I just had a flash of inspiration...

[Bob Schroeck]

I always got the feeling that the wizards don't want to realize that they're in a war.  It's just a few rogue elements, and we wouldn't really need to kill anyone.  That, of course, doesn't apply to the other side, which is how we know they're Evil.  We definitely wouldn't wantonly kill non-muggles.  No, our side of civilization simply sends wizards to years of terror in Azkaban, where they can learn the error of their ways betwixt the screaming.

Doug on the other hand will, and his relative eagerness to employ lethal methods against people trying to kill him will shock the wizards around him.

Heh.

"Albus, don't be a damned fool. There is a major moral difference
between murder and killing an enemy in self-defense or the defense
of others. Even the great religions make the distinction,
regardless of how later translators may have muddied the issue."

Albus frowned. "One cannot remain of the Light and take the life
of another person."

I made a chopping motion with my hand. "That's bullshit, and I'm
surprised you believe it. To take the life of another out of
simple hatred, or for personal gain, or for *pleasure* -- yeah,
these are evil acts. But taking down someone who is about to
kill or torture another, there is no evil there."

"I'm sure that your history as a soldier leads you to believe..."
Albus began condescendingly.

"Screw my history," I interrupted him. "Look at the *math*, if
nothing else. If your enemy kills one of you in every encounter,
and all you do is inconvenience them, your side is gonna run out
of folks a *lot* faster than theirs will."

Albus leaned forward. "We cannot claim to be of the right if we
abandon our ethics and civilization to lower ourselves to their
level. We must testify to the superiority of our position by
tempering our defense with unalloyed mercy, for the enemy you
kill is the enemy who cannot repent." He leaned back and sternly
added, "And it is better by far that we die than betray the
ethics that guide us."

I stared incredulously at him. "You can *not* be serious."

Albus stared down his broken nose at me. "I assure you, Douglas,
I am."

I snorted. "Then this is only some kind of sick game for you,
and you can't really intend to defeat Voldemort. Handicapping
your forces in that way *guarantees* he will win, because your
people will die by violence *much* faster than his will by
accident, disease or old age.

"Refusing to defend yourself to your full ability in the face of
evil is suicidal foolishness, Albus -- and I can tell you from
certain knowledge that in the afterlife the gods punish fools as
harshly as they punish the evil."

"Nevertheless, Douglas, I forbid you to advocate lethal measures
to the children."

"No."

He blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"What I said. No. I will not stop."

"Douglas..."

"I will not censor my lessons because *you* are squeamish. I
would be betraying my students and guaranteeing their deaths at
the hands of *your* enemies."

"If you do not comply with my request, Douglas, I will be forced to
terminate your contract."

"You and I both know you won't do that."

"Pray tell, why?'

"Umbridge."

Albus grimaced.

I nodded. "I'm the only thing keeping her in check, mainly by
making myself a bigger target than you or Potter, and by using my
metatalents to thwart her where I can. You kick me out of the
castle, she not only gets free rein to make your life *and*
Potter's hell, the Ministry will slot her right into the Defense
professorship. We both know that you don't want that."

He gritted his teeth. "No. I do not," he ground out
reluctantly.

Also that 3D render of fighting in a bullet hell is freaking amazing!

It is, isn't it?