Challenge #2:

Summery: Totalitarian wizarding government headed by Grindelwald and Dumbledore as joint holders of the Hallows, a Dark!Harry raised by a weakening and haunted Dumbledore, Enforcer/pawn!Tom Riddle working mostly for Grindelwald more so than Dumbledore, at war with Nicholas Flamel-lead patches of resistance.

Rules:
-Both Grindelwald and Dumbledore should be more or less competent if egotistical due to their continual success, but the personalities should be similar enough to how they were in their youth- rational, willing to do what must be done for their vision to go through no matter the cost, so on and so forth, until roughly the point where Dumbledore learns of the prophecy. Then more of the canon Dumbledore would start to emerge.
-Riddle isn't Voldemort, and he hasn't learned of nor had the chance to create even one Horcrux. He's cruel, conniving, and takes pleasure at ruining the lives of anyone lesser than himself. Fairly loyal to Grindelwald more so than Dumbledore.
-Hogwarts or anywhere else can serve as their base of operations in Britain/Scotland, but no Ministry of Magic exists by now.
-Muggles have been subjugated in said locations and due to continual war going on the advancements they should have made in technology haven't occurred, while magical society has progressed to some degree.
-Eventual heel-face-turn optional, and Dark!Harry proceeding to eradicate the resistances as successor to the throne would make as good a read as trying to fight for them.

If you'd like a more in-depth explanation for this, here it is from the Plot Bunny thread at page 19:

Unimpeded, Dumbledore and Grindelwald did do what they dreamed of in their youth and unite the Hallows over time, with the foreigner taking control of Aberforth and Ariana via Imperius before things could reach the canon implosive point after the younger Dumbledore tries to persuade his brother not to take Ariana along on the trip.

Without the death of his sister Albus doesn't come to his senses in time and goes along with the dark thoughts.

They took over, ruling for seventy or so years, and have had to put up with constant assault from other wizarding countries and individuals strong enough to fight them.

Flamel was among them and the descendants of the Potter line who were robbed of the Cloak united with him and others to figure out what could be done to prevent their country from sinking into such destruction and tyranny.

Dumbledore himself grew weak with guilt in his older age and actually assisted in the effort to some degree, partly sabotaging the very thing he had built over time due to regret for the lives sacrificed.

One way or another, with little scraps of aide and the rallying of forces, James Potter manages to wrest control of the Cloak as its proper master from their hands shortly before the enforcer of their armies, Tom Riddle, tracks down and kills him and his wife.

Cue prophecy, up-raising of Harry by Dumbledore and Grindelwald to fight against the rebels, and eventual heel-face-turn as he learns of his heritage and the prophecy and that the vicious asshat who supervised his training, Riddle, was the one to kill his parents.

Harry manages with Dumbledore's hidden teachings to overcome Riddle and defeat, but not kill him, as he keeps the other man hostage to the wording of the prophecy; no one else can kill they two, and at that time frame in the world its useful for when the true battles must be fought.

Eventually Dumbledore passes the Stone on before he is killed by Grindelwald for betrayal, and after a long series of back and forth struggling coupled with the rest of the rebels aiding him, Harry is able to break into the stronghold and face down Grindelwald himself. What becomes of either is up to you.

 

There is a plot bunny thread as well as a the thank god your here DLP thread. No point in making another one.

 

The sub-forum is titled 'Challenges'. This thread is a challenge, therefore it is pertinent.

 

Someone should make a play at this - could be pretty sweet.

 

It sounds ok. There is the potential for a really good story there, but it would be a vast vast epic, and those are always difficult to get right.

Also, why the spoiler tags? Its a challenge thread...if someone is going to consider taking it up then they need to read the entire background. And its not like the story is really going to be spoiled for anyone if the read this thread as it will no doubt end up different.