u/ProvokeCouture

So I've got a question about hull design, especially for the pre-Federation ships. Were the primary hulls of ships all disc-shaped right from the get-go or were the first hulls off the assembly line closer to the cylinder-types like you'd see in old NASA concept art?

With that in mind, which UE ship was the first to feature a disc-shaped primary hull? We all know that the Franklin and NX01 Enterprise had one, but what about before them?

Summer before 5th year; Grimmauld Place

Hermione could see Harry rapidly spiraling into depression and anger at their headmaster for ignoring any attempt by Harry to speak to the old man. Determined to put a stop to Albus' machinations, Hermione did what she did best...

She disappeared into the Black Library.

Xxx

July 1991....

Albus blinked awake with a snort. He peered around his office owlishly but nothing seemed amiss. "Strange, I could've sworn I had a visitor..." Deciding that it must've been his imagination, he moved onto other things. On his shelves behind him, a small figurine shimmered briefly.

Xxx

September 1991...

Albus placidly stared out over the assembly of students. Every now and then his eyes would land upon one boy in particular but just as quickly, his mind would cloud over and whatever thoughts he had slipped away.

"Whatever happened to those traps you insisted we create for your experiment, Albus?" Severus asked him later.

Albus' eyes unfocused slightly; you really had to know what you were looking for to notice it. "There's no longer a need. Nicholas knows how to protect his property. He sent me a fake stone to use as a decoy instead." He applauded politely when Harry got Sorted into Gryffindor. Unseen by anyone, the figurine on the shelf in his office shimmered once again.

Perplexed, Severus let the matter drop. Quirrell (and his hidden Master) scowled when they heard that. A fortnight later, Quirrell was found dead in his apartment; seemingly the victim of an previously undiagnosed allergic reaction to shellfish.

On Halloween before Charms class started, the resident 'mis-sorted Ravenclaw' aka the 'bossy know-it-all' according to Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger quietly suggested that Harry use the time to hold a private memorial to honor his late parents. Harry sadly smiled his appreciation, "Thanks, Hermione. Would you like to join me? I'd rather not be alone. Ron's nice but he's too loud for something like this."

Hermione smiled brightly, "I'd be honored and happy to."

Xxx

Halloween 1992...

'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir beware!'

Once again, Albus' unusual reaction was one of growing curiosity to the other members of the staff when he woodenly strode over to the floo and called for not only the Aurors but also the Unspeakables. "We have a critical situation here. I need you to come up and help evacuate the castle. The Chamber of Secrets has apparently been reopened. I also need the Unspeakables to figure out what to do."

The castle was evacuated, the students' belongings searched (a number of violations were discovered in due course); and the Diarycrux was discovered in the possession of Ginny Weasley. After a rather lengthy discussion with the distraught girl and her parents as well as a memory viewing, Lucius Malfoy was arrested for a host of charges including attempted murder. Those charges were increased after Dobby hinted to the arresting Aurors where Lucius had hidden his darker stash. In the end, Lucius was tried via Veritaserum despite his status as a pureblood, convicted, and tossed through the Veil.

Meanwhile, back at the castle; Albus sat glassy-eyed in his throne while the Unspeakables routed out the Chamber and dealt with the legendary monster.

Behind him, that same figurine shimmered unseen as the Unspeakables and Aurors did their jobs.

Xxx

"Do you think I should tell someone that I heard a voice whispering in the walls?" Harry asked Hermione as they headed to class. After a bit of experimentation, both figured out that Harry was a Parselmouth, a language viewed by many as a mark of a Dark Wizard and associated with Voldemort.

"You could but given the usual knee-jerk reactions wizards tend to have to what they perceive to be 'unnatural' or 'dark'; I don't think that'd be a good idea."

Xxx

Summer before third year...

Sirius Black stared uncomprehendingly at the letter that had appeared before him as he watched his godson sit forlornly on the curb after blowing up that bitch Marge. 'Sirius, Harry needs you now more than ever. Don't sit there like an idiot in the bushes and introduce yourself! After that, get cleaned up and turn yourself in to Amelia Bones, the Director of the MLE. The rat is currently in Egypt with the Weasleys and will return two days from now. Share your memories with Amelia who will do the right thing and get you exonerated properly. Do NOT head to Hogwarts! The Ministry will be sending Dementors to capture you!'

Touching on that Gryffindor bravery, Sirius emerged from the bushes in his human form. Harry spotted him and warily backed up. "Hello, Harry...I, uh...my name's Sirius and I'm your godfather. We need to talk..."

Xxx

Up at Hogwarts, the figurine shimmered yet again causing Albus' eyes to unfocus; he rose to his feet and placed a call to the Minister. "Rather than sending Dementors, why don't you station some Aurors up here at the castle. They'd be more effective than those demons, who frankly would likely target the children of so many influential families. Additionally, it makes you look like an effective leader, Cornelius."

Cornelius thought about it and agreed. "Good idea, I'll put in the call right away. The Aurors can help with any other troubles that might crop up."

Albus nodded distractedly, "You might also want to consider making the posting a permanent position. What would you say about installing an auxiliary station up here at the castle?"

Xxx

Hermione let out a long fortifying breath before stuffing the DoM-issued Time Turner in a protected box in her trunk. Laying on her dresser was a near-identical copy that she would use as a decoy and later 'accidentally' destroy in view of her Head of House.

Xxx

Fourth year, TWT Champion Selection Ceremony...

"Well, this has to be a mistake," Albus announced to the Hall when a fourth scrap of parchment was ejected by the Goblet of Fire. "Harry Potter? No, he's underage so by the power invested in me as Headmaster, Chief Warlock, and Supreme Mugwump; I hereby declare Harry Potter to be disqualified as an entry for the Tri-Wizard Tournament! Director Croaker, if you would please investigate how a fourteen year old could be selected when we already have our three Champions then coordinate with Director Bones on the legal aspects? Thank you. Now! If you'll excuse me, I have to have a chat with the Champions. You're all dismissed, Hufflepuff has a party to plan, no doubt."

Xxx

Summer before 5th year...

"Forget it, Cornelius. There's no way, short of the Founders returning to the school, that I would ever allow Dolores to 'teach' here at Hogwarts. She's unqualified, barely passed her NEWTS, and more importantly; she hates anyone and everyone she deems 'undesirable'. What about an Auror on medical leave or an Unspeakable instead? While they're at it, they could take a look to see if the rumored DADA Curse could be dispelled."

Xxx

Same time, Grimmauld Place...

Hermione closed the book she'd been perusing with a satisfied look on her face. Everything turned out better than she'd hoped for. Sirius got his long-awaited trial and exoneration, Harry's custody was subsequently transferred to him. Harry himself was looking much better now that he no longer had to stay with the Dursleys (who were now serving time in prison for child abuse and other crimes.) The Dark Lord was being hunted by trained personnel thanks to the contract between the DoM and Harry that had 'mysteriously and magically' appeared and signed by both parties.

Best of all, Albus' manipulations had been thoroughly sidelined. "Not this time, you conniving old goat. This time, things will be done right rather than what is easy for the real Greater Good!"

(Up to the author how Hermione deals with Lockhart and Crouch Jr posing as Moody.)

Summer before 5th year; Grimmauld Place

Hermione could see Harry rapidly spiraling into depression and anger at their headmaster for ignoring any attempt by Harry to speak to the old man. Determined to put a stop to Albus' machinations, Hermione did what she did best...

She disappeared into the Black Library.

Xxx

July 1991....

Albus blinked awake with a snort. He peered around his office owlishly but nothing seemed amiss. "Strange, I could've sworn I had a visitor..." Deciding that it must've been his imagination, he moved onto other things. On his shelves behind him, a small figurine shimmered briefly.

Xxx

September 1991...

Albus placidly stared out over the assembly of students. Every now and then his eyes would land upon one boy in particular but just as quickly, his mind would cloud over and whatever thoughts he had slipped away.

"Whatever happened to those traps you insisted we create for your experiment, Albus?" Severus asked him later.

Albus' eyes unfocused slightly; you really had to know what you were looking for to notice it. "There's no longer a need. Nicholas knows how to protect his property. He sent me a fake stone to use as a decoy instead." He applauded politely when Harry got Sorted into Gryffindor. Unseen by anyone, the figurine on the shelf in his office shimmered once again.

Perplexed, Severus let the matter drop. Quirrell (and his hidden Master) scowled when they heard that. A fortnight later, Quirrell was found dead in his apartment; seemingly the victim of an previously undiagnosed allergic reaction to shellfish.

On Halloween before Charms class started, the resident 'mis-sorted Ravenclaw' aka the 'bossy know-it-all' according to Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger quietly suggested that Harry use the time to hold a private memorial to honor his late parents. Harry sadly smiled his appreciation, "Thanks, Hermione. Would you like to join me? I'd rather not be alone. Ron's nice but he's too loud for something like this."

Hermione smiled brightly, "I'd be honored and happy to."

Xxx

Halloween 1992...

'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir beware!'

Once again, Albus' unusual reaction was one of growing curiosity to the other members of the staff when he woodenly strode over to the floo and called for not only the Aurors but also the Unspeakables. "We have a critical situation here. I need you to come up and help evacuate the castle. The Chamber of Secrets has apparently been reopened. I also need the Unspeakables to figure out what to do."

The castle was evacuated, the students' belongings searched (a number of violations were discovered in due course); and the Diarycrux was discovered in the possession of Ginny Weasley. After a rather lengthy discussion with the distraught girl and her parents as well as a memory viewing, Lucius Malfoy was arrested for a host of charges including attempted murder. Those charges were increased after Dobby hinted to the arresting Aurors where Lucius had hidden his darker stash. In the end, Lucius was tried via Veritaserum despite his status as a pureblood, convicted, and tossed through the Veil.

Meanwhile, back at the castle; Albus sat glassy-eyed in his throne while the Unspeakables routed out the Chamber and dealt with the legendary monster.

Behind him, that same figurine shimmered unseen as the Unspeakables and Aurors did their jobs.

Xxx

"Do you think I should tell someone that I heard a voice whispering in the walls?" Harry asked Hermione as they headed to class. After a bit of experimentation, both figured out that Harry was a Parselmouth, a language viewed by many as a mark of a Dark Wizard and associated with Voldemort.

"You could but given the usual knee-jerk reactions wizards tend to have to what they perceive to be 'unnatural' or 'dark'; I don't think that'd be a good idea."

Xxx

Summer before third year...

Sirius Black stared uncomprehendingly at the letter that had appeared before him as he watched his godson sit forlornly on the curb after blowing up that bitch Marge. 'Sirius, Harry needs you now more than ever. Don't sit there like an idiot in the bushes and introduce yourself! After that, get cleaned up and turn yourself in to Amelia Bones, the Director of the MLE. The rat is currently in Egypt with the Weasleys and will return two days from now. Share your memories with Amelia who will do the right thing and get you exonerated properly. Do NOT head to Hogwarts! The Ministry will be sending Dementors to capture you!'

Touching on that Gryffindor bravery, Sirius emerged from the bushes in his human form. Harry spotted him and warily backed up. "Hello, Harry...I, uh...my name's Sirius and I'm your godfather. We need to talk..."

Xxx

Up at Hogwarts, the figurine shimmered yet again causing Albus' eyes to unfocus; he rose to his feet and placed a call to the Minister. "Rather than sending Dementors, why don't you station some Aurors up here at the castle. They'd be more effective than those demons, who frankly would likely target the children of so many influential families. Additionally, it makes you look like an effective leader, Cornelius."

Cornelius thought about it and agreed. "Good idea, I'll put in the call right away. The Aurors can help with any other troubles that might crop up."

Albus nodded distractedly, "You might also want to consider making the posting a permanent position. What would you say about installing an auxiliary station up here at the castle?"

Xxx

Hermione let out a long fortifying breath before stuffing the DoM-issued Time Turner in a protected box in her trunk. Laying on her dresser was a near-identical copy that she would use as a decoy and later 'accidentally' destroy in view of her Head of House.

Xxx

Fourth year, TWT Champion Selection Ceremony...

"Well, this has to be a mistake," Albus announced to the Hall when a fourth scrap of parchment was ejected by the Goblet of Fire. "Harry Potter? No, he's underage so by the power invested in me as Headmaster, Chief Warlock, and Supreme Mugwump; I hereby declare Harry Potter to be disqualified as an entry for the Tri-Wizard Tournament! Director Croaker, if you would please investigate how a fourteen year old could be selected when we already have our three Champions then coordinate with Director Bones on the legal aspects? Thank you. Now! If you'll excuse me, I have to have a chat with the Champions. You're all dismissed, Hufflepuff has a party to plan, no doubt."

Xxx

Summer before 5th year...

"Forget it, Cornelius. There's no way, short of the Founders returning to the school, that I would ever allow Dolores to 'teach' here at Hogwarts. She's unqualified, barely passed her NEWTS, and more importantly; she hates anyone and everyone she deems 'undesirable'. What about an Auror on medical leave or an Unspeakable instead? While they're at it, they could take a look to see if the rumored DADA Curse could be dispelled."

Xxx

Same time, Grimmauld Place...

Hermione closed the book she'd been perusing with a satisfied look on her face. Everything turned out better than she'd hoped for. Sirius got his long-awaited trial and exoneration, Harry's custody was subsequently transferred to him. Harry himself was looking much better now that he no longer had to stay with the Dursleys (who were now serving time in prison for child abuse and other crimes.) The Dark Lord was being hunted by trained personnel thanks to the contract between the DoM and Harry that had 'mysteriously and magically' appeared and signed by both parties.

Best of all, Albus' manipulations had been thoroughly sidelined. "Not this time, you conniving old goat. This time, things will be done right rather than what is easy for the real Greater Good!"

(Up to the author how Hermione deals with Lockhart and Crouch Jr posing as Moody.)

In December, I'll be working on year 2 of The Book of Potter. There'll still be the Hunt for the remaining Horcruxes, but as a subplot; how would you feel if I were to include the fanon headcannon that the Four Founders are really the Pevensie children - Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy?

I haven't figured the particulars beyond that point yet other than the four would meet Harry and Hermione at some point.

Too much? What other subplots would you suggest?

So I wrote a story set during the 'Pioneer era' revolving around a freighter and it's crew. It hasn't gotten much recognition to my everlasting disappointment (I'll leave a link down below.)

Now, my question to all y'all is; what other stories have you discovered that have had low traffic yet are so good that they should've been international headlines?

List them, with a short summary and link in the comments section so we can give the authors the love they deserve.

Xxx

"To Boldly Go"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/77109321

Summary:

Starts ten years after the events of First Contact with the strange aliens known as Vulcans. Earth is still recovering from the devastating loss of life and infrastructure of World War 3.

A daring plan was put in place to start actively colonizing other worlds with the idea that if Earth should fall to its old prejudices, humanity itself will still live on. To do that, and thanks to the pioneering and revolutionary work of Doctor Zefram Cochrane with his incredible 'warp drive'; planets which used to take months if not years or decades to reach, are now within the possibility of settlement in a single person's lifetime.

The first colonizers were sent out into the void. Now it was time to bring in the resupply ships. Massive cargo ships designed to deliver everything a burgeoning settlement needed. For that, the UE formed the United Earth Space Probe Agency (UESPA) to oversee the development and logistics of space exploration.

Our story centers around the maiden voyage and subsequent years of one such colony resupply ship. Her designation is Interplanetary Shipping Agency (ISA) DY-245/MV-1004, but to her crew and those who are serviced by her, she's known as 'Liberty.'

6th year, Gryffindor Tower

"Neville?" The teen in question looked up at the sound his name to see a pensive Harry and Hermione take a seat next to him. "You know the Whomping Willow? That deranged tree down by the lake?"

Neville slowly nodded, "What about it?"

Harry furtively glanced about, "We think we discovered something...unusual about it. You know that trick to calm it down; that knot by the base?"

Again with the slow nod of recognition.

"I don't think it's what we thought it was. It doesn't just freeze it in place," Hermione replied. "It made a slight shiver when I touched it so when I started rubbing it, the Willow suddenly bloomed and flopped over."

Harry twitched, "The funny thing was, the Willow rattled its branches as if sighing." Neville's jaw dropped and his eyes widened as the implications became clear before bolted from the Tower.

Both Harry and Hermione shivered once more with Hermione rising to her feet to head back up her dorm to hopefully take a nap. "I don't think I'll ever be clean again. So much sap..."

I've been experiencing vertigo for the past several months, annoyingly on the same days I get the urge to workout.

I drink plenty of water, limit my salts, and sweets are too damn expensive to bother with. I'm at a loss to explain why I get so damn dizzy the moment I reach for the resistance bands (I'm sure there's a joke somewhere.)

I've been to the doctor but he too, is at loss to explain what's going on.

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've been experiencing vertigo for the past several months, annoyingly on the same days I get the urge to workout.

I drink plenty of water, limit my salts, and sweets are too damn expensive to bother with. I'm at a loss to explain why I get so damn dizzy the moment I reach for the resistance bands (I'm sure there's a joke somewhere.)

I've been to the doctor but he too, is at loss to explain what's going on.

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Were there any episodes where someone or something from the outside, aka real life, accidentally made an unintentional cameo because they wandered onto the set, spotted in the background, or flying overhead?

After hearing the grumpy elf badmouth her one too many times, she cornered Kreacher one evening. "I don't think you understand what you're saying or doing every time you call me a mudblood."

Kreacher paused in his shuffling to peer at her cautiously. "What does the mud..." He trailed off at the hungry look on her face. "What happens when Kreacher calls you that word?"

"Bluntly put, it makes me horny and eventually I'll reach a point where I'm just going to drag you off and have my wicked way with you," she replied with a lascivious grin, prompting Kreacher to gulp nervously.

Xxx

Harry found Hermione later relaxing in the library armed with a bottle of Butterbeer and a thick tome for 'light reading.' "What'd you do to Kreacher? He's acting rather odd, even for an elf."

Shrugging, Hermione replied she was exacting her own brand of justice. "Words have meaning, and Kreacher just learned a lesson about what he says about me."

The characters of my stories turn at the sounds of commotion coming from my door as I burst into my living room wild-eyed and clutching my favorite mug. "Author is a machine! Author doesn't need to sleep! Author has wiiiings!!!"

Author proceeds to slump to the floor unconscious. The characters eye my unmoving (and slightly drooling) carcass with disdain. The lead character of the bulk of my stories sniffs disgustedly, "Looks like he switched coffee brands again and got the Guatemalan blend this time."

The main villain groaned as he reached for my arms, "Oh, great. That means more punishment to me for inane things until he gets used to the caffeine. Someone give me a hand." He scowled at the others when they started applauding. "Wankers, the lot of you."

With a concerted effort, the characters huff, wheeze, and grumble before managing to shove me into a corner where I'll be unlikely to be tripped over then head to one of the adventure stories where the beer is cold and the company is warm.

Harry and/or Hermione come up with a way to change the sound that the House Points Counters give whenever they're activated.

• Slytherin = frightened screams

• Ravenclaw = raucous applause

• Hufflepuff = maniacal laughter

• Gryffindor = lusty moans

The problem for the staff is that the altered enchantments are so fiendishly complex that Albus is forced to bring in the Unspeakables despite his clear reluctance to do so. When the Unspeakables arrive and begin disassembling the counters, they discover that each of the jewels within have been altered to store memories of everything that has transpired under Albus' tenure.

1st year; Harry’s a crafty little stinker

Hermione peered over Harry’s shoulder as the black-haired boy shoved a large bundle of what appeared to be leather into a tub of hot water. "What're you up to, Harry?"

Harry sat up and brushed his hair out of his face. A wide grin spread, "I'm going to prank the school in general, and the headmaster specifically."

"Okay, how and why?"

Harry gestured to the tub, "I'm going to make an ordinary box look like a demon book. Given how obsessed Dumbledore is with keeping everything looking pretty because 'how things might look' to outsiders; I thought I'd play to his biggest fears. Halloween is approaching, and what better time is there to scare someone?"

Hermione let out an exasperated huff but continued watching as Harry explained the next step.

Xxx

Word spread as it usually did within the stone walls of Hogwarts and before too long, 'everyone knew' that Harry Potter was delving into Dark Magic. He was seen carrying around a dark leather book with an odd decoration on the front, and every now and then he would stop, read or write something within, reach into the book then pop something into his mouth and carry on like nothing had ever happened.

Xxx

Albus was growing worried. Based on the reports from the portraits, the boy was rapidly growing Dark. "Could the Horcrux inside his head be influencing him?"

Minerva sat in her chair subconsciously purring to herself while watching her boss work himself into a tizzy. She'd already confronted Harry and was brought into the joke. Filius noticed her amusement and nudged her. "What's so funny?"

"Harry's pranking the headmaster."

Severus overheard and shuffled over, "Potter against Albus? This I've got to hear."

So it fell to Minerva to quietly fill in her colleagues on Harry's plan. By the time she'd finished, the usually dour man was cracking up laughing, "Serves him right. Any idea when Potter plans on springing the punchline?"

"Last time I talked to him, he was planning on Halloween."

Xxx

Halloween...

Albus stared at Harry during the Feast. His blood pressure spiked every time he saw the boy reach for that damned book. "Albus, if that book unnerves you that much, why not just go investigate and settle the matter once and for all?" Minerva nudged him.

"Professors?" Harry had 'magically' appeared when Albus wasn't looking. "I thought the Headmaster might like to try a sample of this new sweet I've been developing. They're devilishly delicious!"

Albus' eyes grew wide at what he'd heard, "Harry, my boy; that book needs to be destroyed! It's making you turn Dark."

Harry guilelessly examined his hands, "I'm too pale to be going dark, and there's no sun lamps here." Filius was heard chuckling at his quip.

"Do you deny writing in that demon book and eating things out of it?" Albus worried.

"No, I did that. I don't know what the problem is, those funny little creatures said the sweets would be alright."

Finally deciding enough was enough, Albus snatched to book out of Harry's hands only to stop, perplexed when the 'book' turned out to be a leather-wrapped box of some kind with a fake eye peering out. When he opened it up, he found a handwritten note with a list of available sweets that read, "To order more, contact Fluxy down in the Hogwarts kitchens. To the Headmaster, Mischief Managed."

1st year; Harry’s a crafty little stinker

Hermione peered over Harry’s shoulder as the black-haired boy shoved a large bundle of what appeared to be leather into a tub of hot water. "What're you up to, Harry?"

Harry sat up and brushed his hair out of his face. A wide grin spread, "I'm going to prank the school in general, and the headmaster specifically."

"Okay, how and why?"

Harry gestured to the tub, "I'm going to make an ordinary box look like a demon book. Given how obsessed Dumbledore is with keeping everything looking pretty because 'how things might look' to outsiders; I thought I'd play to his biggest fears. Halloween is approaching, and what better time is there to scare someone?"

Hermione let out an exasperated huff but continued watching as Harry explained the next step.

Xxx

Word spread as it usually did within the stone walls of Hogwarts and before too long, 'everyone knew' that Harry Potter was delving into Dark Magic. He was seen carrying around a dark leather book with an odd decoration on the front, and every now and then he would stop, read or write something within, reach into the book then pop something into his mouth and carry on like nothing had ever happened.

Xxx

Albus was growing worried. Based on the reports from the portraits, the boy was rapidly growing Dark. "Could the Horcrux inside his head be influencing him?"

Minerva sat in her chair subconsciously purring to herself while watching her boss work himself into a tizzy. She'd already confronted Harry and was brought into the joke. Filius noticed her amusement and nudged her. "What's so funny?"

"Harry's pranking the headmaster."

Severus overheard and shuffled over, "Potter against Albus? This I've got to hear."

So it fell to Minerva to quietly fill in her colleagues on Harry's plan. By the time she'd finished, the usually dour man was cracking up laughing, "Serves him right. Any idea when Potter plans on springing the punchline?"

"Last time I talked to him, he was planning on Halloween."

Xxx

Halloween...

Albus stared at Harry during the Feast. His blood pressure spiked every time he saw the boy reach for that damned book. "Albus, if that book unnerves you that much, why not just go investigate and settle the matter once and for all?" Minerva nudged him.

"Professors?" Harry had 'magically' appeared when Albus wasn't looking. "I thought the Headmaster might like to try a sample of this new sweet I've been developing. They're devilishly delicious!"

Albus' eyes grew wide at what he'd heard, "Harry, my boy; that book needs to be destroyed! It's making you turn Dark."

Harry guilelessly examined his hands, "I'm too pale to be going dark, and there's no sun lamps here." Filius was heard chuckling at his quip.

"Do you deny writing in that demon book and eating things out of it?" Albus worried.

"No, I did that. I don't know what the problem is, those funny little creatures said the sweets would be alright."

Finally deciding enough was enough, Albus snatched to book out of Harry's hands only to stop, perplexed when the 'book' turned out to be a leather-wrapped box of some kind with a fake eye peering out. When he opened it up, he found a handwritten note with a list of available sweets that read, "To order more, contact Fluxy down in the Hogwarts kitchens. To the Headmaster, Mischief Managed."

September 1980; Saint Mungo’s

Word traveled fast, especially given the gossipy nature of the hospital's nurses and Healers. Auror James Potter and his wife were grieving over the sudden death of their son, Harry from SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. "The poor dears," one nurse remarked. "Little Harry suffocated because a stuffed bunny was too close to his face while he slept."

Albus was floored, his Grand Plan to control the Prophecised Child after the inevitable (and lamentable) deaths of the elder Potters vanished like free whiskey at a wedding. "Well, there's always the alternate." Unfortunately for him, the Longbottoms had circled their proverbial wagons and hunkered down behind their family wards, permitting no one not of blood inside and even then, there were rumors of extra protection that would've made Alastor Moody nod with approval.

"Forget it, I'm not about to tangle with a vengeful Augusta Longbottom if I don't need to," he surmised when he learned of their implementation.

Xxx

Voldemort was floored as well. His Grand Plan to eliminate the Prophecised Child had been wrenched from his grasp. He was at a loss at how to proceed from there and decided to back off from making any more attacks for a little while. His spies had also informed him of the Longbottoms disposition, prompting him to hold off until he could sort out this startling development. This decision cost him dearly when a multi-page expose of his past was published by the Department of Mysteries outlining who he'd been born to, revealing that he wasn't a pureblood but in fact was the half-blood bastard child between a Squib mother from a notoriously unstable family and a muggle father! On top of that, it was revealed that Lord Voldemort aka Tom Marvolo Riddle (the expose demonstrated how his sobriquet was created from an anagram) had headlined in the Hogwarts Hasty Pudding cabaret during his time at Hogwarts. There were even undeniable color photos as evidence!

Once the Heads of the Traditionalist Families saw them, they started pulling their support until all he was left with were useless minions from the absolute dregs of society.

Xxx

Halloween 1980...

Minerva stopped by Godric's Hollow to see how James and Lily were holding up. James couldn't help the snickers of laughter that bubbled up when his former Head of House slowly blinked like her namesake in befuddlement at the sight of Lily cradling a sleeping Harry in her arms. "When we learned that the Dark Lord was after our son because of that blasted prophecy, we knew we had to find a way to circumvent it."

"So who...how..." Minerva began but faltered.

Lily held up a plush toy, "We transfigured one of his toys and hid Harry with James' parents until a couple of days ago when the shock of the news finally passed."

"So the Prophecy..."

"Uttered by a Sybil Trelawney to Albus and overheard by Snape," James answered. "Through one of Lily’s contacts in the DoM, we learned that Sybil has only a tenuous talent in Divination through her Great Aunt Cassandra. Sybil usually earnt her living by performing with traveling circuses but was let go due to her rampant alcoholism."

"What happens now?"

James' face was set and his tone resolute, "The prophecy is still in play but now it'll be accomplished on our terms. We refuse to let Albus or Moldy Snot dictate our futures because of the ramblings of a drunken fraud."

Minerva sharply nodded her approval, her eyes glowed with determination. "How can I help?"