I got this idea while watching The Beast of Yucca Flats.

What if Harry got exposed to a nearly-but-not-quite lethal dose of radiation, possibly from an A-bomb test explosion(like in the film), nuclear plant accident, toxic waste, that had a weird reaction with his magic, possibly (*hint* *hint*) enhancing it to unprecedented levels; however, the radiation also affects his brain, turning him into a psychotic beast with a desire to kill. This can happen either before he goes to Hogwarts, or after he is already there, with precedented canon.
The only form rule I have to impose is that you don't start the story with half the plot already happened and then use background exposition to tell us what happened. I hate that stuff.

 

I don't see how a change in genetic structure could affect a person mentally to the point of becoming psychotic. Sure, a change in genetic makeup can probably induce magic to become stronger or run wild out of control but the mental process? I don't think so. For him to go psychotic because he got hit by radiation is unrealistic. For a person to go psychotic something in his head has to snap. It can be caused by too much pressure (ex. Voldemort sneaking up his ass every single year).
However, this idea could be possible if for example Harry was a narcissist and him getting hit by radiation deformed his face or body. Then he'd go miserable and make every feel the pain he suffers. That could go well. A little bit more info would be nice.

 

Just think he couldn't take the magic overload.

 

Could make him slightly disfigured from the blast of radiation. Thus starts searching for a magical way to re-invent his body.

(Bone of the father, Flesh of the servant, Blood of the enemy)

Slowly sending him down the path of darkness.

 

Meh, so many reasons to 'slowly go down the dark path.' I want to see if this can be used to do more than that.

Already so many plot devices out there that make him go dark, I want to know more about what's different about this one.

Sure coming up with an original reason for him to go dark is well and good but then what? world domination? liberal crucios, AKs, pureblood/mudblood rape...beginning to sound like a broken record.

Edit: Though, I think Mordac said he'd be psychotic - that could possibly be given a comical turn, lots of dark humor etc.

 

Well, radiation does kill brain cells pretty well. You could have it be purely physical, i.e. the radiation destroys the part of his brain that controls empathy or self restraint. Add that to the overlord of magic and you've got a perfect explanation for a psychotic, uber powerful, Harry. Plus, I've never seen many fics that involve nukes going off... Could work pretty well.

I'd suggest him getting exposed to it during GoF - maybe have the portkey malfunction and have him transported near to an atomic test site, not close enough to be incinerated, but enough to disfigure/brain damage him.

I wouldn't suggest taking him to Hogwarts straight away, maybe have him go off on a killing spree and him slowly working his way to the castle. You could have Voldemort/Dumbledore trying to track him, but his magic blocks their attempts, or postpones it until he's left the area, that way you can have them slowly realise what's happened to him and for Voldemort to try and recruit him, and Dumbledore to try and fix him.

The main question is how you would write it, first person? Second person? With a narrator? I'd suggest second person with side shots to Albus & Voldemort.

Damn my mind goes in weird directions... Anyhow, good little challenge, hope to see someone take it up.

Aekiel

 

I really like most of these ideas, but are you sure you mean second person?
As for where he could be transported--if I'm not mistaken, that time in the canon timeline is around where the French were doing nuclear tests in the pacific, isn't it? I think that'd work great. How'd he get back though?

 

Expanding on that, you could have the portkey pull him through 'ground zero' of the blast on its way to the graveyard. Since you're slightly out of synch with the rest of reality when you're traveling by portkey (yes, I just made that up), he doesn't get incinerated but he does get irradiated. That's one of the reasons nuclear bombs are so destructive; they disrupt matter and energy on all frequencies, so to speak, including the one you're on while portkeying (yup, made that up too).

Also, you could use the above but have the portkey get disrupted in transit, dumping him right at ground zero and simply let the prophecy keep him alive so he can meet his destiny.

I imagine the experience of getting incinerated, blown apart, atomized and generally annihilated, only to have The Power of The Prophecy put him back together again (co-opting the power of the blast into his magic in the process) would be horrific enough to drive anyone insane.

And what of poor Cedric? Fate doesn't need his sorry ass and chucks his soul out, whilst adding his magic to Harry's. Gee whiz... as if Harry wasn't carrying around enough guilt. Maybe Diggory gets reduced to a presence in the back of his head that does nothing but scream bloody murder because it is forever locked in the agonizing moment of its death. That would drive me nuts...

And if he sucks in enough energy from the blast and the muggles notice this, do they follow him to Hogwarts? If so, does all hell break loose?