I’ve been re-reading the HP books and I got to Prisoner of Azkaban (be still my beating heart, it is still the best one) and, at Christmas there’s only 12 people around the dinner table. Trelawny comes along and Dumbledore stands up to draw her a chair.
She freaks out, I must not! When 13 people dine together, the first to rise is the first to die!!!!!
Except.
Ron had Scabbers in his pocket.
Which means that there wasn’t 12 people when Trelawny arrived. There was already 13.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again since no-one has yet given me a valid reason as to why James Potter, lacking a wand, didn’t just transform into Prongs when Voldy turned up and like… fucking spear him. Why didn’t he do that? Like I don’t care how astonishingly powerful a dark wizard he was, no-one could ever be prepared for walking into a house and there’s just… a massive fuck off stag staring you down? How could you possibly react to that?
You couldn’t, giving said stag the opportunity to put an antler through his eye and save the day. Not to mention, can you imagine the Prophet headlines if that was how it’d gone down?
VOLDEMORT DEFEATED AT POTTER RESIDENCE DUE TO MYSTERIOUSLY SHAPED STAB WOUNDS
Witnesses say the so-called “Dark Lord” was surprisingly non-intimidating as he lay there full of holes, lacking a nose, and reeking of dog piss. James Potter was witnessed high-fiving best friend Sirius Black while wife Lily kicked the corpse.
THIS JUST IN: VOLDEMORT STAGGED IN THE FUCKING FACE
EXTRA: THE POTTER FAMILY HAVE A MAGNIFICENT GARDEN PARTY AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE WEASLEY FAMILY IS INVITED.
“WE ARE ALL ALIVE AND HAPPY” SAYS SIRIUS BLACK AND FRED WEASLEY
• hogwarts houses: gryffindor • bravery, nerve, chivalry, courage, daring, willful, passionate; you might belong in gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart.
Just like Slughorn, Albus Dumbledore collects people. Only, instead of focusing on those with influence, he looks to the outcasts.
The expelled half-giant. The young werewolf. The repentant Death Eater.
He protects them and gives them a second chance. All he asks in return is their loyalty.
And, if on occasion he requests that they undertake a certain task, invoking their debt of gratitude – well, that is no more than he is owed.
He once thought to add a certain disowned Black to his collection, but quickly realised his mistake.
Sirius is not an outcast, but a rebel. He knowingly chose his path, and chooses what price he is willing to pay for it. He refuses to be used.
So Albus Dumbledore abandons him.
Who gave you the RIGHT?
Dumbledore knows Sirius’s loyalty lies with Harry instead of him, and he has no use for someone who is not willing to follow his orders without question.
Ooooohoo if there’s ever a post that fits my aesthetic…
okay but then where does Harry himself fit into this collection? Is he an outcast because he is “the Boy Who Lived”?
Nooonono, my friend, that’s what makes this post so beautiful. Because it fits the meta I’ve been trying to get people to accept for years.
Harry was an outcast due to a childhood filled with abuse and neglect.
Vernon made him an outcast by dismissing his claims of magic, berating him, locking him in a CLOSET and putting bars on his window, and let’s face it, even though her editor made her cut it out, Jo intended for there to be physical abuse.
Petunia made him an outcast by enabling and contributing to this abuse, as well as making Harry do dozens of chores while doting on Dudley.
Dudley made him an outcast by bullying him and threatening any students at school who wanted to be his friends.
And the rest of the wizarding world made him an outcast when they bullied him for being an outsider.
Harry James Potter became an outcast the moment he was placed with The Dursleys.
And who put him there in the first place?
The life and lies of Albus Dumbledore
Holy shit this post improved even more if that’s possible since last time I’d seen it yes.
persephone's corner 