A Word of Advice

Follow the Dumbledore Path!
Pandora Black (Gryffindor)

I am well aware that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released more than a year ago, and that is more or less the time I’ve been clinging to some desperate hope that our favourite Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, would pull a Gandalf and come back to us in Book 7. However, it seems that Jo’s pen isn’t going to please my wishes, and so it is time to accept that the one we always thought would be there for Harry is now gone. But if we admit to his death and merely forget him, his “life” (so to speak) will have been a waste of time. The other day, while rereading Goblet of Fire, I came across one of his most useful quotes.

“Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.” (GoF, 784-785).

I am sure that the moment we read these words, we all thought, “Oh, how good, how true.” The question is, are we capable of going beyond admiring those words to act in accordance with them?

There is a reason for everything. Nobody likes doing things “just because” or “because I say so." It’s about deciding for ourselves, and not being afraid of making the right choice (with the consequences that may come, whether they be good or bad). Like Dumbledore says, there comes a time in life when we must choose between what’s right and what’s easy and, sadly, many people prefer to do what is easier for them.

Should we defend a classmate who’s being harassed (to put an example) because it’d be the right thing to do, or should we stand back and do nothing because it will save us from later retaliation? Anyone can choose the first option now that it’s not a real problem, but only the brave can act on that choice when the time comes. Most people will be afraid to take the right path (the Dumbledore path, shall we say) and might do something wrong instead; they are convinced that harassing others is a guarantee of not being harassed oneself.

From among the oppressed, someone brave will stand up and fight back, but meanwhile, the person who made the easy choice will be eaten inside by regret--useless regret that won’t help anyone anymore. Sadly, it may not even make us choose the right path next time a dilemma is presented. And that small regret will be drowned by the voice of guilt trying to convince us that we really couldn’t have done any other thing – that we chose the only option available. Maybe the other option wasn’t visible because it’s so sparely chosen in some cases.

The coward will keep lying to himself, only because he is afraid of the truth, and the lies let him fall asleep at night and look at himself in the mirror the morning after. Fear limits opportunity, as the saying goes, but we must overcome it to be happy one day. It takes courage to take the right path, but it takes even more to go out of the easy one and change to the Dumbledore path. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to remember Cedric from time to time, to remember that the brave person isn’t the one who has no fear, but the one who has fear and tries to overcome it.

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A Word of Advice




Notes The Alte Sententiam is Ravenclaw's running newspaper. Alte Sententiam means 'Higher Thoughts' and its current co-editors-in-chief are Chloe Fairchilde and Cassandra Lobiesk. Articles Cat, Rat, or Toad? New Eagle Professors Language is Not a Problem Scientifics Follow the Dumbledore Path! Colours and Magic Reviews Did Dilana Get More Out of the Deal? Puzzles Specials These ads have been provided by Professor Ulol Kimil, please contact him if you have any information on the missing objects. Lost: Rhi's Brain Lost: Cassie's Brain Info Updates Archives FAQ Staff The Roost HOL Points The points breakdown is as follows (per issue): Article Submission: 5 points for each published (not to exceed 20) Graphics Submission: 5 points for each published (not to exceed 20) Editors: Up to 30 points	A Word of Advice Follow the Dumbledore Path! Pandora Black (Gryffindor) I am well aware that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released more than a year ago, and that is more or less the time I’ve been clinging to some desperate hope that our favourite Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, would pull a Gandalf and come back to us in Book 7. However, it seems that Jo’s pen isn’t going to please my wishes, and so it is time to accept that the one we always thought would be there for Harry is now gone. But if we admit to his death and merely forget him, his “life” (so to speak) will have been a waste of time. The other day, while rereading Goblet of Fire, I came across one of his most useful quotes. “Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.” (GoF, 784-785). I am sure that the moment we read these words, we all thought, “Oh, how good, how true.” The question is, are we capable of going beyond admiring those words to act in accordance with them? There is a reason for everything. Nobody likes doing things “just because” or “because I say so." It’s about deciding for ourselves, and not being afraid of making the right choice (with the consequences that may come, whether they be good or bad). Like Dumbledore says, there comes a time in life when we must choose between what’s right and what’s easy and, sadly, many people prefer to do what is easier for them. Should we defend a classmate who’s being harassed (to put an example) because it’d be the right thing to do, or should we stand back and do nothing because it will save us from later retaliation? Anyone can choose the first option now that it’s not a real problem, but only the brave can act on that choice when the time comes. Most people will be afraid to take the right path (the Dumbledore path, shall we say) and might do something wrong instead; they are convinced that harassing others is a guarantee of not being harassed oneself. From among the oppressed, someone brave will stand up and fight back, but meanwhile, the person who made the easy choice will be eaten inside by regret--useless regret that won’t help anyone anymore. Sadly, it may not even make us choose the right path next time a dilemma is presented. And that small regret will be drowned by the voice of guilt trying to convince us that we really couldn’t have done any other thing – that we chose the only option available. Maybe the other option wasn’t visible because it’s so sparely chosen in some cases. The coward will keep lying to himself, only because he is afraid of the truth, and the lies let him fall asleep at night and look at himself in the mirror the morning after. Fear limits opportunity, as the saying goes, but we must overcome it to be happy one day. It takes courage to take the right path, but it takes even more to go out of the easy one and change to the Dumbledore path. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to remember Cedric from time to time, to remember that the brave person isn’t the one who has no fear, but the one who has fear and tries to overcome it.