Dumbledore needs a sharp slap upside the head, preferably with a nine-iron!

Yes-without the author's thumb on the scales, Harry's number would have been up any number of times in any kind of real situation. Of *course* Voldemort would be that vicious; he's the BAD GUY, hello!

I see the Snape is doing some damage control here-and I do not think Dumbledore will be able to get around Augusta Longbottom now that she's been properly warned. I also think that Snape will discover a way to leave the building before his Dark Mark starts hurting again.

I agree that Dumbledore's plan to 'test' Harry (because the so-called defences were clearly not meant for the adult wizard) is insane, and Harry's death makes sense.

Dumbledore took so many chances that his "plan" would work out that something like this doesn't surprise me. I never felt like he cared for anything other than that vague "for the better good." Everyone was a pawn and expendable - even Harry Potter.

I liked it. Very plausible. I would be curious to see how this scenario would play out were it not a one-shot.

Yeah but I know what Neville's family emergency was. Get him out of Hogwarts and away from Dumbledore. I'll bet Madam Longbottom was surprised by the 'family emergency' too.

An interesting story and a well done twist to the usual.

A very interesting proposition and well-written. Thank you.

It's a damn shame that this is a one-shot. Because frankly it's fantastic... Maybe someone someday will take this the whole 9 yards. Oh, well, "leave 'em wanting more". Thumbs up, damn good story. :DD

Very interesting idea! I really like the idea of one of Dumbledore's bets going wrong. Voldemort's plan is sufficiently nasty. This is very well written as well.

Very interesting! I liked it!

Let's not forget that the only reason the books worked out the way they did, or rather his 'plans', is because snape and Harry hated each other. (had snape and Harry even liked each other a little then the plans would have failed) Now that snape doesn't seem to hate Nevile; Albus' plans won't work and they could loose this war.

Oh and lets not forget that he no longer can manipulate snape using lily so his plans won't work because of that either. No more 'green/her eyes' to manipulate and guilt trip him with anymore. Plus snape has finally seen his cruelty and is no longer going to fall for your cheap explanations. After all, had snape been more mature (albus kept him immature for a reason. Easier to mould and do with as you please) and starved for fatherly affection, then he would have been like 'hell no this is stupid and I'm out'. So Albus has fucked himself over.

Ah the wonder of author convenience and insane amounts of luck. :)

Dumbledore's plans work through authorial contrivance, of course. Who needs lucky sevens when you have the author pulling the strings for you?