[Fic] Harry Potter - (Four Schools AU) Dear Tom - Tom Marvolo Gaunt, Albus Dumbledore - G
Advent Calendar meme, 2014
December 3 - Harry Potter (Four schools AU) - Tom Marvolo Gaunt, Albus Dumbledore - les tentatives d'approche du vieux fou et le viol du pauvre journal intime de Tom
(for chonaku55)
Rating: G
Harry Potter belongs to J. K. Rowling.
Notes:
Third day, and I'm already late as hell, yay!
I rather like this one - though it probably won't make much sense unless I've already pestered you about this AU. Long story short:
- there is no Hogwarts, but four major schools of magic (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw), with different cursus, specialties, reputations, frequented by very different crowds...
- Dumbledore hasn't fought Grindelwald, he took over a good chunk of the continent
- in Slytherin, and among families who tend to go there, magical children are NOT left to rot among muggles who are thoroughly incompetent at raising them, let alone in dingy orphanages. So Tom, belonging to the most noble House of Gaunt, has been entrusted to the House of Lestrange (and of course they had him wear his wizard family name, duh),
- ...and yes, it has had Positive Consequences on Tom's development (so I facepalm at Dumbledore's choices regarding that boy, sue me).
Also, I believe this is the first time I've written epistolary fiction. It was interesting, but kind of difficult - I actually have no idea whether this sounds posh enough. Frustrating.
Dear Tom,
Meeting you at Mrs Smiths' gala was a delightful surprise. I must confess, even as a teacher, I rarely get the chance to have such stimulating discussions on the root and nature of magic. Your take on the Greek manuscripts was quite interesting, and you put a lot of talent into defending it.
It has come to my knowledge that you are currently seeking a teaching position; while I cannot provide you with one, I can arrange for a meeting with professor Dippet. I would be honored if you graced us with your charming presence at Gryffindor's Yule ball.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
Of course my take was interesting, professor. I am quite certain it's the first time you've ever heard someone actually question these matters in your life. And of course I put a lot of talent into it - I am descended from Salazar Slytherin himself. I have more talent than all your mudblood students piled together. Why do older people always think I need their approval?
Filling my own pages with this trite - merlin, I can't believe the nerve of this man.
oOo
Professor,
I am honored and flattered by the interest you took in my work, and enjoyed our conversation just as much as you did. Unfortunately, I have a previous engagement, as the Lestrange were kind enough to invite me to their winter gala.
I hope you can forgive me for refusing your most generous invitation, and send my best wishes for the holidays.
If I may make a suggestion, I would gladly pursue our correspondence through owls. I am most sorry you went through so much trouble merely to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.
oOo
Dear Tom,
Do not worry, reaching out towards such a brilliant young man as you was no trouble at all.
It's a shame not to have counted you amongst our guests at Gryffindor, but Rasalague has been a very generous benefactor to you, and it is only natural that you give him precedence over any other offer.
I hope you enjoyed your Yule's eve as much as I did - I hear the Lestranges' gala was spectacular, and you and young Alrai displayed impressive dancing and ice skating skills. If you are as talented on ice as you were waltzing at Ms Smith's, it must have been a sight to behold.
As for introducing you to professor Dippet, I am sure another occasion will present itself quite soon. I shall write again as soon as I find one.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
It is most troublesome to me, you senile pile of-
As if I would ever set foot in that vile excuse for a school. Half of your students are mudblood. Besides, Lady Lucretia Lestrange would never forgive anyone declining one of her invitations, no matter how much she likes me.
And why would I ever want to decline one? Every hall and ballroom of the winter mansion vibrates with magic. I can almost taste the secrets buried in these walls. How could I ever be insane enough to trade that delicacy for a meeting with the director of Gryffindor?
oOo
Professor,
Thank you for your understanding.
The Lestranges' gala was indeed memorable. Sir Rasalague offered us the finest French cuisine, and had over fifty will-o-wisps imported from Wales; they gave us a magnificent spectacle when they were released after diner. As for my own skating performance, I am hardly objective enough to judge.
I would be honored to come visit you at Gryffindor and meet Sir Dippet. Please feel free to owl me whenever.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.
oOo
Dear Tom,
I hope your winter holidays went well. Sir Abraxas Malfoy informed me that you spent them at the Lestrange mansion, which I know has a lovely pond for skating. And while your modesty is refreshing, I am afraid young miss Abott has betrayed your secret. According to her, you were more graceful than the vela brought by your Polish guests.
Professor Dippet and I are scheduled for a visit to Hogsmade on Wednesday, next week. Poor Mr Rosmerta has yet another complaint to file about some of our students. Oh, nothing too serious, just a few youth butting heads over the House Cup. Surely you remember, Tom, how enthusiastic wizards can be about such things. Unfortunately, they damaged some of the One Broomstick's tables, and now our director must visit her for a formal apology.
Should you happen to be in Hogsmade the same day, I am most certain arrangements could be made for a meeting. I hope you are available, Tom. I look forward to seeing you again.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
Why does that old barb keep talking about my grace and skating skills?
...Merlin, I do hope I am mistaken. Merely thinking about these words makes me feel filthy as a muggle, now.
I do remember the Gryffindor students very well. A bunch of crude, inelegant ruffians loofing about Hogsmade, forcing us to go to the Hogg's Head just so we could talk in peace! Abraxas was right, butting heads is about the only thing they'll ever be good for.
And why in Morgana's good name would I ever accept his invitation?
oOo
Professor,
The holidays were delightful. Sir Rasalague and Lady Lucretia are the most perfect of hosts, as I am sure you already know. Cebalray and I were granted permission to consult some of the ancient volumes Sir Rasalague keeps in his personal library. I hardly spent any time outside, it was so fascinating.
Miss Abott's visit was a welcome distraction, though I am embarrassed to learn she said such things about me; I am afraid the poor girl had a bit too much to drink that evening, for I am quite clumsy on the ice, or so Cebalray tells me.
I am sorry to hear about your students giving you trouble. I think I can understand, although Slytherin was a bit different, at least from what I remember. We did not have houses here, and were closely monitored during excursions. Our teachers did not have Sir Dippet's patience for teenage rivalries, I must confess.
I am free on wednesday, just give whatever time and place are most convenient to you and Sir Dippett to my crow - I assure you, Morrigan is quite reliable, and reaching through this journal is not necessary.
I look forward to this meeting as well.
I look forward to this meeting as well.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.
oOo
Dear Tom,
Would three in the afternoon suit you? At the One Broomstick, of course, provided mister Rosmerta accepts professor Dippet's apology.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
I can't believe I accepted his offer.
How did I get desperate enough to consider reaching toward Gryffindor...?
oOo
Professor,
I shall be there. Let us all hope Mr. Rosmerta accepts it - we would not want to spend the afternoon outside in the snow.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvollo Gaunt.
oOo
Did this go wrong?
Of course this went wrong. What did I expect from Gryffindor? Have I lost all my common sense in five years?
oOo
Was I ever so childish?
I know for a fact that even at sixteen, I was aware of this man's importance. I refuse to spell it out here. Petty school grudges are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The old man is the closest one to Grindelwald's heart, they say. I needed to know more. Evaluate him. Abraxas can hardly be trusted to be objective in these matters.
Some good can still come out of this, if I can focus on what transpired between the attacks. The mere fact that he attacked me, that he knew so much about my weaknesses, is valuable information. He saw through the sweet fables of magic being love and truth - he must have read the old texts already. Rastalague was right. The man is too clever by half, and we must be extremely wary of him.
He is no Tobias Selwyn. Getting rid of him will be the real challenge of emancipation.
Of course, first I need to get away from his prying eyes.
And yes, that includes no longer writing to myself in a nine years old diary. There is little point to keeping an ace up one's sleeve if the other players know it is there.
oOo
Mr Dumbledore,
I do not appreciate the evaluation I was submitted to yesterday. I can understand why Sir Dippet asked me about my magical practices or my personal theories, but your mentioning my unfortunate birth circumstances was extremely distasteful. I care not what Morfin Gaunt has to say about it. That man has been raving mad for decades now.
I refuse to even acknowledge your questions about the Lestranges - they all but raised me since I was five, and they gave me nothing but the best.
Leaving aside the unpleasantness of that evening, I am afraid I am no longer interested in your offer. Sir Arcturus Black has granted me a position as a preceptor for his nephew Cygnus. I shall leave for London soon. I wish Sir Dippet the best of luck in his search for a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
And for the last time, stop writing in my diary. It is an invasion of my privacy.
Farewell,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.
December 3 - Harry Potter (Four schools AU) - Tom Marvolo Gaunt, Albus Dumbledore - les tentatives d'approche du vieux fou et le viol du pauvre journal intime de Tom
(for chonaku55)
Rating: G
Harry Potter belongs to J. K. Rowling.
Notes:
Third day, and I'm already late as hell, yay!
I rather like this one - though it probably won't make much sense unless I've already pestered you about this AU. Long story short:
- there is no Hogwarts, but four major schools of magic (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw), with different cursus, specialties, reputations, frequented by very different crowds...
- Dumbledore hasn't fought Grindelwald, he took over a good chunk of the continent
- in Slytherin, and among families who tend to go there, magical children are NOT left to rot among muggles who are thoroughly incompetent at raising them, let alone in dingy orphanages. So Tom, belonging to the most noble House of Gaunt, has been entrusted to the House of Lestrange (and of course they had him wear his wizard family name, duh),
- ...and yes, it has had Positive Consequences on Tom's development (so I facepalm at Dumbledore's choices regarding that boy, sue me).
Also, I believe this is the first time I've written epistolary fiction. It was interesting, but kind of difficult - I actually have no idea whether this sounds posh enough. Frustrating.
Dear Tom,
Meeting you at Mrs Smiths' gala was a delightful surprise. I must confess, even as a teacher, I rarely get the chance to have such stimulating discussions on the root and nature of magic. Your take on the Greek manuscripts was quite interesting, and you put a lot of talent into defending it.
It has come to my knowledge that you are currently seeking a teaching position; while I cannot provide you with one, I can arrange for a meeting with professor Dippet. I would be honored if you graced us with your charming presence at Gryffindor's Yule ball.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
Of course my take was interesting, professor. I am quite certain it's the first time you've ever heard someone actually question these matters in your life. And of course I put a lot of talent into it - I am descended from Salazar Slytherin himself. I have more talent than all your mudblood students piled together. Why do older people always think I need their approval?
Filling my own pages with this trite - merlin, I can't believe the nerve of this man.
oOo
Professor,
I am honored and flattered by the interest you took in my work, and enjoyed our conversation just as much as you did. Unfortunately, I have a previous engagement, as the Lestrange were kind enough to invite me to their winter gala.
I hope you can forgive me for refusing your most generous invitation, and send my best wishes for the holidays.
If I may make a suggestion, I would gladly pursue our correspondence through owls. I am most sorry you went through so much trouble merely to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.
oOo
Dear Tom,
Do not worry, reaching out towards such a brilliant young man as you was no trouble at all.
It's a shame not to have counted you amongst our guests at Gryffindor, but Rasalague has been a very generous benefactor to you, and it is only natural that you give him precedence over any other offer.
I hope you enjoyed your Yule's eve as much as I did - I hear the Lestranges' gala was spectacular, and you and young Alrai displayed impressive dancing and ice skating skills. If you are as talented on ice as you were waltzing at Ms Smith's, it must have been a sight to behold.
As for introducing you to professor Dippet, I am sure another occasion will present itself quite soon. I shall write again as soon as I find one.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
It is most troublesome to me, you senile pile of-
As if I would ever set foot in that vile excuse for a school. Half of your students are mudblood. Besides, Lady Lucretia Lestrange would never forgive anyone declining one of her invitations, no matter how much she likes me.
And why would I ever want to decline one? Every hall and ballroom of the winter mansion vibrates with magic. I can almost taste the secrets buried in these walls. How could I ever be insane enough to trade that delicacy for a meeting with the director of Gryffindor?
oOo
Professor,
Thank you for your understanding.
The Lestranges' gala was indeed memorable. Sir Rasalague offered us the finest French cuisine, and had over fifty will-o-wisps imported from Wales; they gave us a magnificent spectacle when they were released after diner. As for my own skating performance, I am hardly objective enough to judge.
I would be honored to come visit you at Gryffindor and meet Sir Dippet. Please feel free to owl me whenever.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.
oOo
Dear Tom,
I hope your winter holidays went well. Sir Abraxas Malfoy informed me that you spent them at the Lestrange mansion, which I know has a lovely pond for skating. And while your modesty is refreshing, I am afraid young miss Abott has betrayed your secret. According to her, you were more graceful than the vela brought by your Polish guests.
Professor Dippet and I are scheduled for a visit to Hogsmade on Wednesday, next week. Poor Mr Rosmerta has yet another complaint to file about some of our students. Oh, nothing too serious, just a few youth butting heads over the House Cup. Surely you remember, Tom, how enthusiastic wizards can be about such things. Unfortunately, they damaged some of the One Broomstick's tables, and now our director must visit her for a formal apology.
Should you happen to be in Hogsmade the same day, I am most certain arrangements could be made for a meeting. I hope you are available, Tom. I look forward to seeing you again.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
Why does that old barb keep talking about my grace and skating skills?
...Merlin, I do hope I am mistaken. Merely thinking about these words makes me feel filthy as a muggle, now.
I do remember the Gryffindor students very well. A bunch of crude, inelegant ruffians loofing about Hogsmade, forcing us to go to the Hogg's Head just so we could talk in peace! Abraxas was right, butting heads is about the only thing they'll ever be good for.
And why in Morgana's good name would I ever accept his invitation?
oOo
Professor,
The holidays were delightful. Sir Rasalague and Lady Lucretia are the most perfect of hosts, as I am sure you already know. Cebalray and I were granted permission to consult some of the ancient volumes Sir Rasalague keeps in his personal library. I hardly spent any time outside, it was so fascinating.
Miss Abott's visit was a welcome distraction, though I am embarrassed to learn she said such things about me; I am afraid the poor girl had a bit too much to drink that evening, for I am quite clumsy on the ice, or so Cebalray tells me.
I am sorry to hear about your students giving you trouble. I think I can understand, although Slytherin was a bit different, at least from what I remember. We did not have houses here, and were closely monitored during excursions. Our teachers did not have Sir Dippet's patience for teenage rivalries, I must confess.
I am free on wednesday, just give whatever time and place are most convenient to you and Sir Dippett to my crow - I assure you, Morrigan is quite reliable, and reaching through this journal is not necessary.
I look forward to this meeting as well.
I look forward to this meeting as well.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.
oOo
Dear Tom,
Would three in the afternoon suit you? At the One Broomstick, of course, provided mister Rosmerta accepts professor Dippet's apology.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
oOo
I can't believe I accepted his offer.
How did I get desperate enough to consider reaching toward Gryffindor...?
oOo
Professor,
I shall be there. Let us all hope Mr. Rosmerta accepts it - we would not want to spend the afternoon outside in the snow.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Marvollo Gaunt.
oOo
Did this go wrong?
Of course this went wrong. What did I expect from Gryffindor? Have I lost all my common sense in five years?
oOo
Was I ever so childish?
I know for a fact that even at sixteen, I was aware of this man's importance. I refuse to spell it out here. Petty school grudges are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The old man is the closest one to Grindelwald's heart, they say. I needed to know more. Evaluate him. Abraxas can hardly be trusted to be objective in these matters.
Some good can still come out of this, if I can focus on what transpired between the attacks. The mere fact that he attacked me, that he knew so much about my weaknesses, is valuable information. He saw through the sweet fables of magic being love and truth - he must have read the old texts already. Rastalague was right. The man is too clever by half, and we must be extremely wary of him.
He is no Tobias Selwyn. Getting rid of him will be the real challenge of emancipation.
Of course, first I need to get away from his prying eyes.
And yes, that includes no longer writing to myself in a nine years old diary. There is little point to keeping an ace up one's sleeve if the other players know it is there.
oOo
Mr Dumbledore,
I do not appreciate the evaluation I was submitted to yesterday. I can understand why Sir Dippet asked me about my magical practices or my personal theories, but your mentioning my unfortunate birth circumstances was extremely distasteful. I care not what Morfin Gaunt has to say about it. That man has been raving mad for decades now.
I refuse to even acknowledge your questions about the Lestranges - they all but raised me since I was five, and they gave me nothing but the best.
Leaving aside the unpleasantness of that evening, I am afraid I am no longer interested in your offer. Sir Arcturus Black has granted me a position as a preceptor for his nephew Cygnus. I shall leave for London soon. I wish Sir Dippet the best of luck in his search for a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
And for the last time, stop writing in my diary. It is an invasion of my privacy.
Farewell,
Tom Marvolo Gaunt.