𝖆𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖊

I am a PASSIONATE commenter on fanfiction, but sometimes it slows down my reading because I don't want to read if I don't have the mental energy to leave the long comments I want to

Still, as an author, I know even a short note can mean the world.

So, I put together a little guide with different “levels” of comments, so it’s easier to leave something without overthinking!

The House of Elrond is it’s own thing. Imladris is entirely unique. You think you see something Noldorin or Sindar or even Mannish, but look for a second more and it’s not like that at all.

Because when Elrond designed it as a Homely House, he made sure anyone who came knew they’d be welcome. They could heal and start over without judgement.

(Ultimately that’s what keeps his relations with other races so strong too. They feel comfortable in this home of many lines.)

There are specifically Dúnedain influences though. He’s fostered so many kids, looked after so many families, he wants to make sure they know that they might have lost their kingdom, but they still have a home. It’s common for Dúnedain to stop by, take refuge, recover, just say hi to friends. But they’re such an unknown people, you can’t see it unless you know it’s there. There’s even a beautiful little graveyard where so many of his distant nephews and nieces have found their rest, visited regularly by the residents of Imladris.

There’s also many many trinkets from across the centuries scattered around. A wonky dagger with a place of honour, the first work of a rising chieftain. The cracked vase from that time it was knocked over by a ball from a young boy. Letters and drawings carefully kept in Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen, and even Celebrian’s drawers. Glorfindel, Erestor, and most residents of Rivendell have at least a few items gifted by the many generations of Dúnedain who’ve walked through the valley.

But today I wouldlike to linger on the comedic aspects of "the Fellowship expected a Balrog to come, but instead First Era Maedhros Feanorian appeared, albeit slightly charred, and now the Fellowship is adding a 10th member to the Fellowship".

For the sake of story I am still gonna say that Gandalf fell down the bridge, because ACTUALLY there was a Balrog.

Anyway the Fellowship minus Gandalf and plus Maedhros waltz in Lothlorien giving Galadriel a whole new range of emotions.

"I WAS EXPECTING GANDALF YOU ALL HAVE BROUGHT BACK A WAR CRIMINAL FROM AN ERA BYGONE AND ALSO MY COUSIN THRICE REMOVED."

Maedhros picking up IMMEDIATELY on the effect that the Ring is having on everyone and having a heart-to-heart with everyone and explaining the whole Silmarillion ordeal.

"Yikes." Everyone nods in agreement to the sentiment epressed by the Hobbits.

As an extra layer Mae asks if they are bound by any oath. "No, Elrond was quite insisting that we would NOT swear ANY oath."

Cue Mae crying.

Somehow Sam clicks immediately with Maedhros and when Frodo leaves the Fellowship Sam is already there all geared up for literal war and with all advice and tips on how to effectively kill orcs.

Somehow Merry and Pippin manage to make Mae smile. Their next mission is to make him laugh.

This reminds him of the Ambarussa. Mae cries again.

Gollum will underestimate that and it will be his doom.

"No Mr.Frodo, Sir Maedhros explained to us very clearly what happens with cursed artifacts, we are leaving Gollum here. Sir Maedhros was so kind, he explained to me everything I need to know."

Boromir lives, because killing Orcs turns out way easier with someone who can instill in them the very fear of the Valar.

Saruman has an incredibly short span.

"Oh? A palantir? My father's invention? Here? Yeah, I am gonna take that."

Somehow everything is a little easier?

Gimli crying because somehow he heard (ancient) Khuzdul from an Elf and now Maedhros has to understand since when Dwarves and Elves do not get along.

The company coming back to Imladris and causing Elrond to break down crying uncontrollably and in a very undignified manner.

"Lindir" hears the cries and when he sees Mae he's crying as well. It is revealed that "Lindir" is actually Maglor.

When the last ship sails for Valinor, the Valar grant M&M to come back due to repentance and various services in aid to destroying the Ring.

Galadriel is still not over the fact that MAEDHROS FEANORIAN was in Lothlorien and she could not even slap him.

At least in Valinor M&M can now hug mama Nerdanel and stay with her. Eventually all brothers will be reimbodied.

Elrond, lying face down: yes

give me sirius deeply conflicted about being in gryffindor and completely shattered that his cousins won’t even look at him in the the great hall 

give me sirius of the Noble and Ancient House of Black proud and stubborn and fighting with james for days and ignoring the little (giant) seed of doubt he feels in his own resolve

give me remus finally snapping and demanding that sirius “stop using that word I don’t care if you come from a shitty family and if you’re trying, you need to try harder”

give me sirius going home for christmas and flinching at the dinner table conversation and not being able to explain why he can’t finish his meal because his stomach is in knots

give me sirius desperately trying to talk to regulus about how “have you ever thought that maybe mum and dad aren’t right about blood status and stuff?” but receiving nothing but confusion and a blank stare from his little brother

give me second year sirius watching the sorting and begging, begging that regulus is put anywhere but slytherin so that maybe he won’t be alone in this sure but steady exile

give me remus and james and peter spending the entire feast trying to distract him from the whooping and back patting amongst his family on the opposite side of the room

give me sirius asking remus about his parents and working really hard to educate himself and being utterly livid with himself when he fucks up

give me sirius speaking up against his parents for the first time at Grimmauld Place and his heart rate picks up and his knees go numb under the table when he finally manages to say “well actually my friend remus is half-blood and he’s really smart!” and the churning mix of shame and anger he feels at his family’s sneers later when he’s trying to sleep

give me sirius desperately trying to talk his family about it, and his growing frustration as he meets wall after wall and his anger just grows and grows 

give me sirius simultaneously so proud and so sad as he watches andromeda’s name burned off the family tree; thinking about how lonely christmas will be without her there

#it's the most wonderful time of the year #time for doctor who christmas specials

Propaganda under cut

The second installment in one one of my favorite subjects when it comes to Harry Potter theories. And this time:

Fidelius Charms, Secret Keepers, and Sirius Black's Trial

So, in my former post in this series, I mentioned I had more to say about the question of why would Dumbledore want Sirius to be arrested and placed in Azkaban? How could I even make this claim that Dumbledore planned Sirius' fall?

Well, here we are, me and my collection of book qutes:

--- 'It is cruel for Dumbledore to have left Harry at the Durleys doorstep all night' ...To wake up the Dursley's in the middle of the night, as the most Magical motherfucker they have ever seen in their lives...? 'They are the worst kind of Muggles', says Minerva -They are more likely to take on Harry if he has nobody else.

Even if you assume Albus to be the most cruel man in existence - it would be sheer stupidity to leave the baby he wanted to grow into a Voldemort-killing soldier without protection. Even just enough to keep him asleep, undetectable and warm. Harry was fine. To muggles it seems cruel, but I am sure there are magical ways of caring for someone who is very small and very stationary. like when a doe leaves their fawn in a little ditch all day. If the old git was cruel for this - what of Minerva…? She must be JUST as ruthless, crying over Lily and James only to leave their baby. Not even staying next to him as a cat to keep him warm. She went and celebrated instead. Maybe consoled Severus a little, who knows. -- Was he selfish for leaving Harry...? ((AKA I TALK ABOUT HOW I SEE DUMBLEDORE AS A CHARACTER LIKE A LOT. HELP ME. I CAN'T SHUT UP.)) ...I think so. I think the excuses of wanting Harry 'not to grow up with a big head' and 'to know what its like to be an outsider' or whatever are mainly covering for his own fears and lack of trust in himself: He became 'the Man' of his 1800's household at 10, almost 11. Left an 8yr old Aberforth at home to look after their doesn't-leave-the-house mother, traumatized little sister and family goats while he studied his ASS off at Hogwarts. What did all that 'eldest son' syndrome get him...? Separation from his family. A big head. Resenting staying home to care for his disabled sister for his brothers education. Escaping the frustration by daydreaming with a Dark Wizard... and getting his sister killed for it. He failed them. In his head (and in Aberforth's words) he failed them... because he was too selfish. He cared about himself more than the other people in his life. He wasn't 'good' enough. He failed at standing up for Newt. (I haven't seen any fantastic beasts movies yet but apparently he fought against Newts expulsion) He failed at saving Gellert from his dark interests. He failed at nurturing Tom away from his dark interests. He failed at standing up for Hagrid. He failed at keeping the Potters safe. He tries so HARD to do 'good', sticking his neck out for others... He takes an interest in muggles like their inventions and sweets. He allows a werewolf to get an education. He scrambled to give Hagrid a home, a half-giant who was thought to be a murderer. He gives Filch, a squib who could never integrate with Muggles, a home too. Everyone likes him and all the nice goody-goody things he has done, but he doesn't have friends. He keeps himself alone. Everyone has always leaned on him, the big brother, the eldest, the smartest, the strongest... but he can't trust himself to be 'good' enough. He avoids having real power, because he is terrified he will drop the ball/abuse it. At the end of the first wizarding war he has a Surprise Tool That Will Help Us Later in the form of a baby boy with a target on its back. A baby boy he has already failed. Who he has already scarred. ((I think mentioning his own 'scars' when Minerva asks if Harry's can be removed is telling: Harry's scar is as meaningful to himself as it is for Harry. The humor is deflection from his emotions on the topic, eg 'warm socks' in the Mirror of Erised.)) He could take it upon himself to care for him. Hogwarts is a safe place. But can he really trust himself to do that? Can he trust people not to betray him again...? ...He can't. What he can trust is old Magic. He coldly keeps his distance, so he doesn't get attached to a boy he knows he will likely lose one day. ((Mission failed Harry's first year - 'oh crap the boy is more pure and selfless then I ever could have thought... he see's the same thing in the mirror as me, he sulks and obsesses over it like me... shit I gotta step in and stop him from becoming me'))

--- 'He Knew Sirius was Innocent' ...I think he knows very little. He suspects alot - and acts vaguely, to give himself more options. To hide his cards. Immaculate poker face He suspected Sirius was innocent. I think it's a sore spot for him.

The fact Dumbledore gave testimony against Sirius, when he has a history of fighting for people he knows they are innocent, suggests to me he didn't know for sure he was innocent. There was no clear evident for where/what Voldemort was, or if he was still alive, to make solid plans on yet. He can't make big plans about what Harry is definitely going to need to do in the future when it is possible the prophecy has ALREADY been fulfilled... so I can't really buy into the idea of locking Sirius up so Harry was isolated. The fact he was so ready to accept he WAS innocent so many years later...? To help free him specifically so he could be in Harry's life...? That doesn't sound like a man that wanted Harry to have 'no support network'.

He had no proof Sirius was innocent. Nothing convincing. He thought he could trust Sirius to protect James - but then James was dead. Peter was dead. Lily was dead. Severus was broken. He failed again. Foolish to trust. 'Prior Incantanto' doesn't mean shit if Sirius simply cast other spells - and why wouldn't he if he were going to plead innocence? The finger is a curious element - but there were 12 dead muggles, three dead Order members, 50 unbiased witnesses... Sirius Black is a talented 'handsome' young man with a troubled home life, almost caused a student death, has connections to pure-blood ideology and a history of acting out in dangerous ways. …Who are the only other 2 people Dumbledore has described as handsome?

Gellert, a talented and handsome young man with a turbulent personal history, connections to student deaths, and interest in the Dark Arts… and who Albus gave far too many chances.

Tom, a talented and handsome young boy/man with a horrible past, connections to student deaths, and interest in the Dark Arts. Albus comforted him, offered him a home, watched over him… and gave him far too many chances.

It's happened again. A student he had already given pardons to for his mischief, the exact type of guy he is drawn to... Does he give him the benefit of the doubt? Does he give him more chances? Does he stick his neck out to defend him...? When he has such a history of picking the wrong horse to back…?

Sirius was imprisoned without a trial.

Regardless of the eyewitness accounts, regardless of Dumbledore informing the DMLE that Sirius was the Potters' Secret-Keeper, regardless of all of that. In any situation where you are being charged with a crime, you have the right to a fair trial. This ties into the legal presumption of innocence ("innocent until proven guilty") which dates back as far as ancient Roman law from the era of Emperor Antonius Pius.

As a law student, I can tell you that the wording of this right is specifically tied to the requirement of the prosecution to prove the innocence of the accused. It has nothing to do with the amount of evidence there may be. You need to hold a trial in order for said evidence to be presented before the court, where you can then be legally proven guilty or innocent. You cannot go to prison without first being found guity in the eyes of the law of the crime you are being imprisoned for.

Real-world parallels aside, the Wizengamot is canonically the legislative and judicial body of the Ministry. Therefore, to give credit to OP, they're absolutely right that Dumbledore would have had the ability as Chief Warlock, however you envision the role to look like, to grant Sirius a trial.

He had, until the tragedy, been acting as a superior to Sirius in an underground secret society, sending him on missions and giving him orders and trusting him with sensitive information. For seven years before that - he was his headmaster at school and would have taught his parents Transfiguration. I would think being someones headmaster, boss and confidant would prevent you from acting with any power over their fate. Other than giving evidence under oath, such as "Well as far as I was aware he was made the Potters secret keeper" and "Severus is as much a Death Eater as I am - he was working for me."

We don't see him in any sort of chairman seat or role of power during the trials after the tragedy - only giving evidence and watching from the same seats as everyone else present. That leads me to believe that even if he were Chief Warlock at the time he was not acting in any such position during anything to do with the Potters and the Death Eaters. It was such a big deal it was probably the Minister of Magic herself, as we see Fudge do after stripping the chairman title from Albus.

However, having the legal capacity to ensure that proper channels are followed and that someone receives a trial after being charged with a crime, before being imprisoned for it, is different from being the person presiding over said trial.

Elphias Dodge was the "Special Advisor" to the Wizengamot, and as we saw with Harry's trial, the Minister was able to step in to the position of Chief Warlock after Dumbledore was removed — as such, I find it likely that there were either contingencies in place for situations where the Chief Warlock could not actually preside over the trial, or at the very least, that there weren't restrictions on someone being able to do so.

As such, realistically, it would have been perfectly possible even if there was a concern about bias or conflict of interest for Dumbledore, in his position as Chief Warlock, to ensure that Sirius was still provided with a fair trial before being imprisoned, even if someone else (Doge, Millicent Bagnold (then-Minister), or even the then-Head of DMLE to step in and adjudicate.

As a side point, I don't really think that evidence against Sirius' family would be especially relevant. The matter before the Wizengamot would be whether or not he personally was guilty of murdering the Muggles and Peter Pettigrew, and aiding in the murders of Lily and James. His family would only be relevant as a tool for the prosecution to use against Sirius by trying to suggest that he held their biases/beliefs—and practically, any decent defence could have called character witnesses to contradict it. Remus, Minerva, half of Hogwarts or half of the Order could have been called to give evidence that Sirius hated his family, was disowned by them, hated Slytherin and fought admirably for the Order during the War.