To celebrate the upcoming release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, we invite you to select an adult Order of the Phoenix member who fought at the Battle of Hogwarts (Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, Bill Weasley, Tonks, Lupin, or dare we suggest—Snape?) and write a 500 word or less diary entry from that person's perspective of what occurred and your character's reaction to those events. A review of the last few chapters in HBP is recommended in order to keep the journal entry as canon/character correct as possible (The Lightning-Struck Tower, Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament and The White Tomb). Some possible ideas for journal entries—Dumbledore's death, the realization that Hogwarts defenses were lacking, concern for Harry's readiness to stand against Voldemort, Snape's betrayal, etc.

NOTE: A special thanks to Leaky Lounge member, SiriusBSirius, who came up with the original idea for this contest. She is the winner of a Wizard Wood Wand. Thank you for the idea and congratulations!

We are still accepting ideas for upcoming contests. If you have an idea, please go to the Contest Corner and submit it. If your idea is selected, you will also win a Wizard Wood Wand.

Rules for Entrants:

• Write a diary entry as an adult OOTP member who has just experienced the Battle at Hogwarts as found in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 500 words or less.
• Your diary entry must be consistent with the canon from the Harry Potter books.
• There is a strict PG-13 rating for the stories
• One entry per person. All work must be original.
• All decisions by the judges are final.
• Anyone 13 and older may enter the contest, including staff members who are not part of the judging process.
• All submissions must be emailed to contests@the-leaky-cauldron.org by June 30, 2009 at 11:59 pm (EDT) with "HBP Diary Entry" in the subject line of the e-mail. Please copy-paste the story into the body of the e-mail and include a name to be used for authorship (real name or Leaky Lounge name).
• Winners will be chosen for first, second, and third place. The First Place winner will receive a custom made Wizard Wood Wand as a prize. Please refer to our FAQ if you are not sure of something.
• If you have any questions not answered on the FAQ or would like to discuss this Contest, please come to the Contest Corner forum of the Leaky Lounge.

Important Reminder:

We are looking for adult OotP members AND situations from the Hogwarts Battle in Half-Blood Prince not Deathly Hallows. The write-up explains that and since HBP is coming out this year and not DH, the Battle of Hogwarts in DH doesn't coordinate well with the movie release in July (the purpose of this contest). Please read the write-up carefully in what we're looking for (the intro paragraph gives you adult members you can write-up and chapters to re-read).

If you've submitted an entry and it doesn't relate to Half-Blood Prince, you may resubmit your entry as long as it's submitted before the deadline. Please put your e-mail header as "HBP Diary Entry Resubmit."

If you have a question on whether an adult member/situation counts or not, please feel free to ask here, e-mail us, or PM any one of us.

I just sent in my entry but I chose Mrs. Weasley, is that a problem?

QUOTE(Rachezee @ Jun 21 2009, 04:34 AM)

I just sent in my entry but I chose Mrs. Weasley, is that a problem?

Sorry, but yes, it is a problem. Mrs. Weasley didn't fight in the HBP Battle at Hogwarts. As mjk said in the post prior to yours, you are welcome to rewrite and resubmit your entry (writing as either Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, Bill Weasley, Tonks, Lupin or Snape) since they were the only adult OOTP members who fought in the first Battle of Hogwarts.

If you decide to rewrite your entry, please be sure to include the following in your email header: HBP Diary Entry Resubmit

Thanks!

I wrote my diary as Hagrid and I hope its good. I've never won the contest yet so fingers crossed. My old wand broke xD.

The winners have been picked! Please help me congratulate the following winners:

First Place: Faerenach
Second Place: Lillylove
Third Place: Mac_Beth13
Honorable Mention: Fidelia
Honorable Mention: bloodyxxfairy

You can view their entries by scrolling down or clicking on their names. For anyone who participated in this contest and did not win, you are more than welcome to post your diary entries for everyone else to see.

This post has been edited by mjk: Jul 7 2009, 03:02 PM

First Place: Faerenach

June XX, 1997

Of course I will destroy this. My thoughts barely belong to myself, let alone to a piece of parchment. But I must… I must put this down. So that I can see it, so that it can somehow seem real.

I have just killed Albus Dumbledore. He begged me; he whispered "please", and I hate him for it.

And Potter… that stupid, ignorant boy, how dare he call me a coward?? If he only knew what I've done. What I've promised to do. And how his precious Dumbledore has betrayed us all.

Albus. I hate him. I hate him because the last part of Lily worth protecting is still going to die. And as if that were not enough, he has forced me to be the one to make sure it happens.

He has used me. He has taken the best of me and twisted it so darkly that I cannot remember why I promised to help him in the first place. What right did he have to ask this of me? Did he think my soul so dark already that another murder cannot make much difference? Go on, Albus, paint it darker. Let them hang me high as a villain and condemn me in front of the world, like they always have.

And yet… I have never cared before. Why should I care now?

Because that murderer isn't me. It has never been me, but no one has ever seen past what they've wanted to see. There has only ever been one person that has ever understood me, that has cared about what other people thought. And she's gone. She's gone. All that remains of her is Potter… Potter, and those damned green eyes.

Those eyes that haunt me.

Damn you, Albus Dumbledore! For putting me in this impossible position! For making me a murderer and a traitor! For giving me a reason to live… and then making me kill it. And he will not be here to see it, he will not have to live with it. Because I've already done away with him.

Too soon, I will stand in front of the Dark Lord, and I will triumph over Albus' death. It will not be hard to convince him of my rage. Even now, hate courses through me like firewhiskey. And he will praise me and glorify me for killing the old man. But what can he offer me besides hollow words and empty pride?

The only thing I've ever wanted, he has killed. And her son… Harry Potter. He will die too.

There is nothing left. Why even walk this path that is ahead of me?

SS

Second Place: Lillylove

Excerpt from the diary of Minerva McGonagall

If I don’t get some of this out of my heart and onto parchment I will surely burst. The horrific events of the last few days are simply beyond anything I could have imagined. There are so many unanswered questions, and so much grief shrouding it all.

I never dreamed that Dumbledore could be taken – murdered - right here at Hogwarts no less, and by one of “our own.” I suppose I am guilty of thinking that Albus was invincible. He has been as a citadel against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for so long. I tremble to think of moving into what we must face without him. Oh Albus, my dear friend and advisor, I miss the comfort of your wisdom.

We teachers always held our suspicions of Severus, despite Albus’ fierce defense of Snape’s repentance and loyalty. I cannot for the life of me understand how he was able to fool Dumbledore so completely. Potter’s account of what took place on the Astronomy Tower is monstrous and nauseating. To think that these children have been under the tutelage of the Headmaster’s murderer sickens me.

I cannot clear my conscience of some responsibility for Dumbledore’s death. I had Snape summoned into the fray. I honestly don’t believe he knew the Death Eaters were within the walls. Perhaps had I not sent Flitwick for him, Albus would still be alive to lead us, to lead me.

And then of course, there is Harry Potter, dear Harry. When I think of the tremendous burden that boy has been forced to endure, my stiff Scottish façade crumbles. My heart aches for him like none other. To think he lost his parents so young and has witnessed Sirius’ and now Dumbledore’s death. How much grief can one young man be expected to bear?

What on earth could Dumbledore possibly have told Harry, that he feels so compelled to keep secret even now that Albus is gone? Could this be just a symptom of his sorrow? Perhaps he is confused by all the events and his place within them to fully understand what he should divulge. I confess I was most angry that he would not tell me when we left the hospital wing and went up to the Headmaster’s – my office. If the members of the Ministry had not been so close at hand, I surely would have said or done something I would now regret.

I must be patient with Potter. His grief and no doubt his fear are great. I am thankful for his deep-rooted friendship with Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. It is a blessing that he is not alone. If indeed Hogwarts remains open next year, I shall keep close to Harry and offer him as much support as I possibly can. I am sure that the other Order members will do the same. We do after all, love the boy who lived.

Third Place: Mac_Beth13

From the Diary of Tonks

* * * * * * *

I can’t believe he’s gone. It’s so surreal to believe that Dumbledore is dead, just writing it down in this diary forces me to realize the truth of it. I’m not so sure of everyone else but I know I’ll continue doing work for the Order. I suppose McGonagall will take over leading the Order, maybe share it with Kingsley and Moody. I just know we still have a long battle ahead of us. Facing an uncertain future is nerve-racking, not having Dumbledore here to help us changes everything. Harry was with him, I think Dumbledore left him special instructions, Harry won’t say what Dumbledore‘s orders were specifically. Maybe the Prophet got it right, maybe Harry is the chosen one. Dumbledore had faith in him, so I guess we should too, I know I do. He’s proven himself more than enough times, I choose to stand behind him, whatever it takes.

The funeral is tomorrow, Remus is meeting me by the front gates of Hogwarts. I’m still on guard duty and will be until the students go home. Remus and I had a long talk today on my off shift; he took me to the Shrieking Shack. He told me about how, when he was a student, he used to go there on the full moon. He opened up to me, finally let me in. We talked about a lot of things. After my little outburst in front of everyone the other night I think he’s finally realized I really do accept him as he is. I hope he can understand that despite his being a werewolf I love him. I am completely head-over-heels in love with Remus Lupin.

Where’s the harm in that, really? Being in love with someone, it’s supposed to be a beautiful, wonderful, joyful thing. Remus thinks I’m throwing away my chance for a normal life away. What’s normal anyway? So highly overrated. Loving him is not a death sentence, despite what his fears tell him. Sometimes I think he’s afraid to let someone love him. I think he’s afraid to lose again. He made progress though; before we said goodnight he told me he loved me too. I almost feel guilty for finding joy at a time like this. Then again maybe not. McGonagall knew Dumbledore just as well as anybody and I think she got it right when she said that he would have been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world. So I’m going to hold on to this good feeling, surround myself in the feeling of knowing that I love and I’m loved in return. It’s my comfort right now, my reminder of why it’s important to keep on fighting. Got a long day tomorrow so I guess I’ll stop rambling and get some sleep.

* * * * * * *

The Tonks quoting of McGonagall is from page 624 of the U.S. paperback edition of the Half-Blood Prince.

Honorable Mention: Fidelia

The Battle of Hogwarts
Severus' Diary Entry on Events at the Lightning Struck Tower

He never trusted me, Severus wrote.

The scene on top of the Astronomy Tower tonight was my most dreaded possibility made real. As the Dark Mark hovered overhead, I saw that all the pieces of Voldemort’s plans had fallen neatly into place. A pale Draco held a trembling wand in Dumbledore’s direction. Dumbledore appeared weak and ill; whatever adventures befell him in his absence had drained him. The Death Eaters Amycus and Alecto Carrow, with Fenrir Greyback, pressed in towards Draco.

Dumbledore’s eyes bored into mine, holding me to my promise. I glanced around, calculated swiftly. I was outnumbered; no members of the Order stood by me; Death Eaters circled hungrily, awaiting Dumbledore’s demise. No further plausible stories or delays would suffice.

“Severus”, begged Dumbledore.

He had to plead with me? Ever since I began the cold, left-over life allotted me after Lily’s death, I had followed Dumbledore the way a drowning man will swim towards whatever light shimmers upon the water. And, still, he didn’t trust me.

There are moments when time freezes. I saw a lifetime in seconds, images flashing before my mind’s eye like a legilimency lesson gone awry. I saw myself collapsed in Dumbledore's office, revealing my hideous mistake in relaying the prophecy to the Voldemort. I relived telling him of my love for Lily, trying desperately to find a way to save her. I saw the ghastly night she was killed, and Dumbledore coldly showing me a path forward. I remembered all the times I swallowed my pride to play whatever role Dumbledore assigned me. Gaining his esteem would take time, I thought. But as I drew closer into Voldemort’s inner circle, Dumbledore tossed out partial truths to me while confining me to a potion-maker’s dungeon. I became Voldemort’s trusted servant, and Dumbledore’s equal in a deadly game of wits against the Dark Lord. I saw again the night Dumbledore nearly died, when my skills stoppered death and saved his life. Finally, he had turned to me. Yet I never learned the story of what transpired that fateful night. As always, I was on trial.

And tonight, he needed to beg for my help? To everyone else, it appeared that this game was between the Dark Lord and Dumbledore. The Dark Lord had arrayed his pieces most cunningly, and it seemed as if the White King must lie prone, capitulating to the dark side. But the heart of the game had always been between the White King and I, the Dark Knight. I moved in irregular and secret patterns, but always to his bidding.

“Severus….please....”, Dumbledore whispered. As always, I did as Dumbledore asked. Murder rends most souls, but by committing his, I finally mended mine. I hated the promise I had made, but I am a man bound by loyalty. Raising my wand, I saw a fleeting satisfaction in Dumbledore’s eyes. I had finally gained his trust, in those final seconds he had left to breathe.

And so I killed him.