#i also had a high level crucio

[avielex]

DING DONG THE ZOUWU IS DEAD

It wasn't the zoom attack that was the problem, it was the time it spent! Restarted over and over until it decided not to use it in one battle, and it was over with 15 seconds still left.

[alexandriastark76]

How I accidentally Saved The Wizarding World

I stared down at my chemistry book and wondered that just what crime had I committed in my previous life to get such gruesome consequences in the present. I slammed the book shut and went for my phone, because why the hell not, I had earnt it and went through my downloaded fanfic list to scroll for some nice Irondad or Severitus fic. Seems like fates disagreed and the door to my room blasted open, someone yelling, “Bombarda!” behind. I mean, okay dude, that’s cool and all-you being some crazy Potterhead because so am I- but still, why you gotta bring my innocent door in the middle of this? My poor door which was now dead on the floor vanished- seriously!- and two cloaked men appeared. Holy Loki, this was some new level of cosplaying right here. “Excuse me, my door was distinctly innocent in this useless fiasco, messers.” The smoke cleared and then I got a proper look at the cosplayers. Hats off to the makeup artist because they looked exactly like Voldemort and a certain Potions Master.

Now, I can believe that Ralph Fiennes has somehow materialized in my house which sits in one of the busiest states of the Indian Subcontinent, but Alan Rickman could- by no way could be here, because he’s like- uhm- the d-word and I do not like to think about it because he was one of my favourite actors (though Snape could tone down his meanness by a hell of a lot of notches). So yeah, either they were excellent doppelgangers or I had somehow travelled back in time with the non-existent Quantum Passage Travelling Bracelet made by Mr Stark, which, again not possible because I still could not get a hang of the Basics Of Quantum Physics my teacher is teaching me in the class. “As cool as it sounds that Ralph Fiennes and Alan Rickman are standing on the door of my insanely messy room, it somehow doesn’t match the reality in which I live, So, you have five seconds to start explaining whatever the fuck you did or I call my best friend to swear at you in an insanely creative language. Or I’ll probably run.” “Silence!” the not-Voldemort-or-Ralph Fiennes hissed and not-Professor Snape just stared. “You can just use Silencio instead of screaming, right?” not-Voldemort stared again and said, “You should be both scared and honoured for your pitiful life right now.” “I am disappointed in my life that I still am alive with the way I get into accidents, but do go on.” “..you are about to be killed by Lord Voldemort, why are you not covering on your knees and begging to be saved?” “I prefer others on their knees before me, but hey, no kink-shaming here. It’s a free estate. Not sure if that meme works here, but who cares.”

“Keep quiet you insolent insect, or you will suffer the wrath of the Cruciatus Curse.” I looked Voldemort right in his eyes and deadpanned, “I am a Science student who has taken PCMB, in the Indian society. You’ll be surprised with how high my pain tolerance is.”

And then, the noseless prat yelled, pointing his wand- oh right, it actually was a wand- at me, “Crucio!” It felt like someone poking me incessantly and honestly, it was ticklish and also very weird because someone poking you on your arse is never not going to be weird.

When that passed, the noseless prat stared at me as if I was some kind of eighth wonder in the world. Maybe I was, but then, staring is bad. “Woah, is that what you call torture?” I sighed dramatically, “Wait till I tell you about the stigma and the experiences of a desi girl in a stereotypical Indian society. No wonder, you Nazis- er- Death Eaters think that the Cruciatus is the worst kind of torture.” And I launched in a detailed explanation of the Dowry System, Anti-LGBT sentiment and the female infanticide. By the end of the whole ordeal, Severus (we had come on a first-name basis when I was explaining subtle but painful toxic parenting full of manipulation and gaslighting.) had gone to throw up two times and one more since he was in the washroom right now. As for Voldemort, he actually whimpered in the end, handed me his wand in his shaking hands and whispered, “Please stop, even the Cruciatus would be better than this.” “Aye bro told ya. Oh wait, I forgot to tell you about Social Exclusion and Honour Killing in the caste system.” “Stop!” they yelled in sync, Severus albeit louder as he had just emerged from the loo and was in the threat of puking out his entire oesophagus along (again). I giggled and said, “You want me to try the Cruciatus on you?” Tom (I refuse to call him Voldemort, it’s a mouthful and I keep getting the pronunciation wrong.)

But then it hit me that, “...I am a muggle.” Severus shook his head gravely and said, “No, I can feel the magical aura around you.” he paused, eyeing the wand twirling in my hand, whose master was massaging his forehead (who knew that the Darkest Wizard got confused with the acronym ‘LGBT’) and sipping on iced coffee, “Try a spell, a simple levitation charm will do, I suppose, the incantation is-” “WinGARdium LeviOsa, yeah I know.” Instead, I pointed Tom’s wand at him and said, “Finite.” at once, a thin sheen like structure melted and the pale, ghastly, snake-like features bled into the tall, fair and handsome Christian Coulson-version of Lord Voldemort. “Yes!” I crowed, “This is my favourite headcanon! I knew you looked pretty and I knew that this was just a glamour, hah, wait till I post this on Tumblr.” “This was supposed to be my secret,” Tom whispered in a pained voice. I rolled my eyes, “So? Even your Horcrux is supposed to be a secret, but Dumbledore, Regulus Black, even Harry and I know.” It was surprising how flabbergasted an emotionless cretin could look. Well, not an emotionless cretin any longer. It was even more surprising when Tom fucking Riddle knelt down on knee (I mean, don’t get me wrong, I could marry this beautiful faced man in a heartbeat, but then, his megalomaniac dreams and my crazy imagination cannot even travel together in an elevator given how much space each of them would take.) as if he had understood my Domme status and asked, “Would you like to join my ranks of Death Eater, Lady-” “Amelia, but call me Lia, please.” “Lady Lia? As my second-in-command.” “If I get to date (and kick him in the shins for many questionable actions) Draco Malfoy, attend Hogwarts, get a wand, have the freedom to be a nerd and choose any occupation in the world and not go to Azkaban, then yes.” “You have my word, Lady Lia that you will have the full freedom to go to Hogwarts, get a wand, date young Malfoy, choose any occupation and not go to Azkaban. My Death Eaters will provide you full protection and even die trying to save you.” “Done. Professor-” I turned to Severus, “I want my Hogwarts acceptance letter. Better late than never.” He swished his wand and a letter materialised in his hand.

To Ms L Radcliffe,

Second bedroom down the corridor,

Flat B-106,

India, Asia

Dear Ms Radliffe, we are pleased to inform you…

“YAY!” I yelled, temporarily deeming both Sev and Tom bereft of their auditory nerves, “Amelia Miller is going to be sooooo jealous!”

“However,” I turned to the duo with a frown etched on my face and Tom immediately cooed, patting my hair which I batted away, I was no pet animal to pet, “Your Death Eaters are not going to be happy with a mudblood joining their ranks.” The effect was immediate. Severus raised a finger, trying to hypothetically silence me (hah, as if silencing me literally is an option, I’d go down singing along with that unfortunate soul :)) and Tom scowled, “Do not use that word, for you are gem amidst these insects you live with.” I wisely thought to leave out the fact that not even half an hour before, I was one of those insects, but whatever. “Shall we apparate then, my Lord?” Severus asked Tom and I kind of mentally drooled and basked in how smooth that accent sounded. Gotta love and hate the Brits for having that voice, like why? Why not us? “Wait, we are leaving?” I was panicking all of a sudden. If I left, I wouldn't be able to attend my Maths and Chem specialist class and no class meant no knowledge and without the freaking knowledge, I’d get zero in my notes and subject enrichment column, which would lead to poor grades and then I’d fail spectacularly and then, no qualifier exam and then no future, I’d be a peasant oh god- “-Lia?” “Yeah?” “Surely, you did not think that being here would give you enough time to focus on your task to be Lord Voldemort’s most coveted, now, did you?” By Lucifer, they are literally talking of taking me away from his reality and pausing all my pain and torture, well, might as well take this chance to sneak out, because of course, sneaking out is for teenagers and so am I. Who knows, I might even be in the universe where MCU is real. Like, imagine being in the universe where both the Wizarding World and the Marvel Cinematic Universe is living parallelly. I am, not in a million years refusing this course of action. Even then, I asked, you know, like a jerk.

“What am I to gain from that though?”

“Tell me, would you not like to have the power to kill, maim or torture someone painfully to death at your barest command?” Oh well, it did sound appetizing. Perhaps that mean class captain of mine, or I dunno, that rude chemistry teacher in my class, No wait, my 9th grade’s Geography teacher, some Cruciatus would do her good, or maybe a slow Sectumsempra would be nice too but then- “Anyone who dared to harm the Dark Lord’s most coveted, has dared to go against Lord Voldemort himself.” Interesting, but did he really think I was the Dark Lord’s most coveted? “Dark Lord’s most coveted, my, are we going soft Thomas?” And oh sweet Jesus, the Darkest fucking wizard of all time and the audacity to fucking Blush. Am I still conscious or is this some kind of lucid dreaming? “I made you my second-in-command, that automatically marks as you as my most coveted. Your wish is my command.” “Well, okay but hold up-” I went back to my desk, picked up my power bank and charger, my phone, headphone, earphone, a thick diary, my beloved Trimax and threw them in my bunny-themed duffel back (I threw in my Iron Man t-shirt for good measure). Then, I went to my desk, smeared some random answers on the open worksheet, threw in a pencil for the sTuDY feels and kept an eraser nearby. “Yeah, I’m done.” Severus was staring with his eyebrow raised where Tom was just staring fondly at me (I blushed internally).

“What was that?” the head of Slytherin asked. “Oh well, I was procrastinating before you two barged in so when mum comes home, she would at least see that I was studying even though I wasn’t.” “You’d make a good Slytherin,” Tom smirked and ruffled my hair (I am not a cat okay?), “Perhaps we should get her sorted.”

“I do believe we can discuss what would be the best course of action from her on after we apparate, my Lord?” Tom nodded and stretched out his hand, “Shall we?” I cast a last look at my messt\y room and announced to no one in particular, “I’m gonna do a time, space and reality travel without my Dad’s (aka Tony Stark) time travel machine fellas, Stephen Strange better be jealous or imma blow a gasket.” “Here goes nothing,” I say and put my hand on the now not-noseless prat and then I am sucked in-

-and thrown out and so are the contents of my delicate stomach. Pity, the cottage cheese was pretty tasty.

[neptune-stars]

i know that we never actually got much info about the marauders era but we do know that lily had friends other than her husband and his friends, and i would really love to elaborate on that

imagine alice (as she’s two years older than lily, i believe, in canon, although i’m not sure) being a bit like a big sister to lily after petunia all but disowns her. imagine mary mcdonald studying with lily in the library and giggling over an oblivious remus. imagine marlene teaching lily how to braid her hair and dorcas teaching her pureblood customs. imagine the girls building forts under their blankets at night and generally being best, best friends like sisters

imagine the girls all being bridesmaids at lily’s wedding - alice and mary and marlene and dorcas (the maid of honor is left empty, for a blood sister that doesn’t bother to show). imagine lily introducing them to harry as ‘auntie marlene’ and ‘aunt dorcas’ and ‘aunt mary’ and ‘your godmum, aunt alice’. imagine them fighting back to back against death eaters, side by side always. imagine them jumping in front of curses for each other, even though they all know the risks, but not caring because a life without eachother isn’t really a life at all.

marlene dies first. she’s killed by voldemort himself, her and her brothers and her mum - lily tries valiantly to herself together, if not for her sake but for dorcas, whos inconsolable in her grief.

dorcas goes next. she was never the same after marlene died - she used riskier moves, slept less, and overall, lily really did think dorcas was almost begging for death. voldemort decided she had gone to far when she (as the chief editor of daily prophet) wrote a long piece about voldemort’s true name and half-blood status - he killed her the day afterwards, but mercifully, as she was, technically, a pure blood, and even though she had angered him like nothing before, he would respect his ancestors.

lily dies only a few weeks after dorcas does, and she dies just as bravely as her sisters in all but blood did - she sacrificed herself for her son. she cursed herself for trusting pettigrew, wishing they had used someone else, anyone else, instead, as lily and james and all of harry’s aunts watched him be abused from the world above with nothing they could possibly do to help.

alice is practically empty, really, now that Riddle is gone, and nearly all her family gone (both her parents and her little sister were killed a few years before, ss was her father-in-law, and now all she had left in blood relations is her big brother, who owns an icecream shop in diagon), and she is still grieving when the death eaters break past the wards and into her house. the yell of crucio envelopes her but she refuses to yell, refuses to cry, because she is alice anne fortesque-longbottom and she will not cry, not with her baby so close - and bellatrix screams in rage of having a silent victim, and alice’s mind snaps. alice is stuck inside of her head until she dies and she finds herself wishing the crazy bitch had just killed her instead.

mary is a shell, a ghost of what she once was. everyone is dead, now, or gone somehow - marlene and dorcas and lily dead, alice as good as, her sisters really all gone. james, someone she had seen as a brother, was gone too, and peter pettigrew (she never liked him, still thought he was a creep after he basically stalked her for years at hogwarts, but she couldn’t help but feel bad at his tragic end), and sirius black, who she actually had enjoyed the company of, as he was often at the potter household just as much as she was, was incarcerated in azkaban. he doesn’t get a trial and when she visits him finally, after nine months of asking, he tells her he didn’t do it, and mary believes him. because to sirius and james, it would always and forever be them before anything else (mary knows that’s james would choose sirius over lily, just as lily would choose mary over james, because siblings trump all), but as she is not a powerful Lady of houses, she doesn’t quite have the influence to demand a trial. she sticks with visiting him every few months, sneaking in chocolate bars and thick blankets. she tries to send an owl off to remus, but it comes back unopened, and she realizes he always was the type to wallow, so she lets him be. she tries more than anything to visit harry, to gain custody of him from lily’s wicked sister, but stops only when dumbledore threatens to report her to the ministry for stalking, and, when that doesn’t work, threatens to stop allowing meetings between her and sirius (and dumbledore knows that sirius black is innocent, mary knows he does, and mary also knows that dumbledore is chief warlock and could get sirius a trial if he wanted too, but if sirius does get freed that would mean he would get custody of harry and for some reason dumbledore would never all that) so she backs off. mary goes to france ministry and gets a job as an auror, studying law on the side, but she never does get to meet harry again - she dies at a stray curse by a high level crimes boss near the eiffel tower, and the light glows over her body softly as it cools.

the sisterhood is united once more.

[sauerland-2001]

Thank you my friend @dtexo for tagging me 💜

1. what is the color of your hairbrush?

Purple and black

2. a food you never eat?

oh loads :-(  all kinds of sea food, olives, marzipan, raisins - I’m basically a five year old in that respect!

3. are you typically too warm or too cold?

too warm - I hate the heat and I live in a city with high level of humidity in the summer: the worst!!

4. what were you doing 45 minutes ago?

Talking to a colleague on the phone

5. what is your favorite candy bar?

Bounty - it’s the best 

6. have you ever been to a professional sports event?

oh loads!!  ski-jumping, figure skating, tennis, football, basketball, ice-hockey.  I love watching sports events. 

7. what is the last thing you said out loud?

"I’m going upstairs to call my colleague” (said to my mother)

8. what is your favorite ice cream?

chocolate

9. what was the last thing you had to drink?

herbal tea

10. do you like your wallet?

Yes, I love it.  my sister and I bought the same ones on a trip to the Netherlands in February, which feels like a lifetime ago.  We were so happy we both liked it so we got one each.  We never mind owning the same things, like shirts or wallets :-)

11. what was the last thing you ate?

Weetabix and a banana, I had a late breakfast 

12. did you buy any new clothes last weekend?

No

13. the last sporting event you watched?

Probably something tennis related on youtube, probably a Wimbledon match

14. what is your favorite flavor of popcorn?

Salt

15. who is the last person you sent a text message to?

The colleague I then had the phone conversation with :-D

16. ever go camping?

No and I don’t plan to 

17. do you take vitamins?

No.  I’m never sure if I should.

18. do you go to church every sunday?

No, not Christian

19. do you have a tan?

Well, I am south-asian, so I have a tan by nature and I tan even more the second sunlight hits me :-(  

20. do you prefer chinese food or pizza?

I like both but I LOVE pizza

21. do you drink your soda with a straw?

No

22. what color socks do you usually wear?

Black

23. ever drive above the speed limit?

Well, since I live in Germany:  What’s a speed limit...?

24. what terrifies you?

Crowds, losing people who are close to me,

25. look to your left, what do you see?

School books and a list of names from my senior students

26. what chore do you hate?

All of them tbh

27. what do you think of when you hear an australian accent?

Dance Academy

28. what’s your favorite soda?

Coke Zero

29. do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thru?

Drive-thru 

30. who’s the last person you talked to?

That colleague!!  lol

31. favorite cut of beef?

don’t know 

32. last song you listened to?

Epilogue - Justin Hurwitz (from the La La Land soundtrack)

33. last book you read?

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy - Mackenzi Lee

34. favorite day of the week?

Friday and Saturday

35. can you say the alphabet backwards?

No

36. do you like your coffee?

Never drink coffee, only tea 

37. favorite pair of shoes?

the pair I can slip on the easiest 

38. at what time do you normally go to bed?

back when life was normal between 10 and 11.30 pm, since Corona at all times of the day honestly.  I will never get back into a humanly acceptable sleep rhythm 

39. at what time do you normally get up?

normally at 6.30, now....when ever I feel like it.  

40. what do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets?

Sunsets

41. how many blankets are on your bed?

One

42. describe your kitchen plates.

Blue and white

43. do you have a favorite alcoholic beverage?

I rarely drink so I’m a total lightweight, which means I like stuff like apple cider :-D I also enjoy a cocktail from time to time.  But it’s super rare.  

44. do you play cards?

No, but I’d love to

45. what color is your car?

Silver

46. can you change a tire?

Nope

47. what is your favorite province?

-

48. favorite job you’ve ever had?

My current one:  there’s nothing more fun than being a teacher/working with children

49. how did you get your biggest scar?

surgery five years ago, it’s below my navel  

50. what did you do today that made someone else happy?

Helped that colleague to prepare the lessons for when the students return :-D

 I’m tagging @curly-eyebrows @skamamoroma @henrysalex  @crucios  @lovely-things3  @paceywittersherocomplex @hopetofantasy and anyone else who wants to do it :) (also, feel free to ignore, of course!)

[bookishtickles]

Ranking all of the movies and books of Harry Potter. I genuinely enjoy all of these I just enjoy some more than others

1) Deathly Hallows book

I can't praise this book more than I already have. This book shows what masterful storytelling the whole series had, and, the best part imo, it shows us why Harry had these random little out of character moments throughout the other books where he had the feeling he "lost control" or got "taken over", it's in this book I realized why Harry had such a big and beautiful patronus (Ron literally says Harry had the most beautiful patronus he's ever seen), and, the best even in the best, we learn why Dumbledore has a "flicker of triumph" in goblet of fire after he learns Voldemort took Harry's blood. And "Forest Again" is the best chapter in any book I have ever read. Harry's walk is unlike anything I have ever read and it evokes emotion in me that nothing else in fiction ever has (in any medium, no movie, no tv show, no book, no video game). Battle of Hogwarts is amazing as well, and it gave me actually anxiety. Actually this whole book achieved that tbh. It's just absolutely amazing

2) Goblet of Fire book

When I hear people talk about Harry Potter, this is the first book I think of. It's the first truly dark book in the series, and I adore it. It's such a perfect mix of fun, and the magic, and darkness, and it all leads up to the moment Harry gets kidnapped by Voldemort, and he is forced to watch Voldemort ride back to power. That entire chapter gave me actually anxiety after I read it. First chapter in the series to do that. And the way the book is written too where you know something is going in and don't know what and you can't help the feeling Harry is in trouble (which obviously turned out to be true) even though everything bad happening has nothing to do with him. This book also has 2 of my favorite scenes in the whole series, which is Mr Crouch acting like a madman in the woods because he's been tortured by Voldemort to the brink of insanity, and the hospital scene where we see unlikely allies and Mrs Weasley hugs Harry

3) Order of the Phoenix movie

With all the criticisms I have for the movies, no one is more surprised than me that a movie is in my top 3, and above the book at that. But the reason the movie is so high is entirely because of Daniel Radcliffe and the lady that plays Umbridge. This movie would have either failed or thrived based in their performance and it thrives. Umbridge is perfect, and she truly is the character in the books so much so that I see her reading the book, which I can't say for any of the other actors. I would be able to say the same for Daniel had they kept his stuff as it is in the book like in this movie because he radiates book Harry energy in this movie in every single scene. He plays the trauma exactly, he plays the shy perfectly where in the other movies it's just awkward rather than cute like in the books but here he is adorable, the kindness and gentleness (Daniel has such a soft voice, it's perfect), and he plays the part so well you can tell when it is Harry and when it is not. When he attempts Crucio on Bellatrix, it was clever to have him hear Voldemort in his head because obviously they can not say Harry "lost control" *wink wink* in the movie, and in a way hearing the horcrux trying to get him to do it is more effective. And I also love how he had that little head thing to show Voldemort is inside him. Also, Daniel's scream when Sirius dies was so raw, so real, so distressing, so horrible that it made the entire cast cry, the crew cry, jk Rowling cry, but they cut it so they did not traumatize kids. If it was that upsetting, Daniel did a fucking good job. The movies only missteps are cutting the scene where the trio see Neville in the hospital with his parents, and cutting out the first half of Harry in Dumbledore's office when he has a breakdown, screams at Dumbledore and breaks some of his things. The second half of it where Harry is calm again but still horrified and upset are extremely well done I just wish they kept the first too, especially because Daniel probably would have absolutely nailed it. And last thing, thank fuck that they kept it that it is still Harry's pure heart and having too much love for Voldemort to bear be the reason Voldemort flees from his body and didn't do some Movie Harry bullshit (oh don't worry, you'll know what I mean by the end)

4) Prisoner of Azkaban book

Very good. The dementors and the patronus charm are good. The reveals are all good. Quidditch is amazing in this book. The time travel was a bit.... long to read. All in all, very good though

5) Order of the Phoenix book

I don't really have to say anything I didn't say for the movie in some way, but the deep dive in Harry's trauma from goblet of fire is chilling and seeing him cope with it is so sad as he wonders why everyone is cutting him out, than purposely isolates himself, than comes back around just to have Hogwarts be controlled by Umbitch

6) Prisoner of Azkaban movie

This would be a perfect adaptation if they included quidditch and didn't have Harry want to give Pettigrew to the dementors. Who thought that was a good idea, I have no idea. The start of what I like to call, "Movie Harry" because movie Harry is Harry but with an edge. But you can't judge a whole movie from a 2 second line so it's still high

7) Philosophers stone book

This book is so cute and such a good intro to the world and the characters that it just makes me smile

8) Half blood prince book

This was originally my least favorite book, but I think I was too hard on it. Harry's lack of trauma is a problem, but the rest of the book is great so I guess I can ignore it and Harry's trauma is back at the end of the book, I just don't understand why Harry, save for like, 4 scenes, is just normal again and not traumatized

9) sorcerers stone movie

It bothers me that this is called sorcerers stone, yeah I'm American so we say sorcerer but this takes place in England so Americans should get over it, but it's a very good adaptation. Nothing was drastically changed, the kid actors are cute and do a good job, and it's solid, except that Movie Harry kills Quirrell. Not what happens in the book

10) chamber of secrets book

Still good, it's just not my favorite 🤷‍♀️ I don't have any big criticisms, just that it's not as good as the others

11) chamber of secrets movie

Just like the book, I have no big criticisms. Just like the book, very good, only criticism is that it has pretty uninspired cinematography, it kinda makes it feel like a stage show

12) deathly hallows 1

Nothing wrong with this adaptation on a surface level, but things aren't as developed as they could be because they got neglected in other movies, like Dobby. Also another appearance of "Movie Harry" because Harry is somehow a badass who rlly tries to fight Nagini the snake, when in the book he freezes in fear and than gets attacked

13) deathly hallows 2

Battle of Hogwarts -> underwhelming

Gringotts break in -> underwhelming

Harry's walk -> underwhelming and comes no where near the book (especially that forced scene where Harry talks to Ron and Hermione that doesn't happen in the book)

Final battle between Harry and Voldemort -> can't be anything really cause it doesn't happen in the book. It's All "Movie Harry". The book is just Harry trying to make Voldemort understand what he's done wrong and trying to get him to feel remorse and than Voldemort tried to kill him and Harry disarms him, and the killing curse bounces back on Voldemort cause the wand he's using sees Harry as it's master cause reasons, read the books. The movie they have this long and weird duel where Harry is suddenly an action hero? That's why we call him Movie Harry. It's really weird and they don't even mention the protective spell his sacrifice cast or the fact voldenort has a chance of redemption cause he took Harry's blood, or have Harry try to save him. Do it turns out that Harry's pure heart and the amount of love Harry has ISNT really his "power the Dark Lord knows not", in the movies it's.... disarming people? I don't know though but by taking out the fact Harry tried to save Voldemort and his sacrifice didn't trigger the protective charm (which can only be cast by true and untainted love), it certainly isn't love like in the books which is very disappointing cause it's what made and makes Harry such a special character

14) half blood prince movie

I can't explain it, this movie just has such a weird energy. Daniels acting is so awkward and bizarre, and coming off of order, it's really disappointing. And no only that, but the fact they cut 99% of the Voldemort backstory is terrible. They also slaughtered Harry and Ginny. And took out one of Harry's best lines in the whole series when Snape gets irritated at Harry and corrects Harry by repeating his sentence and saying "sir" at the end and Harry says "there's no need to call me sir professor". Daniel, throughout the movies, was so good at Harry's deadpan snark lines that's bizarre they cut it. And yet another appearance of Movie Harry when they have Harry be brave during the horcrux Hunt when in reality Harry wanted to leave as soon as possible. That's the thing these movies do that's really weird, Harry is either uncharacteristically badass with an edge or unbearingly awkward. They also cut out one of Ron's best lines when Snape asks Harry to explain the difference between a soul and Inferi and Harry doesn't know the answer and awakardly says "Ghosts are transparent" and Snape says "inferi is a body controlled by dark magic and a ghost is the mark of a departed soul, and as Potter so wisely tells us, are transparent" and embarrassed Harry in front of the whole class and Ron, being the protective friend he is, says "well that's helpful! See a ghost we're gonna notice it's transparent, we're not gonna say "excuse me, are you the mark of a departed soul?" Two gold lines they cut for some reason. And of course, I'll never forgive hem for cutting "I'm not worried, Harry. I'm with you," THEY EVEN FILMED IT AND JUST CHOSE NOT TO INCLUDE IT WHAT WHY WTF, that for not including Hermione telling Harry "you said there would come a time where whether Ron and I could go back if we wanted (from order of the Phoenix), well, we've had time, haven't we" and Ron says "we're with you, whatever happens". The two lines that show how much Harry is loved and they cut them

15) goblet of fire movie

This movie is an insult to anyone who has read the book. And of course, Movie Harry does it again when he, like a true badass, saves himself by ascending from the water during the second task. And Movie Harry suddenly becomes an extrovert just got one scene where he loves the attention he gets from the crowd after the first task. When has Harry ever been an extrovert? When has Harry ever liked all that attention? All the character development got cut, all the quiet moments got cut, Dumbledore screams "HARRY DIDJA PUT YA NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIYAH", and Voldemort's return/Harry's kidnap is mediocre at best. Remember the book when Voldemort hit Harry with Crucio while he was tied up? Well here he just touches his scar. Remember the book where Harry sees Dobby in the kitchens when Hermione brings him down there and Dobby frequently visits Harry cause he never forgot how Harry saved him from the Malfoys? Well Dobby ain't in the movie. Remember Hagrid being a half giant? Glossed over a lot. Remember Crouch being mad and the hospital scene, aka two of the best scenes in the whole series, they're not here either. And this movie has a weird habit of making things up, like when they say a kid went in the department of mysteries and than never came out. They made that up

So yee

[fiction-queen-blog]

(Naruto) Hogwarts AU

A/N: I have lately been re-entering the Harry Potter fandom Genre:Magical, supernatural, comedy, action Main-pairing: Narusasu Chapter list : Chapter 1

Chapter 2  “The Last Uchiha”

Four years ago, during the dark, breezy night. Uchiha Itachi was standing on top of the astronomy tower, looking down upon the district filled with members of the great and mighty Uchiha-clan. He lowered his hood over his face and tightened the grip around his wand. His pale face seemed even fairer under the light of the full moon. His white almost perfectly straight teeth bit down his bottom lip.

He stood there, observing everybody carefully. His red, glowing eyes hidden behind the black hood.

Itachi suddenly disappeared from the top of the tower, leaving nothing behind but a dark cloud of air. He suddenly appeared in the middle of the street, causing a few people to gasp, but chuckle it off once they seemed to recognise the 13- years old boy.

“Itachi, you scared me.”

“Already proficient in teleportation? As to be expected from the heir of the clan-“The man stood still, a smile still spread across his face as it then slowly faded. His hand reached for his throat that was now revealing a deep, bleeding cut. He fell backwards and laid death on the ground.

Nobody seemed to be able to process what happened right away, they looked at the dead man before looking back at Itachi. He was holding, what seemed like an ancient dagger that now covered in the man’s blood.

A woman screamed, some people starter running; other drew their wands out of their pockets to duel Itachi.

Everything was however in vain. It took mere second and all the people once occupying the streets of the Uchiha district were lying lifelessly on the ground.

Itachi didn’t bend an eye to these people. He stepped over one of the death bodies and walked towards the large mansion at the end of the district. His red eyes didn’t look up for a second when he pulled his wand out; a green light appeared and the man that had attempted to attack him from behind was now instantly dead.

Itachi stopped walking in the middle of the street. He stood still for a mere couple of seconds. He suddenly disappeared into black air, and all that followed was the green light that re-appeared from house to house.

His body  emerged right in front of the entrance of the mansion. He walked inside, the big heavy door loudly closing itself behind him. His steps were loud on the floor, echoing through the house. He entered a room.

It was a big room, decorated with gold and silver all over the place. On the hardwood floor, laid an expensive rug and not too far from it was a big fire-place with two single chairs in front of it, both occupied.

“So…” A heavy man’s voice came from the chair on the left. “You have chosen your side in this war”

Itachi didn’t answer. He took his hoody off, revealing his dark long hair tied in a neat ponytail.  Slowly, he approached the fireplace. Now, standing in front of his parents.

Fugaku Uchiha was sitting on the left chair. Wearing his dark green robes. An Uchiha crest on the left side of his attire. His entire being screamed wealthy and powerful, as he was.

Sitting on the right chair was Mikoto Uchiha. His beloved wife; a beautiful talented witch. She wore a dark blue dress with silver linings. On her raven, thick, long hair, she was wearing a silver head chain. Her hand was holding that of her husband’s. She didn’t look at her son at first. Her eyes were fixated on her husband’s hand. I

tachi figured it she looked away purposely. Not being able to bear the sight in front of her. However, he was wrong.

Her black eyes suddenly stared up at his. She titled her head slightly. Mikoto had always been a proud woman, never looking in fear.

“We don’t run away from death, dear” she spoke.

“We greet him like our friend” Itachi softly whispered the rest of the sentence before raising his wand at her.  

“I am sorry it had to come to this, mother” he spoke the words with no emotion whatsoever.

“Darling, look away” She said, not letting go of her husband’s hand. Fugaku respected his wife wishes as he turned his head away, seeing the reflection of green light coming from the all the sparkling surfaces in the room. He felt the grip of his wife’s hand let go and he knew, she was gone.

Fugaku looked up at his son. Itachi’s wand was now pointed at Fugaku.

“You have betrayed your family…” Fugaku said. He didn’t seem as brave as his wife as he wasn’t able to look his son in the eyes. He sat back in his chair, closing his eyes.

“I am sorry, father. I really am,” Itachi whispered, “Avada kedavra” .

a green light came from his wand and hit his father right in the chest.  When Itachi lowered his wand he could see his father’s lifeless hand letting go of that of his death mother’s.

Itachi stood in front of the bodies, his red eyes didn’t seem to want to look away.

“Brother?”

Sasuke, whom was barley eight years old, stood in front of the entrance of the room. Being able to see his mother’s arm hanging lifelessly over the arm rest.

“Sasuke…” Itachi spoke, his scarlet, red eyes didn’t look away from the death bodies.

“Mommy….” Sasuke looked at the hand before feeling a force jerk him towards his brother. His eyes were filled with tears seeing his brother’s wand pointing at him.

“They are dead, Sasuke. Mother and father are dead,” Itachi said coldly, forcing the boy to look at the dead bodies. “They are dead, and they will never come back. They will never be able to talk to you; Sing to you; touch you; Love you. Your parents are gone, Sasuke. Your family is gone!” Itachi shouted the last part. If Sasuke was able to move he would have flinched from the change in volume.

Itachi put his cold hand on his little brother’s shoulder, turning his paralyzed body around and kneeling to his eye-level.

“You want to know what happened?” Itachi whispered. His red eyes, piercing into the dark ones of his brother.  Sasuke couldn’t answer; he couldn’t look away. He was forced to stare at his brother’s magical eyes that allowed him to put his little brother in a world of illusion.

Everything was a combination of red, white and black. He could see his brother standing in the middle of the street, killing everybody Sasuke once knew. From his third cousin to his own parents. He had to witness their deaths at least a thousand times. He was screaming, crying, begging for everything to stop.

He fell through his knees, panting heavily as he woke-up from the illusion. Saliva was dripping from the corner of his mouth as his throat felt numb from all the screaming.

“Why…. Itachi…. Why…” Sasuke didn’t look up at his brother. He felt his brother’s hand grab his hair and pull him up, throwing him like a bag of potatoes across the room.

“Because none of you are worthy of the pure-blood Uchiha name. You are all blood-traitors’ Itachi said, he put his hoody back on before grabbing his wand.

“You are weak, pathetic and unworthy” Itachi pointed his wand to Sasuke, moving closer to his younger brother.

“Especially you,” he spoke, “Crucio.”

A red light appeared from the tip of Itachi’s wand.

Sasuke started screaming and squirming. The pain was so intense, so all-consuming, that he no longer knew where he was... white-hot knives were piercing every inch of his skin, his body was surely going to burst with pain; he was screaming more loudly than he'd ever screamed in his life.

“You are weak; weak and foolish, Sasuke. I am ashamed to even be associated with you. Your magical ability has always been weaker than mine, weaker than any Uchiha, any wizard I have seen. You are an abomination of the entire wizarding world, Sasuke.”

Itachi lowered his wand, finally causing the pain to stop.

“Oh…Foolish little brother.”

He kneeled and grabbed his brother by his shoulder, forcing him to roll on his back. It seemed like he was no longer talking to the joy-full younger brother he knew. It felt like nothing but an empty lump of flesh.  Sasuke’s dark, now hollow, eyes stared at Itachi.

“Pathetic” Itachi stood up.

“I am not going to kill you… You are not worthy of such release. Live your pathetic live. Hate me. Hate me and know…You will never be able to defeat me.”  

With those words, Itachi kicked his brother on the side of the head, knocking him out completely.

 Oxoxox

 A small red car was taking the first exit out of the high-way. Obito was looking from the road to the wizard next to him. His grey hair was messy, and his hands were on the window as he eagerly looked outside. He almost resembled a dog enjoying a car ride.

“It is magic,” Kakashi stated as he turned his head to Obito.

“It is an engine” Obito said, rather annoyed. “What do you guys do for transportation? Broomsticks?” He joked.

“Yah” Kakashi said seriously, “that reminds me, you will need to get a broomstick too”

“I thought it was on the list as some kind of joke…Or to clean your dorm or something” Obito looked at the rear-view mirror, seeing Sasuke staring right in front of him. He seemed to be deep in thoughts, but it didn’t come as a surprise after hearing what had happened four years ago.

Even Obito still felt rather shocked after hearing the story of the massacre, not to mention the culprit was Sasuke’s brother that was still walking around freely.

“So…Shouldn’t it be easy for you wizards to catch criminals?” Obito asked.

“The problem is…That the criminals have magic too” Kakashi said, pointing at a pub. “There”.

“You brought us to a pub?” A vein popped in Obito’s head as he turned his head to Kakashi.  “He is eleven!” Obito hissed.

“They have butterbeer!” Kakashi, suddenly disappeared in thin air, causing Obito’s attempt to smack him to fail. He reappeared next to Sasuke in the back seat.

“Also, behind the shop is the entrance Diagon Alley. The only place we're going to get all this.”  He indicated to the list.

Sasuke looked at Obito from the mirror, seeing him sigh exhaustedly before getting out of the car. Sasuke followed his example and got out, holding the door open for Kakashi who didn’t seem to be able to open the door from the other side.

“Fascinating…” Kakashi whispered, seeing Sasuke close the door.

“So, we have to go in the pub? This magical shopping centre is behind this pub? This regular pub” Obito raised an eyebrow as he entered the building, seeing all these people wearing robes and pointed hats.  

“What did you say?” Kakashi past Obito.

“I feel like I am the odd one out…” Obito muttered, putting a hand on Sasuke back, guiding the kid forward.

“Hey, I think you are being very cool about all of this.” Sasuke looked at Obito, causing him to smile.  “This couldn’t be easy for you.”

“Nothing in life is…Remember that” Obito said, looking around the pub.

“Hatake, fire whiskey as usual?” the bartender asked, seeing the masked man.

“Heavy drinker, aren’t you?” Obito commented.

“You would be too if your day consisted of teaching magic to brats” Kakashi said, shaking his head to the bar tender.

“Nah, I got to get this kid ready for school” Kakashi said.

“Since when were you demoted?” The bar tended mocked as he leaned against the bar table. He was now able to see the boy behind Kakashi.

His leaned in, to get a better look. His eyes widened.

“That is an Uchiha” He said, causing suddenly the entire bar to quiet down.

“You called the last two kids that entered this pub an Uchiha too” A woman pushed the man away and stood now in his place, looking down at Sasuke.

Her expression suddenly changed, and she straightened her back, not saying anything as she turned away.

“Obito…”  Sasuke grabbed his guardian’s hand, squeezing it tightly.

“Boy, you will get a lot of this. Better get used to it” Kakashi said, walking to the back.

“That was un-called for,” Obito commented. “He is just a child.”

“I slayed dragons when I was your age” Kakashi said.  “Your brother literally slayed your clan and he was around your-“

Kakashi fell towards the trashcan after getting kicked by Obito.

“You better watch it!” Obito hissed, clenching a fist. “He. Is. Just. A. Child!”

“You are getting hotter by the minute” Kakashi muttered as he got up, feeling his back ache from the fall.

“What?” Both Obito and Sasuke asked, not sure if they heard Kakashi wrong or if they just didn’t want to hear him.

“Whatever!” Kakashi grabbed his wand and ticked at the brick wall, causing the wall to separate and reveal a shopping allay filled with witches and wizards.

“Come, come. We have a lot to do,” he said. Indicating for them to follow.

“I think my rude and not so kid friendly teacher has a crush on you…” Sasuke whispered.

“I so hope you have better teachers and this is just the odd one out,” Obito answered.

They followed Kakashi but couldn’t help to look amazed around them. All these shops, all these wizards. Some were young and walked with their parents, doing their school-shopping.  Obito stopped in front of a shop selling robes. He looked down at the price tag and then back to Sasuke.

“What is a galleon?” He asked.

“I was going to ask you what a sickle was,” Sasuke said, looking at Obito.

“You are telling me they are using a different currency?! Couldn’t that shit-head tell us before we came all the way here?”

“Who are you calling a shit-head?” Kakashi suddenly appeared between Obito and Sasuke, straddling both Uchihas.

“Stop. Doing. That!”  Obito hissed annoyed.

“We are heading to the wizarding bank. You won’t even  be needing to exchange any money-“

“How does that even work-“

“Wow, muggle, let me finish for once. Do you always let people hanging mid-way and never let them finish? I am really re-thinking my crush here.”

“Come again?” Obito cocked his head, frowning.

“Believe me I want to cum again” Kakashi muttered before he turned his head to Sasuke, “You don’t think your parents have left you with nothing? The Uchihas were a very powerful and rich clan, and you are the only heir left from the clan.”

“What about my brother?” Sasuke asked.

“You do know how to make an adult uncomfortable” Kakashi said, “I don’t know. I don’t think he is able to just walk in a bank since he is a highly wanted criminal”

“At least muggles catch their criminals” Obito commented.

Kakashi opened his mouth to say something, but then just shook his head.

“Whatever” he said, grabbing both Obito and Sasuke. “Hold on tight”

In a blink of the eye, they were inside Gringotts, the wizarding bank.

“What are those?” Obito accidently took a step closer to Kakashi, which Kakashi only took too well, wrapping his arm around Obito.

“Those are goblins. They have beauty in the inside” He said, causing Obito to hit his elbow right in Kakashi’s ribs.

“You are one feisty muggle” Kakashi moaned in pain as he approached one of the goblins that did not look happy at all. He looked mean and angry. His teeth were sharp and small.

Sasuke swallowed, moving closer to Obito.

“Sasuke Uchiha would like to make a withdrawal” Kakashi said, grabbing a key from his pocket and sliding is smoothly in front of the goblin.

The goblin however remained looking grumpy.

“There is also no beauty in the inside” Kakashi joked as he turned his head to Obito and Sasuke.

After travelling a long path in underground railway. They reached the fault. The goblin opened the door and allowed the three men to walk inside.

“Why am I thinking of a Donald Duck comic, where that one duck dives in gold?” Obito said. Everywhere he looked he could see something shine. Stacks of gold was laid everywhere, covering almost the entire ground.

“Some re-assurance that this will probably cover wizarding college” Obito joked, looking at Kakash who gave him a confused look before just ignoring the comment.

Oxoxoxox

“So, all we need is…A pet…Your books…A robe.” Obito read from the list as they took a break from all the shopping. Sasuke was drinking some pumpkin juice while Obito and Kakashi were having some tea.

“We could go to the robe store next?  How long would it take to find you some robes?” Obito asked, looking at the list.

“Uuuggghhh” Kakashi complained, causing both Obito and Sasuke to look at him.

“That will take forever. They make the robes by size-“

“He is 150cm and weights like 40 kgs. How long does it take to put a cloak around him?” Obito said sarcastically.

“If we go ahead and get the books and pet while he is getting his robes made. We can be finished by 5,” Kakashi suggested.

“Uhm…I don’t like to admit it…But he is right” Obito said, looking at Sasuke. “Will you be fine if we drop you off by….” Obito looked at Kakashi.

“Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions” Kakashi said. “Nice lady.”

“Sure, I will be fine,” Sasuke agreed.

“Then we will meet here?” Kakashi suggested, finishing his tea.

“Sure,” Sasuke said. How hard could it be to memorize the way?

“Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasion’s, is nearby” Kakashi got up and headed towards the store. It is down the street, the first corner on your right.

“That’s it?” Sasuke said, seeing the shop already.

“Yes, just ask for the school uniform. You will be fine” Kakashi said.

“I know” Sasuke muttered, going to the shop.

It didn’t take as long as Sasuke had expected. In less than half an hour he stood outside the shop, looking at both side of the streets.

“Down the street, first corner on your right...” Sasuke repeated. He could hear Kakashi’s voice repeating himself in his head. Only when he followed the instructions he remembered a vital part of the directions. That was towards the store…not away from it.

“Owh chips” Sasuke said out loud as he quickly turned around, but almost walked right into another wizard.

“I’m sorry” Sasuke said. He tried to walk past the man, but the man grab him by his arm.

“Hey, wait a second”

Sasuke tried to pull away, using all his weight to get the man to let go of his arm.

“You…Midnight black hair, onyx eyes, fair skin…You are an Uchiha!” The man exclaimed, causing everybody around them to stop whatever they were doing and to just stare at Sasuke.

“Get. Your hands. Off me” Sasuke gritted his teeth, his bag with his robes fell on the ground.

The man didn’t listen. He just stood there, looking at the dark eyes.

“What is happening here?” A gentle, but rather cold voice spoke from the crowd.

The man finally let go, almost immediately even once he heard the voice that seemed to have startled him.

“Nothing! Nothing at all!” The man said, smiling kindly to the man approaching the scene. He did not seem out of the ordinary…For the wizard standards at least.

He was wearing a blue robe and unlike some wizards, he did not wear a hat. He had blond hair and narrow blue eyes and a strong jawline.  He was a tall man, but rather slim.

All Sasuke could think of that it was not normal to be that level of handsome, that was not normal at all.

“Are you alright?” The man picks up the fallen bag and handed it back to Sasuke. He could Sasuke hesitate at first before carefully taking the bag.

“Nothing to see here. Continue your shopping” The man said, feeling everybody’s eyes still on the boy.

They seem to obey him right away, it made Sasuke wonder if people respected this man or feared him?

“Are you here alone?”  He asked kindly. The coldness I his voice seemed to be gone.

It seemed like a foolish question to ask.

Sasuke looked away, stubbornly.  Not wanting to talk to man.

“Sasuke!” Obito ran towards the boy, “We were looking all over for you”

“How could you mess up such simple instructions? “Kakashi shook his head.

“No wizard college for you, young man” he added sarcastically.

“Ah I see, you have met Minato Namikaze” Kakashi said, looking at Minato and shaking his hand.

“Long time no see, Hatake” Minato said with a smile on his face.

“Shopping for your son? I am surprised he was even allowed to return to Hogwarts after everything” Kakashi joked.

“Yeah, he takes after my wife in that matter” Minato looked embarrassed as he scratched the back of his head.

“This is Sasuke Uchiha. He will be joining Hogwarts this year.” Kakashi introduced Sasuke.

“Nice meeting you, Sasuke” Minato said.

“And this is his legal guardian, Obito. I know he is a muggle, but this muggle you should fear. He shot me in the arm, gave me a concussion, kicked me in the guts, gave me back pain and is going to be my future husband”

“What?”

“What?”

“What?”

Kakashi looked at all three, giving him a questionable look.

“W..What…” He tried to mislead them.

“Nice to meet you, Obito” Minato shook Obito’s hand firmly. “I know how overwhelming this all can be.”

“Really, you do?” Obito scratched the back of his head.

“Yes, I came from a mug-…A not magical family,” Minato explained. “I remember how overwhelming this world has been to my parents…And to me.” He looked at Sasuke.

“You will get used to it, believe me…I did.” Minato winked at Sasuke who felt his cheeks heat up.

The sound of a bomb exploding was heard, followed by some hard laughter. Minato turned his head around and he seemed embarrassed for a moment.

“Your son?” Kakashi asked.

“I am afraid it is my wife…” Minato said. Another explosion sound was heard, leaving a lot of wizards and witches shocked.

“Oh dear…” Minato ran to the direction where the sound came from.

“Head of the aurors, everybody” Kakashi slow clapped.

“Hey, what is that?” Sasuke looked excited at the cage Obito was carrying.

Obito smiled and showing the animal inside it to Sasuke.

“It I your pet.”

“It is a hawk!” Sasuke looked amazed at the hawk.

“And allowed on the list…. We figured a rat would die in your hands, and birds can deliver mail…Hawks are fast. We figured you would like to write a lot to Obito” Kakashi said.

“I love it!” Sasuke seemed very excited.

Read Chapter 3

[fanficfanfic]

ハリー・ポッターと合理主義の方法 113章「学年末試験」

Harry Potter and Methods of Rationality

ハリー・ポッターと合理主義の方法

Chapter 113: Final Exam

113章「学年末試験」

The gibbous moon riding higher in the cloudless sky, the stars and wash of the Milky Way visible in all their majesty within the darkness: All these illuminated thirty-seven skull masks gleaming above black robes, and the darker-clad Lord Voldemort, whose eyes shone red.

ふくらんだ月が雲のない空に高くのぼり、暗闇を背景に星と雄大な〈天の川〉の流れがくっきりと見えている。光に照らしだされた三十七の骸骨の仮面と黒ローブ。いっそう黒い服のヴォルデモート卿とその赤く光る目。

\"Welcome, my Death Eaters,\" spoke Lord Voldemort\'s voice, smooth and high and terrible. \"No, do not look at me, you fools! Eyes upon the Potter child! Ten years, it has been, ten years since we last met. Yet you answer my call as though it were yesterday...\" The Dark Lord Voldemort came near to one hooded figure, tapped fingers upon the mask. \"In a hastily Transfigured mockery of a Death Eater\'s true armor, with a childish Charm to distort your voice. Explain, Mr. Honor.\"

「よく来た、〈死食い人〉たちよ。」とヴォルデモート卿が高くまがまがしい声で語る。 「待て、こちらを見るなと言っただろう、愚か者！ ポッターから目を離すな！ 十年。前回の会合から数えて十年ぶりだ。 しかしおまえたちはまるでそれが昨日のことであったかのように、こうやって……」 　〈闇の王〉ヴォルデモートはフードすがたの一人に近づき、その仮面をトンと指でたたいた。 「この〈転成術〉で急造したできそこないの〈死食い人〉装備に、その子どもじみた魔法で加工した声はどういうことだ。説明せよ、〈ミスター・オナー〉。」

\"Our old masks and robes...\" said the robe whose mask the Dark Lord had tapped. Even through the distorting timbre of the mask, the fear in it was audible. \"We... we were not fighting in them, Master, with you gone... so I did not maintain their enchantments... and then you summoned me to appear here, masked, and I... I always held faith in you, Master, but I did not know you would return this very day... I am truly sorry to have displeased you...\"

「かつての仮面とローブは……」とその死食い人が話しはじめる。 仮面を通じて声が変化しているが、それでも恐怖の感情が聞きとれる。 「仮面とローブは……閣下がお隠れになって以来、着用しなくなって久しく……そのため、魔法を維持することもやめてしまい……そこにこの、仮面ありで参集せよとのご命令で……も……もちろんわたしは閣下を信じておりましたが、それが今日この日であるとは思いもかけず…… ご不快の段、まことに申し訳ございません……」

\"Enough.\" The Dark Lord moved on to stand behind another figure, that seemed to tremble, though it kept its mask facing the Boy-Who-Lived, and its wand held level. \"I might think more kindly of such neglect, if you had pursued my agenda by other means... Mr. Counsel. Yet I return to find - what? A country conquered in my name?\" The high voice climbed higher. \"No! I find you playing ordinary politics in the Wizengamot! I find your brothers still abandoned in Azkaban! It is a disappointment to me... I confess myself disappointed... You thought I was gone, the Dark Mark dead, and you forsook my purpose. Is that right, Mr. Counsel?\"

「もうよい。」 　〈闇の王〉はそこを通りすぎ、うしろにいるもう一人のそばに��く。その一人は震えたようではあるものの、仮面は〈死ななかった男の子〉にむけたままで、杖もおろしていない。 「怠慢にもほどがある。それも、別の手段でわたしの意思を体現すべく働いてくれていたならともかく……〈ミスター・カウンセル〉。 こうやって帰ってきてみれば——なんだ、このありさまは？ わたしの名代として全土を支配しているかと思えば。」 　高い声が一段と高くなる。 「いいや、おまえたちはただ、ウィゼンガモートで凡庸な政治にあけくれていたにすぎない！ 兄弟姉妹をアズカバンに置き去りにしたままで！ 失望した……まったく失望したと言うほかない……。 わたしが失踪し、〈闇の紋章〉が効力をうしなったのを見て、おまえたちはわたしの目的を追求するのをやめた。 ちがうか、〈ミスター・カウンセル〉。」

\"No, Master!\" cried that masked figure. \"We knew you would return - but, but we could not fight Dumbledore without you -\"

「いいえ！ いずれお戻りになると確信しておりました——ただ……ただ、閣下なしでは、われわれはダンブルドアに太刀打ちすることもできず——」

\"Crucio.\"

「『クルシオ』」

A horrible scream tore out of the mask, piercing the night, it continued for long, long seconds.

悲惨な声が仮面を突きぬけて夜を貫通し、長く止まらなかった。

\"Get up,\" the Dark Lord said to the figure that had collapsed upon the ground. \"Keep your wand on Harry Potter. Do not lie to me again.\"

「起きろ。」と地面に倒れたその一人にむけて〈闇の王〉が言う。 「杖の狙いをハリー・ポッターから外すな。 そして二度とわたしに嘘をつくな。」

\"Yes, Master,\" sobbed the figure, as it pushed itself to its feet.

「はい、閣下。」とその一人が立ちあがろうとしながら泣き声で言った。

Voldemort resumed pacing behind the black-robed figures. \"I suppose you are also wondering what Harry Potter is doing here... Why he is a guest at my rebirthing party.\"

ヴォルデモートはまた黒ローブの人たちの背後を行き来する。 「くわえて、おまえたちはきっと、なんのためにハリー・ポッターがここに、と思っているだろう。 なぜこの少年がわたしの再誕パーティに招かれているのかと。」

\"I know, Master!\" said one of the robes. \"You mean to prove your power by killing him, in front of us all, to leave no doubt as to which of you is stronger! To show how your Killing Curse can slay even this so-called Boy-Who-Lived!\"

「そういうことでしたか！」とローブすがたの一人が言う。 「われわれの目のまえで彼を殺すことで、二人の��ちらが強者であるかを疑いの余地なく証明するためでしょう！ あなたさまの〈死の呪い〉は〈死ななかった男の子〉と言われるこの少年をも殺すことができるのだと！」

There was a pause. None of the cloaked figures dared to speak.

沈黙。マントを着た人たちはだれも声をだそうとしない。

Slowly, the Dark Lord Voldemort, in his high-collared shirt and dark robes, turned to face the Death Eater who had spoken.

えりの高いシャツと黒いローブを着た〈闇の王〉ヴォルデモートがゆっくりと向きをかえ、直前に声を発した〈死食い人〉に対面する。

\"That,\" whispered Voldemort in a voice chill as death, \"is a little too much folly for me to credit, Mr. Sallow. You heard that theory of how I died, and tried to provoke me into repeating a mistake?\" Lord Voldemort was floating, rising high off the ground. \"I suppose you came to prefer your laziness to my mastery, Macnair? \"

「ほう……」とぞっとするほど冷たい声でヴォルデモートがささやく。 「わたしがそこまでの間抜け者だと思うか、〈ミスター・サロウ〉。 さしづめ、なにがわたしの死んだ理由とされているかを知って、わたしを挑発して、またおなじ目にあわせようと？」 　ヴォルデモート卿は地面を離れ、空中にいる。 「もうわたしを支配者にする苦労はしたくないということだな？ マクネア。」

The Death Eater who\'d spoken was suddenly surrounded by a blue haze. He spun, slashed his wand at the Dark Lord, and cried \"Avada Kedavra! \"

相手の〈死食い人〉のまわりに急に青色の煙ができた。 その男はくるりと回転して杖を〈闇の王〉にむけて振り、「アヴァダ・ケダヴラ！」と叫んだ。

Voldemort simply tilted to one side in midair, dodging the green bolt.

ヴォルデモートは空中で軽く身をかたむけ、緑色の光線をよけた。

\"Avada Kedavra! \" cried the Death Eater. His hand that didn\'t hold a wand was making other gestures, further colors and layers building up in his shielding haze with each gesture completed. \"Help me, my brothers! If we all -\"

「アヴァダ・ケダヴラ！」とその〈死食い人〉がまた叫んだ。 杖をもっていないほうの手が別の動きをして、印がひとつ組まれるごとに、煙の防壁に別の色の層がかさなっていく。 「みんな、加勢してくれ！ 全員でやれば——」

The Death Eater fell in seven flaming pieces to the ground, chunks of flesh with the cauterized edges still glowing.

その〈死食い人〉は燃えて七つの肉の断片となって地面に落ちた。肉の焼けた断面が燃えて光っている。

\"Eyes and wands on Harry Potter, all of you,\" Voldemort repeated, his voice low and dangerous. \"And Macnair acted in sheer stupidity just then, for I command your Marks, as I always shall. I am immortal.\"

「みなの者、ハリー・ポッターから目と杖を離すな。」 　ヴォルデモートが低い声でまたくりかえす。 「マクネアはこのとおり救いようがなく愚かなことをした。おまえたちの〈紋章〉はわたしが支配している。この支配はいつまでもつづく。 あらためて言う。わたしは不死なのだ。」

\"Master,\" said another robe. \"The girl upon the altar - is she to serve us for a Dark Revel? She seems unworthy of such a joyous occasion. I could find better, Master, if you give me leave for just a short time -\"

「閣下。」と別の〈死食い人〉が言う。 「祭壇の上の娘——この娘が〈闇の饗宴〉に奉仕するのですか？ 晴れやかな席に似つかわしくない素材ではないかと。 すこしお時間をいただければ、わたしめがもっと上物を調達いたしましょう——」

\"No, Mr. Friendly,\" said Voldemort, sounding rather amused. \"The little witch you see upon the altar is none other than Hermione Granger -\"

「いや、〈ミスター・フレンドリー〉。」 　ヴォルデモートはやけに楽しげな調子で言う。 「祭壇の上においてあるその子は、ほかでもないハーマイオニー・グレンジャーなのだ——」

\"What?\" cried one of the black robes, and then, \"I\'m sorry, Master, I\'m sorry, I beg your -\"

「は？」と黒ローブの別の一人が声をもらし、つづけて、「閣下、申し訳ありません、どうかお許し——」

\"Crucio.\" This screaming only lasted a few seconds, and Voldemort had performed it as though it were perfunctory. Afterward Voldemort\'s voice returned to low amusement. \"I have resurrected this mudblood through the Darkest of magics, for my own purposes. You shall not offer her the slightest trouble, any of you. You are better off dead than if I learn my little experiment came to harm at your hands. This order is absolute, regardless of other circumstances - even if she escapes, let us say.\" A cold high laugh, as if at some joke that nobody else understood.

「『クルシオ』」 　そのあとの悲鳴は数秒で終わった。ヴォルデモートはほとんど形式的にそうしただけのようだった。 その後、ヴォルデモートは暗く楽しげな声でまた話す。 「わたしは〈暗黒〉無比の魔術により、わたしの目的のために、この|泥血《マッドブラッド》を復活させた。 おまえたちにはこの少女にどんな小さな手だしをすることも禁じる。 おまえたちが原因でわたしのこの小実験に支障が出たとなれば、死よりおぞましい報いがあると思え。 これは状況の如何を問わない、絶対の命令だ——たとえば、仮にこの少女が逃亡しようとも。」 　ほかのだれも理解しなかった冗談��笑うような、冷たく甲高い笑い声。

\"Master,\" one of the robes said in a faltering voice distorted by his skull mask. \"Master, please - I would never defy you, I am obedient as you see - but Master, I beg you, let me return, the better to serve you later - I came here in haste, forsaking - Master, with so many of us being gone, others will wonder, they will mark the absences, who has disappeared. Soon there shall be no alibi I can offer.\"

「閣下……」と黒ローブの一人がとぎれとぎれに、骸骨の仮面で変調した声で言う。 「閣下、どうか——口答えをするつもりはないのです、このとおりわたしはあなたさまのしもべです—— しかし閣下、わたしが後日、よりよく御奉仕できるよう、どうか一度、帰らせていただけませんか—— わたしは取るものも取りあえず参上したしだいで—— これだけの数の仲間が一斉にいなくなれば、疑われ、感づかれます。 いずれわたしが用意できるアリバイも底をつきます。」

A cold high laugh. \"Ah, Mr. White, the most delinquent of my servants. I have not yet decided if you will survive your punishment. I have less need of you than I once did, Mr. White. In two days\' time the Death Eaters shall walk openly. My powers have increased, and I have just this day disposed of Dumbledore.\" More gasps of shock arose from the Death Eaters, Voldemort paid them no heed. \"Tomorrow I shall slay Bones, Crouch, Moody, and Scrimgeour, if they have not fled. The rest of you shall go into the Ministry and the Wizengamot, and cast Imperius Curses as I direct you. We are finished waiting. By tomorrow\'s nightfall I shall have declared myself Lord Ruler of Britain!\"

冷たく甲高い笑い声。 「ああ、さすが〈ミスター・ホワイト〉、おまえはだれよりも不真面目な部下だったな。 おまえへの罰を死なない程度にとどめるかどうかはこれから決める。 わたしはおまえを以前ほど必要としていない。 いまから二日のうちに〈死食い人〉は表舞台に出る。 わたしは以前より強くなっている。ついさっきダンブルドアを処分したところでもある。」 　〈死食い人〉たちから唖然として息をのむ音が聞こえたが、ヴォルデモートは意に介さない。 「明日にはボーンズとクラウチとムーディとスクリムジョールを殺す。それまでにやつらが逃げだしていなければ。 おまえたちは〈魔法省〉とウィゼンガモートの乗りこみ、わたしの指示するとおりに〈服従の呪い〉をつかう。 潜伏のときは終わった。 明日の日暮れどきまでにわたしはブリテンを統治する王を名のる！」

Intakes of breath rose from the gathered masks, but one figure was laughing.

仮面たちがそろって息をすうが、一人だけ笑っている人がいる。

\"You find me amusing, Mr. Grim?\"

「〈ミスター・グリム���。これのどこがおかしい？」

\"Apologies, Master,\" said the robed figure who had laughed, his wand perfectly level upon where Harry stood. \"I was glad to hear you had dispatched Dumbledore. I fled from Britain in cowardly fear of him, having lost faith in your return.\"

「失礼しました。」 　笑った一人はそう言いながら、ハリーの方向に杖をまっすぐ向けている。 「閣下がダンブルドアを始末されたと聞いて、うれしくなったもので。 わたしは閣下のお帰りがもうないものと思い、やつを恐れて国外に逃亡しておりました。」

Voldemort\'s chuckle resounded within the graveyard. \"Your candor earns you my mercy, Mr. Grim. I was surprised to see you here tonight; you are more competent than I suspected. But before we turn our attention to happier matters, there is a certain affair to which we must attend. Tell me, Mr. Grim, if the Boy-Who-Lived swore an oath to you, might you trust him?\"

ヴォルデモートが呵々と笑う声が墓地に響く。 「その率直さに免じて今回は見のがしてやる。 おまえが今夜ここに来るとは意外だった。 わたしはおまえの能力をみくびっていたようだ。 しかし、楽しい話題に移るまえに、対処しておかねばならないものごとがある。 〈ミスター・グリム〉、もし〈死ななかった男の子〉がおまえになにかを誓ったなら、おまえがそのことばを信頼する可能性はあるか？」

\"Master... I don\'t understand...\" said Mr. Grim. One or two of the other Death Eaters turned their masks toward Voldemort before quickly fixing the skull gaze on Harry.

「閣下……それはどういう……」と〈ミスター・グリム〉が言った。 もう二、三人の〈死食い人〉が一度仮面をヴォルデモートに向けたが、すぐにハリーの監視にもどった。

\"Answer me,\" Voldemort hissed. \"This is not a trick, Mr. Grim, and you will answer truthfully or bear the consequences. You knew the boy\'s forebears, did you not? Knew them for straightforward folk? If the boy freely chose to swear to you an oath, even knowing you for a Death Eater, might you trust in his words? Answer me!\" Voldemort\'s voice rose to a shriek.

「答えるのだ。 〈ミスター・グリム〉、これは罠ではない。ありのままに答えろ。さもなくばそれなりの報いがあると覚悟しろ。 おまえはこの少年の両親とつきあいがあったはずだ。 その二人は誠実な人間だと思えたか？ この少年が自分の自由意思で、おまえが〈死食い人〉であることも承知のうえで、おまえになにかを誓ったとしたら、おまえはそのことばを信じるか？ 答えろ！」 　ヴォルデモートはひどく高い声でそう言った。

\"I... yes, Master, I suppose I might...\"

「それは……はい、閣下、一応その可能性はありますが……」

\"Good,\" Voldemort said coldly. \"The potential for trust must exist, to be sacrificed. And for the bonder of the Unbreakable Vow... which of you shall sacrifice their magic? It shall be quite the long Vow... much longer than usual... much magic shall be required for that...\" Voldemort smiled his awful smile. \"Mr. White shall do.\"

「よし。 信頼の可能性��あってはじめてそれを犠牲にささげることができる。 この〈不破の誓い〉の結び手となるのは……だれに魔法力をささげてもらおうか。 これはかなり長い〈誓い〉になる……通常よりはるかに長く……多くの魔法力が必要となる……」 　ヴォルデモートはまたいやらしい笑みをした。 「〈ミスター・ホワイト〉としよう。」

\"No, please! Master, I beg you! I served you better than any - as best I could -\"

「どうか、それだけは！ 閣下、御慈悲を！ わたしはだれよりもよく働き——誠心誠意でおつかえしたではありませんか——」

\"Crucio,\" said Voldemort, and Mr. White screamed through his mask\'s distortion for what seemed like a full minute. \"Be grateful if I leave you your life! Now approach the boy, Mr. Grim, Mr. White. From behind him, idiot! You must not block the others\' wands! And the rest of you, you must fire if Harry Potter tries to run, even if it means striking at your fellow Death Eaters.\"

「『クルシオ』」とヴォルデモートが言うと、〈ミスター・ホワイト〉は仮面で変調させた声でゆうに一分ちかく叫びつづけた。 「気がむけば命は助け���。それだけでもありがたいと思え！ 〈ミスター・グリム〉と〈ミスター・ホワイト〉、少年に近づけ。 うしろからだ、愚か者！ 味方の杖の邪魔だ！ ほかの者は、ハリー・ポッターが逃げようとしたらかならず撃て。味方に当たるからといって躊躇するな。」

Mr. White took time to approach, the black robes seeming to shake, even as Mr. Grim moved smoothly into position.

〈ミスター・グリム〉はすみやかに位置につくが、〈ミスター・ホワイト〉はゆっくりと近づいていく。黒ローブが震えているように見える。

\"What is to be the Vow, Master?\" came the voice of Mr. Grim.

「それで、どんな〈誓い〉でしょうか。」と〈ミスター・グリム〉の声がした。

\"Ah, yes,\" Voldemort said. The Dark Lord went on pacing behind the semicircle of Death Eaters. \"Today - though I hardly expect even you to believe me - today we are doing Merlin\'s work, my Death Eaters. Yes! Before us stands a great danger, who in his blundering folly has been prophesied to wreak destruction such as even I can scarcely imagine. The Boy-Who-Lived! The boy who frightens Dementors! The cattle who believe they own this world should have been more worried when they saw that. Useless, all of them!\"

「うむ。」 　ヴォルデモートはそう言って〈死食い人〉の半円のうしろを行き来する。 「これから——おまえたちにもそう簡単には信じないだろうが——これからわれわれは、世のためになることをする。 そう、ここにいるこの少年は大きな脅威なのだ。予言によれば、この少年はあまりの愚かさのために、このわたしの想像を絶するほどの破壊を起こすという。 〈死ななかった男の子〉！ ディメンターを怖がらせる少年！ 自分たちが世界を動かしていると思いこむ家畜どもは、そんなものを目にした時点で、もっと憂慮しているべきだった。 あの役立たずどもが！」

\"Forgive me -\" said one black robe in a halting voice. \"Master - surely, if that is so - Master, why don\'t we just kill him right away?\"

「失礼ながら——」と、黒ローブの一人がおずおずと言う。 「閣下——もしそれが事実であれば——その、ただあっさり殺してしまえばいいのでは？」

Voldemort laughed, a strange bitter laugh. When he spoke on his high voice was precise. \"Here is the oath\'s intent, Mr. Grim, Mr. White, Harry Potter. Listen well and comprehend the Vow that must be sworn, for its intent is also binding, and you three must share an understanding of its meaning. You will swear, Harry Potter, not to destroy the world, to take no risks when it comes to not destroying the world. This Vow may not force you into any positive action, on account of that, this Vow does not force your hand to any stupidity. Do you understand that, Mr. Grim, Mr. White? We are dealing with a prophecy of destruction. A prophecy! They can fulfill themselves in twisted ways. We must be cautious that this Vow itself does not bring that prophecy about. We dare not let this Vow force Harry Potter to stand idly after some disaster is already set in motion by his hand, because he must take some lesser risk if he tries to stop it. Nor must the Vow force him to choose a risk of truly vast destruction, over a certainty of lesser destruction. But all Harry Potter\'s foolishness,\" Voldemort\'s voice climbed, \"all his recklessness, all his grandiose schemes and good intentions - he shall not risk them leading to disaster! He shall not gamble with the Earth\'s fate! No researches that might lead to catastrophe! No unbinding of seals, no opening of gates!\" Voldemort\'s voice lowered again. \"Unless this very Vow itself is somehow leading into the destruction of the world, in which case, Harry Potter, you must ignore it in that particular regard. You will not trust yourself alone in making such a determination, you must confide honestly and fully in your trusted friend, and see if that one agrees. Such is this Vow\'s meaning and intent. It forces only such acts as Harry Potter might choose himself, having learned that he is a prophesied instrument of destruction. For the capacity for choice must also exist, to be sacrificed. Do you understand, Mr. White?\"

ヴォルデモートは奇妙に苦にがしい笑いかたをした。 また話しはじめるときには、はっきりとした発声に変わる。 「〈ミスター・グリム〉、〈ミスター・ホワイト〉、ハリー・ポッター、わたしはいまからこの誓約の目的を言う。よく聞け。そしてなぜこの〈誓い〉がなされねばならないかを理解せよ。目的にも拘束力はあり、おまえたち三人はその意味について共通の理解をもっていなければならない。 ハリー・ポッター、おまえは世界を壊滅させないという目的のもと、世界の壊滅につながりかねないいかなるリスクもとらないと誓え。 この〈誓い〉はおまえにどんな種類の積極的な行動をとることを強制するものであってはならない。そのため、この〈誓い〉はおまえがいかなる愚行に手を貸すことも強要しない。 これ��理解できるか？ 〈ミスター・グリム〉、〈ミスター・ホワイト〉。 われわれはとある破壊的な予言を相手にしている。 予言！ 予言とはひどく遠回りをして成就するもの。 この〈誓い〉が問題の予言を成就させることのないよう細心の注意をはらわねばならない。 ハリー・ポッターが自分の手で災厄の引き金を引いたあとになって、その災厄をとめようとすることが別の低級な危機を招きかねないからといって傍観することを〈誓い〉がハリー・ポッターに強制するようなことがあってはならない。 確実に起きる低級な破壊と巨大な破壊の可能性とのあいだで、彼が後者をとるように〈誓い〉が強要することもあってはならない。 ハリー・ポッターがどこまで愚かであろうと……」 　ヴォルデモートの声が大きくなる。 「どこまでむこうみずであろうと、どんな大それた計画と善意とを持っていようと——災厄につながるような選択をさせるわけにはいかない！ 地球の運命を危険にさらさせるわけにはいかない！ 世界の破滅につながりかねない研究をすることも、どんな封印を解除することも、どんな門をひらくことも許してはならない！」 　ヴォルデモートの声が弱まる。 「ただしこの〈誓い〉そのものがなんらかの理由で世界を壊滅させることにつながる場合はそのかぎりではない。ハリー・ポッター、おまえはその場合、その範囲内においてのみ、〈誓い〉を無視しなければならない。 おまえはそのような決断を単独でなしてはならない。その場合、おまえはそのことを親友に正直にうちあけ、親友がおまえの判断に賛成することを確認しなければならない。 これが〈誓い〉の内容と目的だ。 これはハリー・ポッターが自分が破壊の道具であると予言されていることを知った状態で、自分の意思で選択しうる行動をのみ強要する。 選択する可能性があってはじめて、それを犠牲にささげることができる。 理解できたか？ 〈ミスター・ホワイト〉。」

\"I - I think so - oh, Master, please, do not let the Vow be so long -\"

「は——はい、そう思いますが——ああ、閣下、どうか、どうかもうすこし〈誓い〉を短くしていただくわけには——」

\"Silence, fool, you do a more useful thing this day than you have ever done. Mr. Grim?\"

「だまれ、愚か者。これはおまえの人生でもっとも有用な仕事なのだぞ。 〈ミスター・グリム〉はいいな？」

\"I think, Master, that it must be repeated to me.\"

「もう一度内容をくりかえしていただけないかと。」

Voldemort smiled that too-wide smile, and said it all again using different words.

ヴォルデモートはまたにこやかすぎる笑みをして、おなじことを別の表現で一から言いなおした。

\"And now,\" Voldemort said coldly, \"Harry Potter, you will keep your wand low, and permit Mr. Grim to touch his wand to yours; and you will speak such words as I direct you. If Harry Potter speaks any other word, then cut him down, the rest of you.\"

「さて……ハリー・ポッター。おまえはこれから杖を低くかまえ、〈ミスター・グリム〉の杖がおまえの杖に触れるのを待て。それからわたしが指示するとおりの文言を言え。 ほかの者は、ハリー・ポッターがすこしでも指示外のことを言えば、容赦なく撃て。」

\"Yes, Master,\" came the thirty-four-fold chorus.

「はい。」と三十四人ぶんの声がした。

Harry was chilled, and shivering, and not only because he was naked in the night. He didn\'t understand why Voldemort was not just killing him. There seemed to be only a single line leading into the future, and it was Voldemort\'s chosen line, and Harry did not know what came after this.

ハリーは寒けに震える。それは夜に裸で外にいるからだけではない。 ヴォルデモートはなぜ単純にこちらを殺さないのか。 未来にむかう道は一つしかなく、それはヴォルデモートが選んだ道であるらしい。ハリーには、そのさきにどんなできごとがあるのかが見えない。

\"Mr. White,\" said Voldemort. \"Touch your wand to Harry Potter\'s hand, and repeat these words. Magic that flows in me, bind this Vow.\"

「〈ミスター・ホワイト〉。 おまえの杖をハリー・ポッターの手にあてて、こう復唱しろ。 『わたしのなかを流れる魔法力よ、この〈誓い〉を拘束せよ』。」

Mr. White spoke those words. Even through the distortion effect of his mask, it sounded as though his heart were breaking.

〈ミスター・ホワイト〉は復唱した。 仮面で変調した声にもかかわらず、悲嘆がこもっているように聞こえた。

Behind Voldemort the obelisks chanted, a language that Harry did not know; three times they repeated their words, then fell silent.

ヴォルデモートの背後で|方尖柱《オベリスク》たちがハリーの知らない言語で三度おなじ文言を歌って、また沈黙した。

\"Mr. Grim,\" said Voldemort. \"Think of the reasons why you might trust this boy, if he had given this oath freely. Think of that potential for trust, and sacrifice it as you say...\"

「〈ミスター・グリム〉。 仮にこの少年が自由意志で誓約しているのだとしたら、自分がどんな理由でそれを信用する気になるかを考えろ。 信頼する可能性を考えて、それを犠牲にし、同時に……」

\"By my trust that I hold for you,\" said Mr. Grim, \"be you held.\"

「わたしがおまえに託す信と引きかえに、おまえはその言を守れ。」と〈ミスター・グリム〉が復唱した。

And then it was Harry Potter\'s turn to repeat Lord Voldemort\'s words, and Harry did so.

そのつぎはハリー・ポッターがヴォルデモート卿を復唱する番なので、ハリーはそうした。

\"I vow...\" Harry said. His voice shook, but he spoke. \"That I shall not... by any act of mine... destroy the world... I shall take no chances... in not destroying the world... if my hand is forced... I may take the course... of lesser destruction over greater destruction... unless it seems to me that this Vow itself... leads to the world\'s end... and the friend... in whom I have confided honestly... agrees that this is so. By my own free will...\" Harry could feel it, as the rite was invoked, the shining cords of power wrapping around his wand and Mr. Grim\'s wand, wrapping around his hand where Mr. White\'s wand touched it, wrapping around his self on some disturbingly abstract level. Harry could feel himself invoking his power of free choice, and he knew that his next words would sacrifice it, that this was absolutely the last chance to turn back.

「わたしは……みずからのいかなる行為によっても……世界を壊滅させないことを……誓う…… 世界を壊滅させかねない……いかなる試みもしない…… ほかの選択肢がなければ……大きな破壊より小さな破壊にいたる道を……えらぶことも許される…… ただしこの〈誓い〉そのものが……世界の終わりにつながるように見えれば……そしてわたしがこころから信頼する友人が……そのことに同意するのであれば、そのかぎりではない。 わたしの自由な意思と引きかえに……」 　儀式がはじまり、光るエネルギーの糸がハリーの杖と〈ミスター・グリム〉の杖をたどり、二本の杖の接点にとどき��おそろしく抽象的な水準でハリーの自我にまでとどく。 自分が自由な選択をする能力を起動するのが感じられる。つぎに言うことばによってそれを犠牲にするのだろうということ、あともどりするならこれが最後の機会だということが分かる。

\"...so shall it be,\" said the coldly precise voice of Lord Voldemort.

「……『そのようにあれ』。」と冷たく明瞭なヴォルデモート卿の声が言った。

\"...so shall it be,\" Harry repeated, and he knew in that moment that the content of the Vow was no longer something he could decide whether or not to do, it was simply the way in which his body and mind would move. It was not a vow he could break even by sacrificing his life in the process. Like water flowing downhill or a calculator summing numbers, it was just a thing-Harry-Potter-would-do.

「……そのようにあれ。」 　そのことばを発した瞬間に、〈誓い〉の内容が自分の意思で左右できるものではなくなったことが分かる。自分の肉体と精神はそのようにしか動かないということが分かる。 それは自分の命を犠牲にして破ろうとしても破れない誓いであり、 水が上から下に流れるのとおなじように、あるいは計算機が数字を加算するのとおなじように、そう行動するのがハリー・ポッターだということになった。

\"Did the Vow take, Mr. White?\"

「〈ミスター・ホワイト〉、吸いとられる感覚はあったか？」

Mr. White sounded like he was weeping. \"Yes, Master... I have lost so much, please, I have been punished enough.\"

〈ミスター・ホワイト〉はすすり泣くように言う。 「はい、閣下……わたしは十分に多くをなくしました。これ以上の罰はお許しください。」

\"Return to your places...\" said Voldemort. \"Good. All eyes on the Potter child, prepare to fire the instant he tries to flee, or raise his wand, or speak any word...\" The Dark Lord floated high in the air, the black-clad figure overlooking the graveyard. Again he held a gun in his left hand, and his wand in his right. \"Better. Now we shall kill the Boy-Who-Lived.\"

「位置にもどれ……。 よし。 全員、ポッターから目を離すな。逃げようとしたり、杖を持ちあげたり、一言でもしゃべろうとしたりすれば、即座に撃てる体勢をとれ……。」 　黒衣の〈闇の王〉は空中に高くあがり、上から墓地を見おろす。 左手にはまた銃が、右手には杖がある。 「それでいい。 ではわれわれはこれから、〈死ななかった男の子〉を殺す。」

Mr. White staggered. Mr. Grim was laughing again, and so were others.

〈ミスター・ホワイト〉��よろめく。 〈ミスター・グリム〉はまた笑っている。ほかの面々も笑っている。

\"I did not do that to be funny,\" Voldemort said coldly. \"We are dealing with a prophecy, fools. We are snipping the threads of destiny one by one; carefully, carefully, not knowing when we may first encounter resistance. This is the order in which the next acts shall be done. First Harry Potter shall be stunned, then his limbs severed and the wounds cauterized. Mr. Friendly and Mr. Honor will examine him for any trace of unusual magics. One of you shall shoot the boy many times with my Muggle weapon, and then as many of you as can shall strike him with the Killing Curse. Only then will Mr. Grim crush his skull and brains with the mundane substance of a tombstone. I shall verify his corpse, then his corpse shall be burned with Fiendfyre, then we will exorcise the surrounding area in case he has left a ghost. I myself will guard this place until six hours have passed, for I do not fully trust the wards I have set against Time\'s looping; and four of you shall search the surroundings for signs of anything noteworthy. Even after that we must remain vigilant for any sign of Harry Potter\'s renewed presence, in case Dumbledore has left some unimagined trick in play. If you can think of any trick that I have missed in being sure that Harry Potter\'s threat is ended, speak now and I shall reward you handsomely... speak now, in Merlin\'s name!\"

「これは笑えることではない。 相手は予言なのだ、愚か者ども。 われわれは運命の糸を慎重に一本ずつ引きぬいていく。どこで最初の抵抗があるかもしれない。 ここからの手順はこうだ。 第一にハリー・ポッターを失神させる。つぎに手足を切断し、断面を焼灼する。 〈ミスター・フレンドリー〉と〈ミスター・オナー〉がハリー・ポッターに異常な魔法の痕跡がないか調べる。 一人はわたしのマグル式武器でこの少年を何度も撃つ。 つぎにできる者全員で〈死の呪い〉を撃って当てる。 そこまですんでから、〈ミスター・グリム〉が魔法的でない墓石で彼の頭蓋骨と脳を潰す。 わたしが死体を検査してから、〈悪霊の火〉で燃やす。 その後、|幽霊《ゴースト》がのこる場合にそなえて、この一帯を除霊する。 〈時間〉の閉路を防ぐためにわたしがしかけておいた結界にも穴がないとは言い切れない。そのため、その後もう六時間がすぎるまでわたしみずからこの場所を監視する。 そのあいだおまえたちのうち四人がこの周囲を探索し、注目にあたいする兆候がないか調べる。 そののちにも、ハリー・ポッターが再度出現する兆候がないか、注意をおろそかにしてはならない。ダンブルドアがなにか予想外のしかけを残していた場合にそなえて。 ハリー・ポッターの脅威を終わらせることに関して、わたしが考えそこねてい���しかけを思いついた者は、ただちに言え。その者にはたっぷりと褒美をやる……。さあ、言え、マーリンの名にかけて！」

There was stunned silence amid the cemetery; no one made to speak.

全員が絶句し、墓地は静まりかえった。

\"Useless, the lot of you,\" Voldemort said with bitter scorn. \"Now I shall ask Harry Potter one final question, and he is to answer that question for my ears alone, in Parseltongue. Strike the boy down at once if he answers with anything but hisses, if he tries to speak one word of human speech.\" Then Voldemort hissed, \"Power I know not, it wass ssaid that you would have. The Muggle Artss I have now learned of from you, and I am already sstudying them. Your power over life-eaterss musst be comprehended for onesself, or sso you ssay. If there iss any other power you posssesss, that I may come to have, tell me of it now. Elsse, I intend to torment certain of thosse you care for. Ssome livess I have already promissed you, but otherss I did not. Your mudblood sservantss in your little army. Your preciouss parentss. All sshall ssuffer for what will sseem to them like eternitiess; and then I sshall ssend them, broken, into the life-eater prisson to remember it, until they wasste and die. For each unknown power you tell me how to masster, or other ssecret you tell me that I desire to know, you may name one more of thosse to insstead be protected and honored under my reign. Thiss alsso I promisse and intend to keep.\" Voldemort\'s smiling expression now came through as if it were a snake\'s gaping fangs, and the meaning that expression bore among snakes, a promise that whoever beheld the teeth was to be consumed by them. \"Wasste not time in thoughtss of esscape, if you care for thosse oness. You have ssixty ssecondss to begin telling me ssomething I wissh to know, and then your death beginss.\"

「役立たずどもめ。 では、これからわたしはハリー・ポッターに最後の質問をする。回答はわたしの耳にだけ、〈ヘビ語〉で答えさせる。 ヘビの声でないものを口走るのが聞こえたら、一言でも人間言語でしゃべるそぶりがあったら、その瞬間に撃て。 ……ワタシガ 知ラヌ チカラ。オマエハ ソレヲ 持ツト 言ウ。 まぐる 技術ナラ スデニ オマエカラ 知リ、学ンデイル。 命食イニ 対スル オマエノ チカラハ 独力デ 理解セネバ ナラナイ モノダト、オマエハ 言ウ。 他ニ、オマエガ 持ツ チカラデ ワタシガ 持チ 得ル チカラガ アレバ、タダチニ 言エ。 サモナクバ、オマエガ 気ニカケル 人間ノウチ イクラカヲ 苦シメル。 スデニ 救ウト 約束シタ 人間モ アルガ、約束シナカッタ 人間モ アル。 オマエノ 軍ノ 泥血��� 従僕タチ。 オマエノ 大切ナ 父母。 ソノ 全員ニ 永遠ノヨウニ 感ジラレル 苦シミヲ 与エテカラ、命食イノ 牢獄ニ 入レ、ソノ 苦シミヲ 死ヌマデ ズット 思イ出サセル。 オマエガ ヒトツノ チカラノ 習得 方法ヲ 教エル タビ、アルイハ ワタシノ 関心アル 他ノ 秘密ヲ ヒトツ 教エル タビ、オマエハ ワタシノ 統治下デ 厚遇サレル 人間ヲ 一人 多ク 選ブコトガ デキル。」 　ヴォルデモートの笑顔が、牙をむきだしにしたヘビのように見える。同時にそれがヘビにとって『この牙を見た者はみなこの牙の餌食になる』ということを約束するしぐさであると分かる。 「ソノ 人間タチヲ 助ケタケレバ、逃亡ヲ 考エテ 時間ヲ 無駄ニ スルナ。 六十秒 待ツ。ソレマデニ ワタシノ 関心アルコトヲ 話シハジメロ。ソノ後 オマエノ 死ガ ハジマル。」

http://www.hpmor.com/chapter/113

原作品の著者：J. K. Rowling ファンフィクションの著者：Eliezer Yudkowsky

[wellpresseddaisy]

I don't really like comparing intelligences, because people express their intelligence in different ways.

That being said, I'm not sure you can actually say that Hermione is considerably smarter than either of those characters. Hermione has a great deal of book-based intelligence and a good grasp of information literacy (later in the series). She's undoubtedly intelligent, but it's a rigid type of intelligence borne out of a near photographic memory. She generally lacks the kind of creativity that would take someone into that genius category. Even as a high-level student she's giving answers regurgitated from her texts, not answers that imply deeper thinking about a topic.

Sirius and Severus both are intelligent and creative, but are not walking encyclopedias. Both experimented in high-level magic as teenagers that required a thorough understanding of the theory (spell creation and the Marauders Map) and the creativity to apply it in a novel way. It's implied that Severus has continued to experiment and grow in his knowledge in Potions. And specializing doesn't mean one isn't highly intelligent. It just means one wishes to put one's energies into a specific subject rather than spread them broadly. Intelligence is more than just pulling up facts and figures.

Dumbledore is an interesting case. He's presented very heavily as...a well-educated gentleman of the Enlightenment period is the closest real-world example I can think of. He's a good deal like an Isaac Newton type than any modern parallel. It's unclear if characters educated at a later date had the same opportunities to study Alchemy and as broad a range of subjects as he did.

I also think that the 'power' to cast the Cruciatas or Avada Kedavra isn't so much raw power as will. Harry is absolutely an incredibly powerful wizard, but he can't cast Crucio the first time he tries because he lacked the absolute conviction to make it work. Avada is a similar spell. You have to want the person you're aiming it at absolutely dead, no room for doubt.

Being smart and being good at magic are not equivalent. Hermione, for example, is considerably smarter than both Snape and Sirius, but is worse at magic than them. While I would argue that there is a positive correlation between intelligence and magical skill, there are more elements involved in being a good wizard than that. Power, to name just one example, seems completely independent of intelligence. Crabbe is an idiot, yet he can cast Avada Kedavra, a powerful curse.