19 He's an Idiot!

"Tell me, Harry. Why do you not want to become the next Dark Lord?" asked Dumbledore while looking at Harry piercingly.

Harry smiled at him and gave a quick answer, "Because he's an idiot."

Dumbledore almost fell off his chair listening to that.

"Ahmm, Harry, would you please elaborate?"

"Sure Professor" Harry took a deep breath before he began his long-rehearsed passage.

"From what I know, Voldemort or Tom Riddle was the most talented wizard of his generation. He was exceptional in every way and being the last descendant of Slytherin only added to the fact.

So, as far as Hogwarts is concerned, he was practically Royalty.

This prompted him to start a 'cult' based on his own interpretation of Slytherin's wish about only taking Pure-Bloods in Hogwarts. That might have been what he told the others and to some extent, even himself, but the truth of the matter was, he didn't give a rat's ass over who joined Hogwarts and who didn't. Moreover, any reasonably smart person would understand that the so-called Pure-Blood theory is flawed in its own logic. You take any pureblood family and start tracing their ancestors. If you can go far enough, you would definitely come across someone who was a Muggle-born wizard. I mean even the most ancient bloodlines started somewhere right? Even Merlin wasn't the primogenitor of magic and if I am right he was most definitely a muggle-born wizard. Otherwise, Voldemort wouldn't be using Slytherin as his idol, but Merlin, who for all intents and purposes, could be considered the greatest wizard to date."

"So, if that wasn't his motivation, then what was?" interrupted McGonagall.

Harry answered calmly, "He didn't care about money or power, all he wanted was to watch the world burn and him being the one to start that fire. He wanted a legitimate reason to kill so he found the most convenient one available - 'Cleansing the Magical World of the mud-bloods'.

It is possible that he actually wanted to believe in his goals, but his psyche had been distorted so much over the years that he just couldn't help himself from becoming a murdering psychopath.

You ask me why I don't want to become the next Voldemort?

I ask you, why would anyone want to become like him? He had no friends, no family, no one who could ever point out his folly. He barely resembles a human anymore. All he is is a shadow of a human being who didn't get any love when he was young. So, he decided to take out that frustration and anger on the world.

The other wizard families who supported him did so out of their greed in the beginning. By the time they realized what kind of a maniac they were following, it was already too late. Many of them were too deep now and many just kept following him out of fear.

So, he didn't even have actual loyal followers except those who were psychopaths like him.

That's my answer Professor, I don't want to become like Voldemort as its an idiotic notion born out of God-Complex that would only end badly."

"..."

"..."

For the next few seconds, none of them spoke.

Then, Dumbledore opened his mouth, "I understand what you are trying to say Harry, but if what you are saying is true then that would mean Tom Riddle was truly an idiot. However, Harry, I knew him from a very young age. I saw him grow up. I don't think 'idiot' would be a trait I would associate with him. Just look at what he has accomplished. That doesn't look like the work of an idiot to me."

Harry shook his head and said, "That's where you are wrong Professor. I am not underestimating his ability as a magician or over exaggerating his penchant for destruction. I am only saying that there were better ways to go about his goal and if he was truly sane and thought about it a little bit, he would have realized the errors of his ways."

"Oh? And what do you think he should have done?" asked Dumbledore lightly.

"If you want to rule the world, you don't go about killing everyone in sight.

What kind of a king would you be if all that was left in the end was ruins and corpses?

You can't make the entire world your enemy and then wish to become immortal. It's a flawed objective. No matter how careful you are, no matter how elaborately you plan, there would be someone who would find a way to beat you.

Instead, you make allies. You stay in the light and give the image of the most upright human being possible, while you can use your power and position to do whatever you want in the dark.

There have been many people in history who were able to accomplish great things. But many such people had a dark side that no one knew about. Some were exposed but the most notorious ones weren't, at least not while they were alive.

For example, instead of creating the Death Eaters, if he had become the minister of magic and slowly expanded his web throughout the magical world, he would have been able to cause ten times more damage and still be worshipped for the one who fought 'tooth and nail' to save the world.

Or he could have succeeded you as the next headmaster of Hogwarts and influenced the minds of the young magicians towards darkness. That way, every year, he would have had a bunch of magicians who would be his apostles and spread his ideas of the dark arts.

There are many other ways he could have gone about his mission and cause a lot more destruction. He wouldn't even have to hide like a rat the way he is doing now.

So, if that's not the definition of idiot, then I don't know what is."

"..."

"..."

The pause was much longer this time. Dumbledore could only smile wryly at his student's intelligence and perception. When you put everything the way he did, it really sounded like Voldemort was a buffoon.

'Oh Tom, if only you were half as wise as this kid, I would have already retired to countryside growing pumpkins.'

"Harry, you have truly shown me a whole new angle of Tom and I even feel a little pity for him now" sighed Dumbledore.

'Yeah, pity for facing someone like you in the future' thought McGonagall.

"So Harry, from what you have shown me just now, your command over magic is much higher than your peers. It wouldn't make sense to waste your time in first-year classes learning something you could do better than most fifth years. But I still want you to attend your classes on time. Even though you have self-learned a lot, your foundations might be still shaky due to the absence of a systemized teaching process.

At the same time, you also deserve to learn advanced magic, otherwise, it would be a waste of your potential.

What do you suggest we should do then Harry? I am sure you must have some thoughts on this matter" asked Dumbledore with a knowing smile.

'It's about damn time' thought Harry.

He obviously had his thoughts on how to make the best use of his time while here at Hogwarts. He didn't want to go through the same course again. So, organizing his thoughts, Harry proposed a new training plan for himself.

"I do have a few thoughts I wanted to discuss with you.

First of all, I would need the time turner. Five to six extra hours every day would be a huge help.

Second, I need unrestricted access to the library, even the restricted section, and the permission slip needs to be signed by you personally. I don't want another professor just canceling my privileges for nothing.

Third, I need you to arrange some special lessons for me with the Professors. For example, I want Prof. Flitwick to teach me how to have a magic duel. I need Prof. McGonagall's help in becoming an animagus.

Lastly, I need you to teach me how to become a better wizard. I don't mean any philosophical directions. I need actual training in the magical arts. You are the only one who can go head-on against Voldemort. So, if I want to be strong enough to face him in the future, I would need your help, Professor Dumbledore."

Dumbledore looked at him with raised eyebrows. He expected the first two points but the later ones were a bit too much. Taking aside the fact if the Professors would even entertain giving one student such preference, even he couldn't accept what Harry wanted from him.

It was basic fairness to all students. Giving him some privileges would be fine but if it became public that he was getting personal lessons from the Headmaster, it would raise a lot of protests and he would be swamped with letters from the parents, especially the pureblood families.

"Harry, the first two would not be a problem. As long as you submit a proper log of your usage of time turner, it would be fine.

As for your second request, I would need a list of every book you want to read in the restricted section along with your reasons for wanting to read them. Only then would I sign a permission slip for you and that too only for those particular books.

Your third proposal isn't something that I can decide. You would have to take care of it yourself. If you can convince the professors to give you a customized lesson, then I wouldn't interfere. That much I can promise you.

Now as for your last proposal, that, I am afraid, I can't fulfill. I think you are smart enough to understand the reason for it.

However, I can give you something that might help you out.

I will send you a challenge list. After every challenge you complete, you will earn one request. As long as it's within reasonable boundaries, I will try my best to guide you.

So, what do you think Harry?"

Harry thought about it for a second. He already expected his answer for the first three points. But Dumbledore's suggestion on the last one was a little unexpected. He thought the old fox would skirt away from it by making some kind of excuse. But his current proposal was also suitable for him. He didn't know what challenges Dumbledore would give him but he was confident enough to overcome them in due time and that would give him a chance to get Dumbledore's guidance.

"Professor, I accept your suggestion. I just need one more thing. Could you also exempt me from the bedtime rules that first years need to follow?

I might be in the library or someplace else studying till late night and I don't want to be the reason Gryffindor loses on the points table" Harry asked shamelessly.

Dumbledore chuckled at this and agreed to his request.

"Now then Harry, I believe its time for your lunch. So if you would excuse us, I need to talk to Minerva and discuss how to go about your...situation."

Harry nodded while getting up and left the Headmaster's office. He waved goodbye to Fawkes while leaving and the scarlet bird chirped at him. He could only imagine Fawkes was also saying goodbye to him.

'Yep, that's what it was saying', thought Harry.

"Man I'm starving. Didn't expect that Occlumency takes such a toll on you. My brain is hurting like crazy. That old fogy has some serious skills. Anyways, let's go get something to eat. Later I need to deal with Prof. Flitwick and figure out a way to accept me as his personal student" thought Harry out loud as he rushed towards the main hall to get his lunch.

*************

"Albus, I don't know about this. Harry's talent is something I have never even heard of. If we really give him so much free rein, I am afraid he would turn out to be the next dark lord. Actually, if he really gets the Professors to teach him privately, he wouldn't just be a dark lord. We would have created a monster who could cause a destruction of cataclysmic proportions. The entire world would be involved in this, even the muggles" said McGonagall.

She was really worried about the future of the magical world. Harry's talent had rung a few alarm bells in her head.

Dumbledore didn't answer her immediately. He was thinking while massaging his beard.

He then took a deep breath and looked at McGonagall while replying in his usual tone, "Minerva, I can relate to your fears. I too feel a little apprehension towards this child. I already made a mistake in the way I dealt with Tom. I don't want to repeat that same mistake again. That's why I suggested the challenges. I would have to think of ways to keep him in the light.

I don't know if it will be enough to keep him away from the darkness. But I am sure of one thing, one way or another, Harry Potter will rule the magical world one day."