almost fades from memory. If they didn’t make occasional mention of people dying in the outside world, you can almost forget that Voldemort has returned. It is very strange when you start to think about it. It feels like with the exception of Harry, Dumbledore, the past Voldemort (and the other memories), the new potions teacher, and maybe one or two others, you are seeing everything through a tunnel. You aren’t really connecting with the other characters as persons, you are just connecting with what they are doing (if even that). They just kind of fade into the background.
It seemed like, to me at least, that the war was too easily forgotten, or brushed off. The death of classmate’s parents or other relatives are mentioned almost as an afterthought and then forgotten. None of this is really dealt with. It feels like the mentions of the war are put there because that is what’s expected but that it’s kept to a minimum because there are other things to be concerned with. The only things that don’t seem slightly forced are the lesson’s with Dumbledore and potions (with everything surrounding that). (Well, maybe Quidditch too.)
Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Snape, Slughorn, and young Voldemort are the main characters and the ones who stand out most clearly in my mind after reading it. It seems like everyone else was forgotten (I’m sorry I keep saying this). What happened to all the cool characters she introduced in the past? Where are Neville, Luna (well, she seems to get some good parts), Tonks, Remus, Mad-Eye, the Order of the Phoenix, the Teachers, the Death Eaters? Some of them get some walk on parts that don’t last long and are never heard from again. It just seems very strange to me. What did she do, give into a really strong desire to edit most of the story away? I needed more character interaction!!!!!!
Anyway, I think I stated that I found some things strange enough. I’ll move on :)
I’m not quite sure about the Horcruxes. They remind me far too much of the ring of power (at least certain aspects of it). I wonder if she watched LOTRs too much as she was writing the book. Actually, I wonder if she watched LOTRs and the Star Wars prequels too much. The “Chosen One”????? Is Harry going to join the dark side, kill off all the light side wizards, and later be redeemed by his son?
I thing that although she answered quite a few questions, she also raised tons more. I can’t see how she can resolve all the unresolved things in the next book.
I never liked the prophecy. I don’t think I like what she did with it in this one either. I mean, if you’re going to have a prophecy, at least have one. Don’t introduce it in one book and, pretty much, make it unimportant in the next. That is basically what she did. By hearing the prophecy and taking it seriously Voldemort created it (at least that is what it sounded like). Perhaps my problem is that I have a different idea of what prophecy is then she does (and I do, kind of, know that it all depends on how you use the term). I think of prophecy as a spotlight on events. The events would have happened no matter what, prophecy just draws your attentions to the events and explains where they fit in the grand scheme of things. It puts events into perspective and gives insight into what’s going on. Her version is more like self-fulfilling prophecy. I suppose there is nothing wrong with that, I just happen to prefer the other way.
Remus needed to be in it more. He is one of my favorite characters. I’m still not sure what I think about him and Tonks. I will really have to think about that one. I like Tonks, I really do. It’s just that she’s what, 13 years younger then him? I know that shouldn’t bother me but it does. (Note: on further reflection, I don’t really like the Remus/Tonks pairing. I don’t feel like their personalities match in that way.)
On the other hand, I kind of liked that he (and the other marauders) weren’t mentioned much because I really don’t like what she did with them in the last book.
I really liked the first few chapters. The first was great. I found it extremely funny. The second chapter with Snape, Bellatrix, and Narcissa was very interesting. I would never have considered Bellatrix being something even remotely resembling a sister (in mindset that is, I knew they were related). Dumbledore picking up Harry was great. I really do think he (Dumbledore) enjoyed playing with the Dursley’s minds (I probably would have if I was him). Actually, I can’t think of a chapter that I really disliked. The Ron/Lavender thing was a little annoying but I suppose I’ll consider almost being poisoned as adequate punishment.
Do all works of fantasy need dead armies (or zombies in this case)?
All in all, I don’t have the problems with this one that I did with the last. The characters seem to be acting like themselves (nothing like they were acting like in book five, which is interesting). The Harry in book six is the Harry I expected in book five. I can’t escape the thought, though, that Voldemort really needs to read the evil overlord’s list and take some of its advice. He is far too predictable. I mean, come on, could he have picked something less obvious then family heirlooms to put his soul into?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Speculation
R.A.B. -
The initials signed in the note found in the replacement locket (that was suppose to be a Horcrux). By the way, a Horcrux is a object that holds a piece of the soul, making a person, kind of, immortal. You must kill to create a Horcrux. Anyway...
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match,
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match,
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
Would it really be too obvious (as someone suggested) that R.A.B is Regulus Black and that the real locket is at Grimmauld Place (the locket no one could open)? Regulus was killed by Voldemort when he tried to leave the death eaters (didn’t like what he was being asked to do). I wonder if it is possible that Mundungus Fletcher (Order of the Phoenix, thief) could have stolen the locket along with the other stuff he took from Grimmauld Place. What would be the point in having him do that though? There must have been some point in having him take stuff from the house.
Snape -
I don’t think Snape is a servant of Lord Voldemort. I also don’t think what he did was right. It was a very difficult situation, and I’m not sure what other action he could have taken but he shouldn’t have killed Dumbledore.
Here is an interesting question. Did Dumbledore want Snape to kill him? What exactly was he begging for, to be spared or killed so that Draco could be spared? Could Dumbledore communicate his intentions to Snape thought his mind? She kept reminding us that Snape was good at reading minds and blocking others from his (so is Dumbledore). I really don’t know. It seems like something Dumbledore might do. Also, remember, that when Harry and Dumbledore were going into the cave (or at least in that chapter), Dumbledore commented that Harry was far more valuable than him. He probably didn't want Harry to get hurt. He would have rather died himself then let that happen.
One really wonders if she is going to kill Harry. It seems like she has the perfect set up for it. If Harry got his powers (speaking to snakes and such) from part of Voldemort's soul being transfured to him, then he would have to die for Voldemort to be killed. I don't want this to be the case but it seems like a real possibility.
If I remember right, Dumbledore speculated that Voldemort was going to make another Horcruxe when he killed Harry. We know that Harry gained some of Voldemorts powers.
The Diary had Voldemorts powers. So, I was just wondering based on that. We don't know how the Horcruxes are made (or the timing) so we don't really know what happened that night. That and she's never given any guarantee that Harry will live.
I’m also very interested to see what she does with Draco’s character. Is he going to become a real death eater or is he going to turn on Voldemort? He wasn’t going to kill Dumbledore. I think he was really considering taking up Dumbledore’s offer (and then the other death eaters came). It seems, though, you don't really feel sorry for Draco until the twenty-seventh chapter ("Lightning-Struck Tower"). It's when you find out he isn't all that committed to killing Dumbledore. I wonder if it would have been different if he had known Harry was there?
One of the death eaters would have killed Dumbledore. I don’t see that Snape, Draco, and Harry (if he was released from Dumbledore’s spell) could have prevented that. Would the unbreakable vow be broken if someone other then Draco or Snape killed Dumbledore? Would the vow have been broken if Draco had taken Dumbledore’s offer? There are too many questions.
Why did Snape make the unbreakable vow to begin with? Did he know what Draco’s mission was at the time? Was there a way to get out of the situation without making the vow or destroying his cover (if it was a cover)? Or is he really evil and meant to make the vow knowing full well what it would mean?
The wording goes "if it seems Draco will fail...will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?" A question to which Snape answers yes.
Now it seems to me that it could go either way. Either Draco or Snape has to kill Dumbledore, or someone has to kill Dumbledore. If Dumbledore wasn't killed, the vow would be broken (?) and Snape would die.
Would Merope (Tom's mother) have told Tom more about his haritage if she were able? Was naming him her way of telling him who he was? How could he have found out so much if she was unable to tell him anything? Part of me says she would have had to leave him some more substantial clue for him to learn so much. I mean, he opened the chamber in fifth year. He would have had to know a great deal about slytherin and who slytherin was to him, would he not, to have done that?
--Tracy
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Order of the Phoenix: Original Character: Ethan Davis
Ethanael Malven Davis
Name: Ethanael Malven Davis
Date of Birth: September 22, 1912
Parents:
Harold Davis (wizard),
Amelia Davis nee Dunstan (witch)
Siblings: Elizabeth Potter nee Davis (sister, witch)
Other Relations:
James Potter (nephew, wizard),
Syras Louise Potter (niece, witch)
Spouse: never married
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Light Brown
School: Hogwarts, Ravenclaw House (1924-1931)
Profession: Historian
Unusual Abilities: none, that I know of
Age at Time of Fifth Book: would have been (or is, can’t decide) 83
Notes:
I kind of see him as the type of person who graduated from Hogwarts (Ravenclaw, of course), went home, locked himself in a dusty attic full of old books and papers, and hardly ever came out again. When he did come out, he would always be muttering to himself and not fully aware of his enviroment. He would be the crazy relative people always talk about. That, at least, might be how people see him. It is possible he has done some extensive traveling while people think he has been in his attic.
I don’t know. I don’t know why I bothered to put all this information down for this person. I just find him interesting for some reason. I’m not sure I would actually do anything with him though.
Name: Ethanael Malven Davis
Date of Birth: September 22, 1912
Parents:
Harold Davis (wizard),
Amelia Davis nee Dunstan (witch)
Siblings: Elizabeth Potter nee Davis (sister, witch)
Other Relations:
James Potter (nephew, wizard),
Syras Louise Potter (niece, witch)
Spouse: never married
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Light Brown
School: Hogwarts, Ravenclaw House (1924-1931)
Profession: Historian
Unusual Abilities: none, that I know of
Age at Time of Fifth Book: would have been (or is, can’t decide) 83
Notes:
I kind of see him as the type of person who graduated from Hogwarts (Ravenclaw, of course), went home, locked himself in a dusty attic full of old books and papers, and hardly ever came out again. When he did come out, he would always be muttering to himself and not fully aware of his enviroment. He would be the crazy relative people always talk about. That, at least, might be how people see him. It is possible he has done some extensive traveling while people think he has been in his attic.
I don’t know. I don’t know why I bothered to put all this information down for this person. I just find him interesting for some reason. I’m not sure I would actually do anything with him though.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Order of the Phoenix: Sirius Black’s Middle Name
Sirius Black is another person who JKR has yet (08/23/2005) to give a middle name.
Now, I have seen many different middle names used for Sirius by fan-fiction authors over the years and my favorite by far has been Orion. Now, many might say that makes his name a little too heavy on the stars and constellations but I say it sounds good and even works with my family history for him. So yes, it should be Sirius Orion Black.
Notes:
Sirius, often called the Dog Star, is the alpha star (in other words the brightest) in the constellation Canis Major. Now, Canis Major is considered one of Orion’s hunting dogs. The beta star (second brightest) of the constellation Orion is Rigel (also considered the foot of the hunter). In my AU story, Sirius’ father is named Rigel. The reasoning then, for using Orion as Sirius’ middle name would go like this... Orion has connections to Sirius (in the star world). Orion also has a connection to Rigel (since Rigel is part of Orion). This forms a connection between Sirius and Rigel. Anyway... enough of that.
Now, I have seen many different middle names used for Sirius by fan-fiction authors over the years and my favorite by far has been Orion. Now, many might say that makes his name a little too heavy on the stars and constellations but I say it sounds good and even works with my family history for him. So yes, it should be Sirius Orion Black.
Notes:
Sirius, often called the Dog Star, is the alpha star (in other words the brightest) in the constellation Canis Major. Now, Canis Major is considered one of Orion’s hunting dogs. The beta star (second brightest) of the constellation Orion is Rigel (also considered the foot of the hunter). In my AU story, Sirius’ father is named Rigel. The reasoning then, for using Orion as Sirius’ middle name would go like this... Orion has connections to Sirius (in the star world). Orion also has a connection to Rigel (since Rigel is part of Orion). This forms a connection between Sirius and Rigel. Anyway... enough of that.
Order of the Phoenix: James Potter’s Middle Name
The problems with all of this is that JRK has yet to mention James’ middle name (she has for most of the other people). It could really be anything. But for the sake of my story, I have to choose something. Now, you might ask why. Middle names don’t come up very often, especially in a story concerning Harry’s fifth year. My reasoning is that I just need to do it for the sake of completeness. I think stories feel more real if the author knows all the little details about the world they have created.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
At this point in time (which is why I put the date), I can't decide between Eliot, William, or Christopher. There are too many nice names that go with James and Potter.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
At this point in time (which is why I put the date), I can't decide between Eliot, William, or Christopher. There are too many nice names that go with James and Potter.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Order of the Phoenix: Original Character: Rigel Black
BLACK, RIGEL ALEXANDER
(FIRST DRAFT)
CHARACTER INFORMATION:
Name: Rigel Black
Date of Birth: August 20th, 1930
Parents: Perseus Black (wizard), Andromeda Meliflus Black (witch)
Comes from a long line of wizards and witches so is a pure blood,
as if knowing that matters :)
Siblings: Regulus Black, Anthea Libra (sister-in-law)
Other Relations: Sirius Black (son), Andromeda Black Tonks (niece), etc.
Spouse: Varity Weaver Black (Hogwarts Hufflepuff House; half-blood)
Eye Color: Dark Gray
Hair Color: Black (with some gray because of his age)
Build: Tall and strong even in older age. Ages in build very well.
Appearance: Strong and good looking (as is true of most of the Black family). Also quite and slightly soft spoken. How you can have those two together I’m not sure yet. We will see.
Schooling: Hogwarts, Ravenclaw House (1941-1948)
Profession: Something to do with law at the ministry of magic, possible a judge (one of the ones that you don’t really hear about).
Unusual Abilities: none, that I know of.
Age at Time of Fifth Book: about 65
CHARACTER PERSONALITY:
A very calm, collected individual. Takes things as they come and doesn’t easily give in to panic. He is a very wise, thoughtful person. He is also kind. His thoughtful, kind nature, though, is also accompanied by a strength of will that rivals many. He will not be moved on a issue if he sees the right path to take. He is a very honorable person (he has a strong since of honor). He is loyal to those he loves (much like his son). In later years, he has (many time) and air of sadness about him. All in all he is a very nice person how has had a hard life.
CHARACTER HISTORY:
Born into the infamous pureblood Black family, Rigel is really nothing like the rest of his family. The Blacks hold purity of blood to be among the most important (if not the most important) traits. They are also known for their affinity toward the dark arts. Still, they are a very powerful and respected family in the wizarding community (much like the Malfoys). They have almost always held positions of power and influence. In every generation, though, there is usually a member of the family that doesn’t succumb to the family’s way of thinking. Rigel’s aunt, Lacerta Black, was one of these. From a very young age, Rigel was heavily influenced by his aunt. Although a very powerful and rich family, the Blacks could never be consider close. Rigel’s parents didn’t have what you would call a strong, close relationship with their son. He was taken care of by a nurse when he was very young. When he was old enough to start learning the basic skills (like reading, writing, math, etc.) that he would need before entering formal wizard school, his parents got him a series of tutors. One of these, and his favorite, was his aunt. She took the job with pleasure, knowing that she might be able to impact her young nephew’s thoughts for the better like someone had done for her. Her love for him and her kindness was able to shape him in a way his parents never could. He grew up with radically different ideas about the importance of being a pureblood and the worthiness of non-pureblood (or even muggle) people that annoyed his parents and the rest of their family to no end. He was able to start seeing people for the choices they made, not their blood. This was not something his parents took calmly, he suffered for his beliefs. But, as he was a Black and therefore powerful and stubborn, this only cemented his ideas all the more firmly in his mind and his parents couldn’t begin to do anything about it.
All this was even more evident when it came to school. The Black family had an almost unbroken record of being members of Slytherin House at Hogwarts. There were one or two exceptions, but they weren’t talked about much. When Rigel entered Hogwarts, he became one of those exceptions. Although he did have many of the Black traits that made them ideal for Slytherin, he lacked the disdain for those unlike him and also the drive to get what he wanted no matter how he got it that would really make him a Slytherin. Instead he combined those traits he inherited from his family (a high sense of honor, stubbornness, a certain intensity among other things) with a quick intelligence, a love of knowledge and wisdom, and a slightly quiet, reflective nature and took them into Ravenclaw. It was definitely a house that suited him well. The years he spent at Hogwarts among those that thought like him were some of the best years in his life. They did not contain the constant struggle that he faced at home.
After Hogwarts, Rigel began a career with the Ministry in something to do with law (eventually becoming a judge or something like that). He had not only a strong sense of honor but also a strong sense of justice. His love of justice, though, was balanced with a knowledge that mercy was sometimes needed. He had become a good man. Having grown up in a family that flirted with the dark arts, he understood the subtleties of evil and worked hard against it. For not only did his aunt give him his ideas about the importance of blood, she also strove to teach him about evil and why one must choose good and fight against those that choose evil. Seeing the effects of evil on his own family was a powerful illustration and one that stayed with him, causing him to dedicate his life (after a fashion) to fighting it. He was not active in fighting the dark side, like say, an auror, but he fought it nonetheless. He was more the type to analyze things, reflect and make judgments then go out with a wand and capture darksiders. He became a very wise and discerning man. He was a good judge of character. (A lot of this is talking about his entire life, not just his first few years out of Hogwarts.)
Several years after he graduated from Hogwarts, Rigel met and fell in love with a young woman by the name of Verity Weaver that was a few years behind him in school. She had not been a Ravenclaw but a Hufflepuff. Verity was a very soft spoken, gentle, sweet young woman. She also possessed many of the qualities that Hufflepuffs were known for (loyalty and perseverance). She was the perfect match for Rigel. They complimented each other well. In his families eyes, though, she was worthless because she was a half-blood. Against the Black family’s will, Rigel married Verity and for a time they were happy and all was well (except his parents were mad at him but that didn’t bother Rigel much). (They got married when Rigel was about 26 or 27.) Rigel had a good job at the ministry, they had a nice home and were pretty well thought of in the community and they loved each other. About three or four years after they married, their first child was born. Rigel, carrying on a slight tradition in his family, named his son Sirius, after the brightest start in the night sky. In looks Sirius was very much a member of the Black family. He was also like them in character, capable of being very stubborn and intense but also strong and honorable. In ways he was more like the rest of the Blacks then his father because he didn’t grow up in the atmosphere his father did but in one were he was excepted and loved. He was also capable of great loyalty and perseverance. Growing up in a more loving atmosphere gave him a confidence and pride his father only occasionally had. It also allowed the more mischievous side of the Blacks to take hold. While Rigel had a very quiet humor (he did love a good joke and could have fun) and was serious and sober minded most of the time, his son was only serious and sober when he needed to be.
For Rigel and his young family, though, there were dark times ahead. When Sirius was only three years old, Verity became very ill and did not recover. Rigel took the death of his wife very hard. His young son, who was very high energy and usually cheerful was the only one that really helped him throughout that time. He had to be strong for Sirius. He was all his son had left. So, Rigel took on the task of raising his son alone. It was a job he thought he did very well, teaching Sirius the values he had come to hold so strongly and giving him the love Rigel wished he had gotten. He only regretted that he had never really been able to remarry. He could never bring himself to. So, Sirius didn’t have a mother. Rigel made up for that fact by putting everything he had into raising his son. His job, while important to him, always took second place. His son came first. They were a good, close family. Something Rigel never had.
Rigel was proud of his son, even more so when Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor at Hogwarts. It was something Rigel didn’t expect. No Black had ever set foot in Gryffindor. It was to him a sign that his family wasn’t doomed. Even with everything his family represented, Rigel still had pride in being a member of it. He didn’t hate them, he just wanted them to change. With his son and niece both he saw a change for the better in his family.
As was mentioned before, Rigel didn’t hate his family. He didn’t agree with them and didn’t approve of their thoughts and actions, but that is not completely the same as hating them. In fact, they and their group of friends were the people he knew the best and saw most often. Except for the short time he was married to Verity, Rigel didn’t interact with many people outside his family’s circle. This is not to say he saw them a lot, just that when he saw people it was usually them. He was a very quite reserved person who kept mostly to himself. He interacted with the people he worked with but really no one else. A lot of this was brought on by peoples views on the Black family. They didn’t expect someone who thought like Rigel to be a member of that particular family. Even his time in Ravenclaw didn’t really help him there. His family usually kept him out of the circles were he would find most of the people like him in thought. So even though Rigel and his son didn’t get along with the Blacks at all and were looked down upon by the rest of the family, they knew them the best. Now, the note here would be that Rigel and Sirius weren’t really around the family enough for them to effect Sirius’ attitude very much. He was still a high strung, confident person, mostly because of his father and later his time at school.
There was a short time, when Sirius was at school, that Rigel was befriended by Matthew Potter, a well known Auror and friend of Dumbledore. This mainly sprung from the fact that Matthew’s son James was best friends with Sirius. That and the fact that Matthew took a liking to Rigel. He came to have a great deal of respect for Rigel as he got to know him. Matthew, whose very personality and family history stood as the extreem opposite to Rigel’s, ended up being a good friend to Rigel (although they didn’t always understand each other being so different). It helped that the Potters and Rigel’s son Sirius were a lot a like in many ways. This time came to an end when Matthew and his wife Elizabeth were killed by Lord Voldemort for their active part in fighting him.
Rigel was devastated when his son was sent to Azakaban for the murder of thirteen people, having supposedly been in the service of Lord Voldemort, the most feared Dark Lord of their time. He became an even quieter person then before and also sad. What humor he possessed was almost destroyed. There were many times he blamed himself for what happened but usually he was saved from depression because of common sense. He knew from much time spent in reflection, even with his knowledge of what happened, he couldn’t have predicted it. This fact also tormented him. Although he knew all the facts surrounding his son’s imprisonment, there were things that never made sense, things that were never resolved because of his son’s lack of a trial (something his love of justice rebelled against). In many ways, he never completely accepted his son’s guilt. Nor, though, was he sure of his innocence. It was a confusing mess that would hunt him and be with him wherever he went. It wasn’t until many years later that this particular wound would be healed.
NOTES ON RIGEL’S CHARACTER:
Now, we don’t want to get the idea that Rigel silently sits by while people abuse him, that is not the case at all. He may be quiet and reflective but he is also strong willed and quite capable of standing up for himself. If the reason is good enough he won’t hesitate to be assertive. He is usually wise enough, though, to know when to argue and when to not. He would have had to been this way to have survived in his family. He would have to be strong and he would have to be stubborn.
Nor should we get the idea that Rigel’s family had no love for him. They did like him stay around. They many have been frustrated with him and abusive of him, but they weren’t completely without love for him.
(FIRST DRAFT)
CHARACTER INFORMATION:
Name: Rigel Black
Date of Birth: August 20th, 1930
Parents: Perseus Black (wizard), Andromeda Meliflus Black (witch)
Comes from a long line of wizards and witches so is a pure blood,
as if knowing that matters :)
Siblings: Regulus Black, Anthea Libra (sister-in-law)
Other Relations: Sirius Black (son), Andromeda Black Tonks (niece), etc.
Spouse: Varity Weaver Black (Hogwarts Hufflepuff House; half-blood)
Eye Color: Dark Gray
Hair Color: Black (with some gray because of his age)
Build: Tall and strong even in older age. Ages in build very well.
Appearance: Strong and good looking (as is true of most of the Black family). Also quite and slightly soft spoken. How you can have those two together I’m not sure yet. We will see.
Schooling: Hogwarts, Ravenclaw House (1941-1948)
Profession: Something to do with law at the ministry of magic, possible a judge (one of the ones that you don’t really hear about).
Unusual Abilities: none, that I know of.
Age at Time of Fifth Book: about 65
CHARACTER PERSONALITY:
A very calm, collected individual. Takes things as they come and doesn’t easily give in to panic. He is a very wise, thoughtful person. He is also kind. His thoughtful, kind nature, though, is also accompanied by a strength of will that rivals many. He will not be moved on a issue if he sees the right path to take. He is a very honorable person (he has a strong since of honor). He is loyal to those he loves (much like his son). In later years, he has (many time) and air of sadness about him. All in all he is a very nice person how has had a hard life.
CHARACTER HISTORY:
Born into the infamous pureblood Black family, Rigel is really nothing like the rest of his family. The Blacks hold purity of blood to be among the most important (if not the most important) traits. They are also known for their affinity toward the dark arts. Still, they are a very powerful and respected family in the wizarding community (much like the Malfoys). They have almost always held positions of power and influence. In every generation, though, there is usually a member of the family that doesn’t succumb to the family’s way of thinking. Rigel’s aunt, Lacerta Black, was one of these. From a very young age, Rigel was heavily influenced by his aunt. Although a very powerful and rich family, the Blacks could never be consider close. Rigel’s parents didn’t have what you would call a strong, close relationship with their son. He was taken care of by a nurse when he was very young. When he was old enough to start learning the basic skills (like reading, writing, math, etc.) that he would need before entering formal wizard school, his parents got him a series of tutors. One of these, and his favorite, was his aunt. She took the job with pleasure, knowing that she might be able to impact her young nephew’s thoughts for the better like someone had done for her. Her love for him and her kindness was able to shape him in a way his parents never could. He grew up with radically different ideas about the importance of being a pureblood and the worthiness of non-pureblood (or even muggle) people that annoyed his parents and the rest of their family to no end. He was able to start seeing people for the choices they made, not their blood. This was not something his parents took calmly, he suffered for his beliefs. But, as he was a Black and therefore powerful and stubborn, this only cemented his ideas all the more firmly in his mind and his parents couldn’t begin to do anything about it.
All this was even more evident when it came to school. The Black family had an almost unbroken record of being members of Slytherin House at Hogwarts. There were one or two exceptions, but they weren’t talked about much. When Rigel entered Hogwarts, he became one of those exceptions. Although he did have many of the Black traits that made them ideal for Slytherin, he lacked the disdain for those unlike him and also the drive to get what he wanted no matter how he got it that would really make him a Slytherin. Instead he combined those traits he inherited from his family (a high sense of honor, stubbornness, a certain intensity among other things) with a quick intelligence, a love of knowledge and wisdom, and a slightly quiet, reflective nature and took them into Ravenclaw. It was definitely a house that suited him well. The years he spent at Hogwarts among those that thought like him were some of the best years in his life. They did not contain the constant struggle that he faced at home.
After Hogwarts, Rigel began a career with the Ministry in something to do with law (eventually becoming a judge or something like that). He had not only a strong sense of honor but also a strong sense of justice. His love of justice, though, was balanced with a knowledge that mercy was sometimes needed. He had become a good man. Having grown up in a family that flirted with the dark arts, he understood the subtleties of evil and worked hard against it. For not only did his aunt give him his ideas about the importance of blood, she also strove to teach him about evil and why one must choose good and fight against those that choose evil. Seeing the effects of evil on his own family was a powerful illustration and one that stayed with him, causing him to dedicate his life (after a fashion) to fighting it. He was not active in fighting the dark side, like say, an auror, but he fought it nonetheless. He was more the type to analyze things, reflect and make judgments then go out with a wand and capture darksiders. He became a very wise and discerning man. He was a good judge of character. (A lot of this is talking about his entire life, not just his first few years out of Hogwarts.)
Several years after he graduated from Hogwarts, Rigel met and fell in love with a young woman by the name of Verity Weaver that was a few years behind him in school. She had not been a Ravenclaw but a Hufflepuff. Verity was a very soft spoken, gentle, sweet young woman. She also possessed many of the qualities that Hufflepuffs were known for (loyalty and perseverance). She was the perfect match for Rigel. They complimented each other well. In his families eyes, though, she was worthless because she was a half-blood. Against the Black family’s will, Rigel married Verity and for a time they were happy and all was well (except his parents were mad at him but that didn’t bother Rigel much). (They got married when Rigel was about 26 or 27.) Rigel had a good job at the ministry, they had a nice home and were pretty well thought of in the community and they loved each other. About three or four years after they married, their first child was born. Rigel, carrying on a slight tradition in his family, named his son Sirius, after the brightest start in the night sky. In looks Sirius was very much a member of the Black family. He was also like them in character, capable of being very stubborn and intense but also strong and honorable. In ways he was more like the rest of the Blacks then his father because he didn’t grow up in the atmosphere his father did but in one were he was excepted and loved. He was also capable of great loyalty and perseverance. Growing up in a more loving atmosphere gave him a confidence and pride his father only occasionally had. It also allowed the more mischievous side of the Blacks to take hold. While Rigel had a very quiet humor (he did love a good joke and could have fun) and was serious and sober minded most of the time, his son was only serious and sober when he needed to be.
For Rigel and his young family, though, there were dark times ahead. When Sirius was only three years old, Verity became very ill and did not recover. Rigel took the death of his wife very hard. His young son, who was very high energy and usually cheerful was the only one that really helped him throughout that time. He had to be strong for Sirius. He was all his son had left. So, Rigel took on the task of raising his son alone. It was a job he thought he did very well, teaching Sirius the values he had come to hold so strongly and giving him the love Rigel wished he had gotten. He only regretted that he had never really been able to remarry. He could never bring himself to. So, Sirius didn’t have a mother. Rigel made up for that fact by putting everything he had into raising his son. His job, while important to him, always took second place. His son came first. They were a good, close family. Something Rigel never had.
Rigel was proud of his son, even more so when Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor at Hogwarts. It was something Rigel didn’t expect. No Black had ever set foot in Gryffindor. It was to him a sign that his family wasn’t doomed. Even with everything his family represented, Rigel still had pride in being a member of it. He didn’t hate them, he just wanted them to change. With his son and niece both he saw a change for the better in his family.
As was mentioned before, Rigel didn’t hate his family. He didn’t agree with them and didn’t approve of their thoughts and actions, but that is not completely the same as hating them. In fact, they and their group of friends were the people he knew the best and saw most often. Except for the short time he was married to Verity, Rigel didn’t interact with many people outside his family’s circle. This is not to say he saw them a lot, just that when he saw people it was usually them. He was a very quite reserved person who kept mostly to himself. He interacted with the people he worked with but really no one else. A lot of this was brought on by peoples views on the Black family. They didn’t expect someone who thought like Rigel to be a member of that particular family. Even his time in Ravenclaw didn’t really help him there. His family usually kept him out of the circles were he would find most of the people like him in thought. So even though Rigel and his son didn’t get along with the Blacks at all and were looked down upon by the rest of the family, they knew them the best. Now, the note here would be that Rigel and Sirius weren’t really around the family enough for them to effect Sirius’ attitude very much. He was still a high strung, confident person, mostly because of his father and later his time at school.
There was a short time, when Sirius was at school, that Rigel was befriended by Matthew Potter, a well known Auror and friend of Dumbledore. This mainly sprung from the fact that Matthew’s son James was best friends with Sirius. That and the fact that Matthew took a liking to Rigel. He came to have a great deal of respect for Rigel as he got to know him. Matthew, whose very personality and family history stood as the extreem opposite to Rigel’s, ended up being a good friend to Rigel (although they didn’t always understand each other being so different). It helped that the Potters and Rigel’s son Sirius were a lot a like in many ways. This time came to an end when Matthew and his wife Elizabeth were killed by Lord Voldemort for their active part in fighting him.
Rigel was devastated when his son was sent to Azakaban for the murder of thirteen people, having supposedly been in the service of Lord Voldemort, the most feared Dark Lord of their time. He became an even quieter person then before and also sad. What humor he possessed was almost destroyed. There were many times he blamed himself for what happened but usually he was saved from depression because of common sense. He knew from much time spent in reflection, even with his knowledge of what happened, he couldn’t have predicted it. This fact also tormented him. Although he knew all the facts surrounding his son’s imprisonment, there were things that never made sense, things that were never resolved because of his son’s lack of a trial (something his love of justice rebelled against). In many ways, he never completely accepted his son’s guilt. Nor, though, was he sure of his innocence. It was a confusing mess that would hunt him and be with him wherever he went. It wasn’t until many years later that this particular wound would be healed.
NOTES ON RIGEL’S CHARACTER:
Now, we don’t want to get the idea that Rigel silently sits by while people abuse him, that is not the case at all. He may be quiet and reflective but he is also strong willed and quite capable of standing up for himself. If the reason is good enough he won’t hesitate to be assertive. He is usually wise enough, though, to know when to argue and when to not. He would have had to been this way to have survived in his family. He would have to be strong and he would have to be stubborn.
Nor should we get the idea that Rigel’s family had no love for him. They did like him stay around. They many have been frustrated with him and abusive of him, but they weren’t completely without love for him.
Order of the Phoenix: Potter Family Tree
THE POTTER HOUSE
(ACCORDING TO TRACY)
POTTER, COLIN [marries: MASON, GENICA (GRYFFINDOR, CAILEAN)]
| POTTER, ELIOT [marries: ELLIS-JOHNSTONE, CALISTA]
| | POTTER, DEVLIN [marries: WRIGHT, SIRI]
| | | POTTER, MICAH [marries: CALLIS, HANNAH]
| | | | POTTER, DAVID [marries: PATTERSON, CATHERINE]
| | | | | POTTER, MATTHEW [marries: DAVIS, ELIZABETH]
| | | | | | POTTER, JAMES [marries: EVANS, LILY]
| | | | | | | POTTER, HARRY
| | | | | | POTTER, SYRAS
| | | POTTER, BETHANY [marries: KENDALL, CALEB]
| | | | KENDALL, EMMA [marries: ELLERY, DYLAN]
| | | | | ELLERY, ARDEN
| | | | KENDALL, ELIOT [marries: ANSON, ANTHEA]
| POTTER, CELINA [marries: HILL, BRYAN]
| | HILL, EDWIN [marries: DUNN, GILI]
| | HILL, GALEN [marries: ALDAN, MADGE]
| | | HILL, ALEXAVIER [marries: DANIN, MELORA]
| | | | HILL, BOWAN [marries: SADEN, BETH]
| | | | | HILL, ROWAN [marries: TAYLOR, LYDIA]
| | | | | | HILL, MEGAN
| | | | HILL, CORA [marries: CURTIS, EDAN]
| | | | | CURTIS, RYAN
| | | HILL, COLIN [marries: SCOTT, IANNA]
| | | | HILL, MILES [marries: MILLER, MIRA]
| | | | | HILL, CHRISTOPHER
| | | HILL, CANDRA [marries: CARVER, JASON]
| | | | CARVER, IKIA [marries: IRVING, MANDER]
| POTTER, AIDEN
| POTTER, CONNER [marries: BREE, BLENDA]
| | POTTER, BENJAMIN
(all names are subject to change or deletion)
(ACCORDING TO TRACY)
POTTER, COLIN [marries: MASON, GENICA (GRYFFINDOR, CAILEAN)]
| POTTER, ELIOT [marries: ELLIS-JOHNSTONE, CALISTA]
| | POTTER, DEVLIN [marries: WRIGHT, SIRI]
| | | POTTER, MICAH [marries: CALLIS, HANNAH]
| | | | POTTER, DAVID [marries: PATTERSON, CATHERINE]
| | | | | POTTER, MATTHEW [marries: DAVIS, ELIZABETH]
| | | | | | POTTER, JAMES [marries: EVANS, LILY]
| | | | | | | POTTER, HARRY
| | | | | | POTTER, SYRAS
| | | POTTER, BETHANY [marries: KENDALL, CALEB]
| | | | KENDALL, EMMA [marries: ELLERY, DYLAN]
| | | | | ELLERY, ARDEN
| | | | KENDALL, ELIOT [marries: ANSON, ANTHEA]
| POTTER, CELINA [marries: HILL, BRYAN]
| | HILL, EDWIN [marries: DUNN, GILI]
| | HILL, GALEN [marries: ALDAN, MADGE]
| | | HILL, ALEXAVIER [marries: DANIN, MELORA]
| | | | HILL, BOWAN [marries: SADEN, BETH]
| | | | | HILL, ROWAN [marries: TAYLOR, LYDIA]
| | | | | | HILL, MEGAN
| | | | HILL, CORA [marries: CURTIS, EDAN]
| | | | | CURTIS, RYAN
| | | HILL, COLIN [marries: SCOTT, IANNA]
| | | | HILL, MILES [marries: MILLER, MIRA]
| | | | | HILL, CHRISTOPHER
| | | HILL, CANDRA [marries: CARVER, JASON]
| | | | CARVER, IKIA [marries: IRVING, MANDER]
| POTTER, AIDEN
| POTTER, CONNER [marries: BREE, BLENDA]
| | POTTER, BENJAMIN
(all names are subject to change or deletion)
Order of the Phoenix: Black Family Tree
THE MOST NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK
(ACCORDING TO TRACY)
BLACK, REGULUS [marries: LUCENO, SELENA]
| BLACK, CEPHEUS [marries: NIGELLUS, SITARA]
| | BLACK, PERSEUS [marries: MELIFLUS, ANDROMEDA]
| | | BLACK, REGULUS [marries: LIBRA, ANTHEA]
| | | | BLACK, ANDROMEDA [marries: TONKS, TED]
| | | | | TONKS, NYMPHADORA
| | | | BLACK, BELLATRIX [marries: LESTRANGE, RODOLPHUS]
| | | | BLACK, NARCISSA [marries: MALFOY, LUCIUS]
| | | | | MALFOY, DRACO
| | | BLACK, RIGEL [marries: WEAVER, VERITY (half-blood)]
| | | | BLACK, SIRIUS
| | BLACK, LACERTA
| BLACK, SABRINA [marries: ASKEW, ARVID]
| | ASKEW, SANA [marries: KARTCHNER, ROMULUS]
| | | KARTCHNER, ARVID [marries: BYROM, ALDIS]
| | | | KARTCHNER, RHEA
| | | KARTCHNER, ALBINA
(all names are subject to change or deletion)
(ACCORDING TO TRACY)
BLACK, REGULUS [marries: LUCENO, SELENA]
| BLACK, CEPHEUS [marries: NIGELLUS, SITARA]
| | BLACK, PERSEUS [marries: MELIFLUS, ANDROMEDA]
| | | BLACK, REGULUS [marries: LIBRA, ANTHEA]
| | | | BLACK, ANDROMEDA [marries: TONKS, TED]
| | | | | TONKS, NYMPHADORA
| | | | BLACK, BELLATRIX [marries: LESTRANGE, RODOLPHUS]
| | | | BLACK, NARCISSA [marries: MALFOY, LUCIUS]
| | | | | MALFOY, DRACO
| | | BLACK, RIGEL [marries: WEAVER, VERITY (half-blood)]
| | | | BLACK, SIRIUS
| | BLACK, LACERTA
| BLACK, SABRINA [marries: ASKEW, ARVID]
| | ASKEW, SANA [marries: KARTCHNER, ROMULUS]
| | | KARTCHNER, ARVID [marries: BYROM, ALDIS]
| | | | KARTCHNER, RHEA
| | | KARTCHNER, ALBINA
(all names are subject to change or deletion)
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Harry Potter and Lightsabers...
This doesn’t really have anything to do with anything, but I find that when I’m trying to think about my Harry Potter story I have a hard time dealing with the absence of lightsabers. There are really few things more satisfying to think about then a good lightsaber battle. The bright glow of the light swords. The clash as the beams of pure energy connect. The very deadly dance, beautiful in its own way, as the opponents dual each other. A wand battle just doesn’t compare.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Order of the Phoenix: Room of Spells
PURPOSE OF THE ROOM:
Contains the spells that deal with protection of Hogwarts Castle from dark wizards. The spells are carved into stone to provide strength and long life that might not otherwise be had. (explained more in nature of magic)
LOCATION OF THE ROOM:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, school castle, under the headmaster’s tower.
ENTRANCE TO THE ROOM:
In though the door and room guarded by the stone gargoyle that is the entrance to the headmaster’s tower. The entrance to the room of spells is reached by saying another password (or command) that reverses the direction of the staircase. Where once it was going up, after the password is said, it goes down. The staircase leads to a small landing. On the landing, set into the stones of the floor, is a kind of portkey that takes whoever is standing on the stone to the room of spells, granted they are truly allowed access to the room. If they are not allowed to enter the room, the stone does nothing.
The magic that dictates who is allowed to enter the room is carved (in latin words) into the stone in a circular fashion. The rules cannot be easily (if at all) changed. Officially, only the headmaster is allowed to enter and interact with the room, but those who hold the blood of the founders are able to enter as well.
It is possible that there are other rooms along the stairway going down and that the landing is somewhere in-between. It is also possible that someone that isn’t being observent would miss the landing. It might be hard to see from the stairs. Only someone who is looking for it, or, less likely, stumbles upon it, will find the landing.
DIMENTIONS/DISCRIPTION OF THE ROOM:
20ft in width
30ft in length
10ft in height
The room is rectangular and built from light-colored tan stone blocks. The stones are cut straight and fit tightly together with no signs of wear. The stone on the walls and ceiling are of medium size, rectangles of about 3ft by 2ft. The stones on the floor are made in various sizes and arranged in a pattern. It is one of these stone that acts as the entrance and exit portkey. The room contains no doors or windows. The floor stone is the only entrance to the room, there are no others.
Near the walls (about 3 ft from them) the ceiling drops down about 1-1.5 ft. Round columns (with a radius of about 1/2 ft) exist around the edges of the lowered ceiling. Each if the columns is about 5 ft apart. There is room enough to walk behind the columns. One of the light sources for the room shines down from between the columns and the wall (with no obvious source).
On the wall, between the columns, is the space for the spells. They are carved into the wall and glow with a faint light.
The light from the ceiling and the glow from the spells are the only light sources in the room. This leaves the center of the room slightly dark. This darkness draws attention to the spells on the wall.
The room is very clean and gives no impression of age.
HISTORY OF THE ROOM:
When the castle was first bulit, the location that was to become the hall of spells was part of the headmaster’s quarters and sat at the bottom of the spiral staircase.
It was not secret, but had a door and was entered by just reversing the stairs and walking down them. While we know that it wasn’t a room made to contain spells, we are unsure of what the headmaster did actually use the room for. That knowledge was lost.
When Slytherin split from the other founders, the entrence to the room was closed and the bottom of the stairs raised (so as to hide the knowledge of the room). The stone portkey was put in place, with all its magic, as the new entrence to the room and a password was placed on the stairs so that they were not easily reversed. The spells were then etched into the stone of the room and the castle was made safe from attack from dark wizards.
From the point of Slytherin’s split from the school to the present day, the room has served as a protection from dark magic.
The room was converted because of the new need for the protection from dark magic that existed after Slytherin split from the school. The school was founded as a haven against muggle persecution not as a haven against dark wizards. The spells placed on the school at its founding would have reflected this fact. While it is true that there were dark wizards before, and there was probably some protection against them, the real threat facing the wizarding world was from non-magic folk. Slytherin was another matter. He was a strong wizard (one of the strongest of that time) and held a grudge against the school and its founders. Stronger protection for the students, especially those with muggle blood, against him and those like him was needed. Thus, the room of spells.
SECRETS OF THE ROOM:
At the splitting of the founders, a prophecy was made by one of the remaining three in response to a threat of Slytherins. It spoke of the conflict that would come out of the split and the challenges they would fact in years to come.
When the remaining founders created the room of spells (or turned it into what it presently is), they recorded the works and occasion of the prophecy into the stones.
If activated, the letters of the spells rearrange themselves into the words of the prophecy. While this happens, a ghostly reenactment of the giving of the prophecy plays out in the room. This is the only whole or complete record of this prophecy. (explained more in Gryffindor vs. Slytherin)
The recording is most likely activated by certain words or a phrase.
NOTES:
[Saturday, June 18, 2005]
I am yet unsure what place this room of spells will play in the story. I know that it will be where the complete prophesy is discovered again, but how the prophecy fits into the main storyline I have yet to figure out. Hopefully I will figure all this out soon.
Contains the spells that deal with protection of Hogwarts Castle from dark wizards. The spells are carved into stone to provide strength and long life that might not otherwise be had. (explained more in nature of magic)
LOCATION OF THE ROOM:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, school castle, under the headmaster’s tower.
ENTRANCE TO THE ROOM:
In though the door and room guarded by the stone gargoyle that is the entrance to the headmaster’s tower. The entrance to the room of spells is reached by saying another password (or command) that reverses the direction of the staircase. Where once it was going up, after the password is said, it goes down. The staircase leads to a small landing. On the landing, set into the stones of the floor, is a kind of portkey that takes whoever is standing on the stone to the room of spells, granted they are truly allowed access to the room. If they are not allowed to enter the room, the stone does nothing.
The magic that dictates who is allowed to enter the room is carved (in latin words) into the stone in a circular fashion. The rules cannot be easily (if at all) changed. Officially, only the headmaster is allowed to enter and interact with the room, but those who hold the blood of the founders are able to enter as well.
It is possible that there are other rooms along the stairway going down and that the landing is somewhere in-between. It is also possible that someone that isn’t being observent would miss the landing. It might be hard to see from the stairs. Only someone who is looking for it, or, less likely, stumbles upon it, will find the landing.
DIMENTIONS/DISCRIPTION OF THE ROOM:
20ft in width
30ft in length
10ft in height
The room is rectangular and built from light-colored tan stone blocks. The stones are cut straight and fit tightly together with no signs of wear. The stone on the walls and ceiling are of medium size, rectangles of about 3ft by 2ft. The stones on the floor are made in various sizes and arranged in a pattern. It is one of these stone that acts as the entrance and exit portkey. The room contains no doors or windows. The floor stone is the only entrance to the room, there are no others.
Near the walls (about 3 ft from them) the ceiling drops down about 1-1.5 ft. Round columns (with a radius of about 1/2 ft) exist around the edges of the lowered ceiling. Each if the columns is about 5 ft apart. There is room enough to walk behind the columns. One of the light sources for the room shines down from between the columns and the wall (with no obvious source).
On the wall, between the columns, is the space for the spells. They are carved into the wall and glow with a faint light.
The light from the ceiling and the glow from the spells are the only light sources in the room. This leaves the center of the room slightly dark. This darkness draws attention to the spells on the wall.
The room is very clean and gives no impression of age.
HISTORY OF THE ROOM:
When the castle was first bulit, the location that was to become the hall of spells was part of the headmaster’s quarters and sat at the bottom of the spiral staircase.
It was not secret, but had a door and was entered by just reversing the stairs and walking down them. While we know that it wasn’t a room made to contain spells, we are unsure of what the headmaster did actually use the room for. That knowledge was lost.
When Slytherin split from the other founders, the entrence to the room was closed and the bottom of the stairs raised (so as to hide the knowledge of the room). The stone portkey was put in place, with all its magic, as the new entrence to the room and a password was placed on the stairs so that they were not easily reversed. The spells were then etched into the stone of the room and the castle was made safe from attack from dark wizards.
From the point of Slytherin’s split from the school to the present day, the room has served as a protection from dark magic.
The room was converted because of the new need for the protection from dark magic that existed after Slytherin split from the school. The school was founded as a haven against muggle persecution not as a haven against dark wizards. The spells placed on the school at its founding would have reflected this fact. While it is true that there were dark wizards before, and there was probably some protection against them, the real threat facing the wizarding world was from non-magic folk. Slytherin was another matter. He was a strong wizard (one of the strongest of that time) and held a grudge against the school and its founders. Stronger protection for the students, especially those with muggle blood, against him and those like him was needed. Thus, the room of spells.
SECRETS OF THE ROOM:
At the splitting of the founders, a prophecy was made by one of the remaining three in response to a threat of Slytherins. It spoke of the conflict that would come out of the split and the challenges they would fact in years to come.
When the remaining founders created the room of spells (or turned it into what it presently is), they recorded the works and occasion of the prophecy into the stones.
If activated, the letters of the spells rearrange themselves into the words of the prophecy. While this happens, a ghostly reenactment of the giving of the prophecy plays out in the room. This is the only whole or complete record of this prophecy. (explained more in Gryffindor vs. Slytherin)
The recording is most likely activated by certain words or a phrase.
NOTES:
[Saturday, June 18, 2005]
I am yet unsure what place this room of spells will play in the story. I know that it will be where the complete prophesy is discovered again, but how the prophecy fits into the main storyline I have yet to figure out. Hopefully I will figure all this out soon.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Order of the Phoenix: Prophecy
THE NATURE OF PROPHECY:
A prophecy shall not create events, it shall just tell of them. This is in contrast to the idea that prophecies create or make come about the events they tell of. No, prophecies just tell of events. This would mean that even if the prophecy was never made the events would still come about. The events, thought, would not be put in the context the prophecy could put them into. They would not be made as significant as the prophecy could made them.
Still, if a prophecy is made and it is a true (real) prophecy, the events it tell of will happen. You could say they were set in stone (or paper if the prophecy is written :).
THE GIVERS OF PROPHECY:
Usually, those that receive prophecy have a tendency towards those types of things, but it is not limited to these alone. If the situation call for it, a person who has no record of such things may receive prophecy. Nor does receiving a prophecy once mean that it will ever happen again.
THE GIVING OF PROPHECY:
The actual giving of the prophecy will be something outside the person chosen to tell the prophecy. It is something they will be compelled, as it were, to say. They will not have a choice in the matter. It will be very evident that what this person is saying is not of themselves. The origin of prophecy will not be delved into at this time.
NOTES:
[Monday, February 7, 2005]
Much of this is slightly different then biblical prophecy. Prophecy in the bible seems like it was usually told to a prophet by someone (or something) or some kind of knowledge that they have. Remembering that biblical prophecy isn’t always telling of the future but is telling of God and proclaiming the truth (which may be truth about the future). So it is a different kind of prophecy then the one that will be used in the story.
A prophecy shall not create events, it shall just tell of them. This is in contrast to the idea that prophecies create or make come about the events they tell of. No, prophecies just tell of events. This would mean that even if the prophecy was never made the events would still come about. The events, thought, would not be put in the context the prophecy could put them into. They would not be made as significant as the prophecy could made them.
Still, if a prophecy is made and it is a true (real) prophecy, the events it tell of will happen. You could say they were set in stone (or paper if the prophecy is written :).
THE GIVERS OF PROPHECY:
Usually, those that receive prophecy have a tendency towards those types of things, but it is not limited to these alone. If the situation call for it, a person who has no record of such things may receive prophecy. Nor does receiving a prophecy once mean that it will ever happen again.
THE GIVING OF PROPHECY:
The actual giving of the prophecy will be something outside the person chosen to tell the prophecy. It is something they will be compelled, as it were, to say. They will not have a choice in the matter. It will be very evident that what this person is saying is not of themselves. The origin of prophecy will not be delved into at this time.
NOTES:
[Monday, February 7, 2005]
Much of this is slightly different then biblical prophecy. Prophecy in the bible seems like it was usually told to a prophet by someone (or something) or some kind of knowledge that they have. Remembering that biblical prophecy isn’t always telling of the future but is telling of God and proclaiming the truth (which may be truth about the future). So it is a different kind of prophecy then the one that will be used in the story.
FanFiction.net
The largest fan-fiction site on the Internet that I know of. It has stories based on almost everything. If you want to find fan-fiction based on a particular story then you can most likely find it here. Be warned, though, it is slightly (or maybe more then slightly) addictive.
My user name is Mirax Myra Terrik (a character from the X-Wing series) and the URL for my profile (with a list of the very few and short stories I’ve posted) is http://www.fanfiction.net/u/55085/
My user name is Mirax Myra Terrik (a character from the X-Wing series) and the URL for my profile (with a list of the very few and short stories I’ve posted) is http://www.fanfiction.net/u/55085/
...and it begins
This site was created for the purpose of writing down notes and thoughts about the various stories I’m currently working on. I’m hoping that it will help me to organize my work as well as provide a way for the people who are helping me to know what is going on with the stories (especially in the case of one particular story).
I mainly work on fan-fiction. That means the characters (or universes) that I write about have been created by someone else and are owned by them. Fan-Fiction is done purely for fun and with permission (in that they don’t stop us) from the authors. All credit for non-original characters and settings are given to the author they belong to.
With that said, I mainly concern myself with Star Wars, Stargate, and Harry Potter fan-fiction. Although I also am quite fond of Lord of the Rings, I can’t bring myself to read (with the exception of one) or write anything about Middle Earth. I’m quite content with the actual published work. Anyway, there are three stories I’m currently working on. By working on I mean gathering information about how the fictional universe works, figuring out plot, creating characters and history, and all those wonderful things. Only after that can the stories be written. So…
(1) The first story I’m working on concerns the Jedi Order and is set in Old Republic times sometime before The Phantom Menace (I haven’t decided exactly how long before). It is a story about a Jedi Master and a Jedi Student and how they come to be Master and Apprentice. The main characters are my own (as in original characters).
It shall be referred to as Jedi Apprentice 1.
(2) The second story I’m working on is, in a way, a continuation of the first. It is about the Jedi Student (now a Knight) and how she comes to take her first apprentice.
This story will be referred to as Jedi Apprentice 2.
(3) The third is probably the largest and most time consuming thing in history (at least it sometimes seems like it). This project comes from an extreme dislike of the fifth Harry Potter book (I hated it) and a vow to write my own version of the fifth year. So, that is what it is… My version of Order of the Phoenix (and it shall be referred to as such).
At the moment that is all I’m working on in the way of stories. I have several other ideas I’d like to eventually write, but I’d like to finish these three first. I say that as if it is possible to finish these three. We will see.
I mainly work on fan-fiction. That means the characters (or universes) that I write about have been created by someone else and are owned by them. Fan-Fiction is done purely for fun and with permission (in that they don’t stop us) from the authors. All credit for non-original characters and settings are given to the author they belong to.
With that said, I mainly concern myself with Star Wars, Stargate, and Harry Potter fan-fiction. Although I also am quite fond of Lord of the Rings, I can’t bring myself to read (with the exception of one) or write anything about Middle Earth. I’m quite content with the actual published work. Anyway, there are three stories I’m currently working on. By working on I mean gathering information about how the fictional universe works, figuring out plot, creating characters and history, and all those wonderful things. Only after that can the stories be written. So…
(1) The first story I’m working on concerns the Jedi Order and is set in Old Republic times sometime before The Phantom Menace (I haven’t decided exactly how long before). It is a story about a Jedi Master and a Jedi Student and how they come to be Master and Apprentice. The main characters are my own (as in original characters).
It shall be referred to as Jedi Apprentice 1.
(2) The second story I’m working on is, in a way, a continuation of the first. It is about the Jedi Student (now a Knight) and how she comes to take her first apprentice.
This story will be referred to as Jedi Apprentice 2.
(3) The third is probably the largest and most time consuming thing in history (at least it sometimes seems like it). This project comes from an extreme dislike of the fifth Harry Potter book (I hated it) and a vow to write my own version of the fifth year. So, that is what it is… My version of Order of the Phoenix (and it shall be referred to as such).
At the moment that is all I’m working on in the way of stories. I have several other ideas I’d like to eventually write, but I’d like to finish these three first. I say that as if it is possible to finish these three. We will see.
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